Theós

Theós, written in Greek as Θεός, is the standard term for a god or deity in ancient and modern Greek. In classical and Hellenistic Greek, the word is used to refer to any divine being, whether Olympian, local, or personified force. The plural form Theoi (Θεοί) denotes the gods collectively.

In everyday Greek mythology and religion, Θεός can describe individual deities as well as the general concept of divinity. The term appears across a wide range of genres, from epic and tragedy to philosophy, where it can denote a personal god or, in some contexts, a more abstract or universal divine principle. Theodicy, fate, and moral order are often discussed in relation to the divine.

In religious contexts, the Greek term is also used to translate the Hebrew and Christian concept of God. In Koine Greek, Θεός is the word used for the God of Israel and later for the Christian God, forming a core element of theological vocabulary in the early Christian and Byzantine worlds. The name Θεός continues to be used in Modern Greek, where it means “God,” with Θεοί (Theí) meaning “gods.”

Etymology generally traces Θεός to ancient Greek, with its semantic range expanding through literature, philosophy, and religion. The concept has influenced Western theological and philosophical discussions, contributing to terms such as theology (theologia) and the study of divine beings and their nature.

See also: Theonyms, Olympian gods, monotheism, theology.