Original Word: πενθερά
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: penthera
Pronunciation: pen-ther-AH
Phonetic Spelling: (pen-ther-ah')
Definition: mother-in-law
Meaning: a mother-in-law.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word πενθερός (pentheros), meaning "father-in-law."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "penthera," the concept of in-laws is present in the Old Testament, such as חֹתֵן (choten) for "father-in-law" and חֲמוֹת (chamot) for "mother-in-law."

Usage: The term "penthera" is used in the New Testament to refer specifically to a mother-in-law, the mother of one's spouse. It appears in contexts that highlight familial relationships and the dynamics within a household.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman world, family structures were patriarchal and extended, often including multiple generations living together. The role of a mother-in-law was significant, as she was typically involved in the domestic and social upbringing of the family. The relationship between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law or son-in-law could be complex, influenced by cultural expectations and personal dynamics.

Word Origin
fem. of pentheros
Definition
a mother-in-law
NASB Translation
mother-in-law (6).

STRONGS NT 3994: πενθερά

πενθερά, πενθερᾶς, ἡ (feminine of πενθερός, which see), a mother-in-law, a wife's mother: Matthew 8:14; Matthew 10:35; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38; Luke 12:53. (Demosthenes, Plutarch, Lucian, others; the Sept. for חָמות.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

a mother-in-law

Feminine of pentheros; a wife's mother -- mother in law, wife's mother.

see GREEK pentheros

Forms and Transliterations

πενθερα πενθερά πενθερὰ πενθεραν πενθεράν πενθερὰν πενθερας πενθεράς πενθερᾶς penthera pentherà pentheran pentherán pentheràn pentheras pentherâs

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