UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: child

Semantic entry: 9.42

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Children

Definition: (diminutive of παῖς[a] ‘child,’ 9.41: παῖς, but in the NT παιδίον[a] has seemingly lost at least most of this diminutive force, but may have retained some implications of affectionate concern or interest) a child, normally below the age of puberty

Sense 2: child, offspring

Semantic entry: 10.37

Semantic domains: Kinship Terms

Subdomains: Kinship Relations Involving Successive Generations

Definition: (diminutive of παῖς [source selector 000001][b] ‘child,’ 10.36: παῖς / 10.36: τέκνον, but with the loss of at least most of the diminutive meaning) one’s immediate offspring

Notes: One need not assume in RV LUK 11:7 · LV LUK 11:7 · Read together LUK 11:7 that the children were in the same bed with their father. One may render this passage simply as ‘I have gone to bed and so have my children’ or ‘I am already in bed and so are my children,’ but see 6.108: κοίτη.

Sense 3: my child, my dear friend, my dear man, my dear one, my dear lad

Semantic entry: 9.46

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Persons For Whom There Is Affectionate Concern

Definition: (extension of meaning of παιδίον[a] ‘child,’ 9.42: παιδάριον / 9.42: παιδίον) a person of any age for whom there is a special relationship of endearment and association

Notes: In a number of languages παιδία in RV JHN 21:5 · LV JHN 21:5 · Read together JHN 21:5 is better rendered as ‘my good friends’ or ‘my dear friends’ or ‘my dear comrades.’ In this context, not age, but the connotation of affection and endearment is in focus.