GENDER-SPECIFIC NOUNS

The original languages of the Bible, Hebrew and Greek, were very gender specific. Some examples in the Greek, for instance, are as follows:

Theos is the masculine word for “God,” so there is no doubt that the supreme Deity is a heavenly Father. The word for “goddess” would be Thea. Likewise, the word for “saint” is the masculine hagios. If a holy female were intended, the word would be hagia. When these differences are not recognized in English translations, something of the original intent of the author is lost. Taking liberties with gender may be acceptable in some cases, but those translations that do away with it entirely are not faithful to the scriptural text.

English is largely free of gender-specific nouns, but there are a few examples where masculine and feminine terms are employed.

Aviator versus Aviatrix

Mediator versus Mediatrix

God versus Goddess

Priest versus Priestess

Prior versus Prioress

Manager versus Manageress

Mayor versus Mayoress

Major versus Majorette

Antione versus Antoinette