"a child in relation to parents, of either sex, Jn. 4:51; a child in respect of age, either male or female, and of all ages from infancy up to manhood, a boy, youth, girl, maiden, Mt. 2:16; 17:18; Lk. 2:43; 8:54; a servant, slave, Mt. 8:6, 8, 13, cf. v. 9; Lk. 7:7, cf. v. 3, 10; a..."
Definition and meaning
a child in relation to parents, of either sex, Jn. 4:51; a child in respect of age, either male or female, and of all ages from infancy up to manhood, a boy, youth, girl, maiden, Mt. 2:16; 17:18; Lk. 2:43; 8:54; a servant, slave, Mt. 8:6, 8, 13, cf. v. 9; Lk. 7:7, cf. v. 3, 10; an attendant, minister, Mt. 14:2; Lk. 1:69; Acts 4:25; also, Lk. 1:54; or, perhaps, a child in respect of fatherly regard
In the original Greek the word is written: παῖς
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 pais (G3816) across the King James Bible.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
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Common questions
Strong's G3816 (pais) is a Greek word that means: a child in relation to parents, of either sex, Jn. 4:51; a child in respect of age, either male or female, and of all ages from infancy up to manhood, a boy, youth, girl, maiden, Mt. 2:16; 17:18; Lk. ... It appears 24 times in the King James Bible.
The word pais (G3816) appears 24 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3816 is pais, a Greek word defined as: a child in relation to parents, of either sex, Jn. 4:51; a child in respect of age, either male or female, and of all ages from infancy up to manhood,. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pais is a Greek word found in the New Testament.