Boy

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

BOY ( the word).—In the Authorized Version this word does not occur in the Gospels, nor indeed in NT, and only three times in OT ( Genesis 25:27,  Joel 3:3,  Zechariah 8:5). We usually have ‘male child’ for a very young boy, and ‘lad’ for an older one, where ‘boy’ would be used in modern English. And Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 has retained the older use in most cases.

But there is in modern English an ambiguous use of ‘boy.’ It sometimes approximates to the sense of ‘servant’ (cf. ‘doctor’s boy’), and in some of our colonies is used of a native male servant irrespective of age. A ‘boy’ in this sense may be grey-headed. This force of the word made it suitable as a rendering of παῖς in certain cases. In  Matthew 8:5-13 =  Luke 7:2-10, the centurion’s servant is sometimes described as a δοῦλος ((Revised Version margin), ‘bond-servant’) and sometimes as a παῖς ((Revised Version margin), ‘boy’). Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 text keeps the Authorized Version ‘servant’ throughout for both words. A comparison of  Matthew 8:13 with  Luke 7:10 shows that the two words apply to the same person. It is in the centurion’s own speech ( Matthew 8:6-8 =  Luke 7:7) that he refers to the slave who was ‘precious unto him’ ( Luke 7:2 (Revised Version margin)) by the milder word. The narrative (except  Matthew 8:13) uses δοῦλος, as the centurion himself does in  Matthew 8:9,  Luke 7:8. The variation is either a natural simple touch, proving the veracity of the narrative, or it is an instance of the highest art. See art. Servant.

As in the above instance παῖς = δοῦλος, so in the narrative of the healing of the epileptic child ( Matthew 17:14-18,  Mark 9:14-27,  Luke 9:37-43) we find in St. Matthew and St. Luke (not St. Mark) that παῖς can = υἱός. Here  Matthew 17:18,  Luke 9:42 Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 have ‘boy’ in the text, for the Authorized Version ‘child.’ Similar is the use in  Luke 8:51-54, where ἡ παῖς is ‘maiden’ and ‘maid’ in Authorized and Revised Versions.

Except where the context requires a different rendering, παῖς is usually translated ‘servant’ in both versions, and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 often points out occurrences of δοῦλος by putting ‘ or bond-servant’ in the margin.

In  John 4:51 both versions have ‘son’ (= παῖς) where Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 had far better have put ‘boy’ as in the above instance, keeping ‘son’ strictly for υἱός.

George Farmer.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Παῖς (Strong'S #3816 — Noun — pais — paheece )

denotes "a boy" (in contrast to paidion, a diminutive of pais, and to teknon, "a child"). With reference to Christ, instead of the AV "child," the RV suitably translates otherwise as follows:  Luke 2:43 , "the boy Jesus;"  Acts 4:27,30 , "The Holy Servant, Jesus." So in the case of others,  Matthew 17:18;  Luke 9:42 ("boy"). See Child , Maid , Manservant , Servant , Son , Young Man

King James Dictionary

BOY, n. L. puer for puger, for we see by puella, that r is not radical. So the Gr. probably is contracted, for the derivative verb, forms.

A male child, from birth to the age of puberty but in general, applied to males under ten or twelve years of age a lad. Sometimes it is used in contempt for a young man, indicating immaturity, want of vigor or judgment.

BOY, To treat as a boy.

Rather, to act as a boy to imitate a boy in action. The passage in Shakespeare,in which this word is found,is supposed to allude to the practice of boys acting women's parts on the stage.

I shall see some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) In various countries, a male servant, laborer, or slave of a native or inferior race; also, any man of such a race.

(2): (v. t.) To act as a boy; - in allusion to the former practice of boys acting women's parts on the stage.

(3): (n.) A male child, from birth to the age of puberty; a lad; hence, a son.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

BOY . See Child, Family.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(ילד , yeledh , "child," נער , na‛ar , "lad," "youth"; ὁ παῖς , ho paı́s and ἡ παῖς , hē paı́s ): Refers to a child of any age, and is sometimes used of either sex:  Joel 3:3;  Zechariah 8:5;  Matthew 17:18;  Luke 2:43;  Luke 8:51 ,  Luke 8:54 fem.;   Luke 9:42 . In the East the word applies also to an adult who is a servant ( Matthew 8:6 the Revised Version, margin). The boy occupied a place of special importance in the family life of all ancient people. In Syria the father even was called by the name of his son. He was known as the father of Joseph, or whatever the n ame might be. As is true among all oriental people, while the father had absolute control in his case as well as in the case of the rest of the household, yet the boy received a consideration and advantages not accorded to the daughter. In the Jewish family his religious life began at the fourth year. He was expected to learn the Scriptures at five, the Mishna at ten, and to fulfill the whole law at thirteen. At twelve years he was expected to learn a trade, and attained to something of independence at that age, though he did not come into full rights as a citizen until he was twenty. Among many nations there was special rejoicing at the birth of the boy, and sometimes a feast. One of the most ancient customs was the planting of a cedar tree on this occasion. See Child; Family; Son .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( יֶלֶד , Ye'Led, One Born,  Joel 3:3;  Zechariah 8:5; elsewhere usually "child;" נִעִר na'ar, a Youth,  Genesis 25:27; elsewhere "lad," "young man," etc. (See Child).