# adoption, adopt, adopted

## Definition:

The terms “adopt” and “adoption” refer to the process of someone legally becoming the child of people who are not his biological parents.

* The Bible uses “adoption” and “adopt” in a figurative way to describe how God causes people to be part of his family, making them his spiritual sons and daughters.
* As adopted children, God makes believers to be co-heirs with Jesus Christ, giving them all of the privileges of sons and daughters of God.

## Translation Suggestions:

* This term could be translated with a term that the language of translation uses to describe this special parent-child relationship. Make sure it is understood that this has a figurative or spiritual meaning.
* The phrase “experience adoption as sons” could be translated as “be adopted by God as his children” or “become God’s (spiritual) children.”
* To “wait for the adoption of sons” could be translated as “look forward to becoming God’s children” or “wait expectantly for God to receive as children.”
* The phrase “adopt them” could be translated as “receive them as his own children” or “make them his own (spiritual) children.”

(See also: [heir](../other/heir.md), [inherit](../kt/inherit.md), [spirit](../kt/spirit.md))

## Bible References:

* [Ephesians 1:5](rc://en/tn/help/eph/01/5)
* [Galatians 4:3-5](rc://en/tn/help/gal/04/03)
* [Romans 8:14-15](rc://en/tn/help/rom/08/14)
* [Romans 8:23](rc://en/tn/help/rom/08/23)
* [Romans 9:4](rc://en/tn/help/rom/09/04)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: G52060
