"pr. not speaking, Latin infans; an infant, babe, child, Mt. 21:16; 1 Cor. 13:11; one below the age of manhood, a minor, Gal. 4:1; met. a babe in knowledge, unlearned, simple, Mt. 11:25; Rom. 2:20"
Definition and meaning
pr. not speaking, Latin infans; an infant, babe, child, Mt. 21:16; 1 Cor. 13:11; one below the age of manhood, a minor, Gal. 4:1; met. a babe in knowledge, unlearned, simple, Mt. 11:25; Rom. 2:20
In the original Greek the word is written: νήπιος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of nepios (G3516) across the King James Bible.
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
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Common questions
Strong's G3516 (nepios) is a Greek word that means: pr. not speaking, Latin infans; an infant, babe, child, Mt. 21:16; 1 Cor. 13:11; one below the age of manhood, a minor, Gal. 4:1; met. a babe in knowledge, unlearned, simple, Mt. 11:25; Rom. 2:20 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word nepios (G3516) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3516 is nepios, a Greek word defined as: pr. not speaking, Latin infans; an infant, babe, child, Mt. 21:16; 1 Cor. 13:11; one below the age of manhood, a minor, Gal. 4:1; met. a babe in knowl. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
nepios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.