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ἁλιεύς

halieús

G231 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primary meaning: a person who catches fish; a fisherman, especially one engaged in fishing as a trade or occupation. Can refer both to those who fish with nets or lines for livelihood and, less commonly, to those who fish for leisure in Greek literature. In metaphorical contexts (rare), may be extended to one who 'catches' or gathers people (as in didactic or literary imagery).

Semantic Range

fisherman, professional fisher, one who catches fish, metaphorically one who gathers or attracts (rare)

Root / Etymology

From the root ἁλ- (hal-), relating to salt or the sea, combined with the agentive ending -εύς; thus, one associated with the sea or saltwater, i.e., a fisher. Related to ἅλς ('salt' or 'sea' in certain poetic contexts).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἁλιεύς appears as early as Homer with the meaning 'fisherman,' though the term more commonly refers in later periods to professional fishermen, as distinct from sailors (ναύτης), who crew and navigate ships. In the Koine period, including the New Testament and Septuagint, ἁλιεύς consistently denotes a fisherman by trade, most notably as the occupation of several prominent figures in the Gospels. It does not typically refer to 'sailor'—that term is ναύτης. English translations often render ἁλιεύς as 'fisherman,' which accurately captures its sense in most biblical and contemporaneous Greek texts. The metaphorical extension ('one who gathers or attracts others') is rare, and when present derives from the literal occupational sense. The word is used to contrast with related terms (e.g., ναύτης 'sailor', ἁλιευτική 'art of fishing'). No religious or ethnic connotations are implied by the term itself in period sources.

Translation Consistency

primary "fisher" 5 occurrences

Fits the primary meaning (“one who catches fish”) while matching attested English renderings (fishers/fishermen). “Fisher” is concise, natural, and gender-neutral, so it will read well in all singular/plural forms and covers the occasional metaphorical sense (one who gathers).

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἅλς; a sailor (as engaged on the salt water), i.e. (by implication) a fisher:--fisher(-man).

Root Family

ἁλιεύς (halieus) — to fish, to engage in fishing, sea-associated laborer

Root ἁλ- to fish, to engage in fishing

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G231-01 ἁλιεῖς alieis N NOM M PL fishers fishers fishers 5

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G231-01 Matthew 4:18 ἁλιεῖς alieis N NOM M PL fishermen fishers fishers
G231-01 Matthew 4:19 ἁλιεῖς alieis N ACC M PL fishers fishers fishers
G231-01 Mark 1:16 ἁλιεῖς alieis N NOM M PL fishers fishers fishers
G231-01 Mark 1:17 ἁλιεῖς alieis N ACC M PL fishers fishers fishers
G231-01 Luke 5:2 ἁλιεῖς alieis N NOM M PL fishermen fishers fishers
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