Ἀλφαῖος
Alphaîos
G256 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name; Alphaeus. Refers to a male individual in the context of the New Testament, typically signifying 'Alphaeus, the father of an Israelite person.' Appears as a patronymic, designating lineage or family association rather than describing character or role.
Semantic Range
proper name, as a patronymic in genealogical listing; refers to a male individual (Alphaeus)
Root / Etymology
Of Semitic (Hebrew/Aramaic) origin; likely a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew name such as חַלְפַּי (Ḥalphai) or a related form, possibly derived from חֶלֶף (ḥélef, meaning 'exchange, replacement'). The precise etymology is uncertain due to varying forms in Hebrew/Aramaic sources, but it is clearly not inherited from native Greek roots.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the New Testament, Ἀλφαῖος is used as a proper name referring to specific individuals: the father of Levi (Mark 2:14, also called Matthew in other traditions) and also of James (called 'James the son of Alphaeus' in the apostolic listings). The name occurs only in onomastic contexts (personal names) and does not appear with broader semantic content in Greek literature. While Strong's gloss refers to 'an Israelite,' this reflects the New Testament setting where Alphaeus is associated with persons of Israelite descent. The name itself is neither ethnically nor religiously descriptive. The LXX does not attest to this exact form, but cognate forms exist in late Second Temple Hebrew names. English translations retain the proper name ('Alphaeus') and do not translate or interpret it. No evidence links this name with any wider group identity or function beyond family reference.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (compare חֶלֶף); Alphæus, an Israelite:--Alpheus.
Root Family
Ἀλφαῖος (Alphaîos) — proper name, patronymic designation
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G256-01 |
Ἁλφαίου | alphaiou | N GEN M SG |
Alphaeus | of Alphaeus | Alphaios | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G256-01 |
Matthew 10:3 | Ἁλφαίου | alphaiou | N GEN M SG |
Alphaeus | of Alphaeus | Alphaios |
G256-01 |
Mark 2:14 | Ἁλφαίου | alphaiou | N GEN M SG |
Alphaeus | of Alphaeus | Alphaios |
G256-01 |
Mark 3:18 | Ἁλφαίου | alphaiou | N GEN M SG |
Alphaeus | of Alphaeus | Alphaios |
G256-01 |
Luke 6:15 | Ἁλφαίου | alphaiou | N GEN M SG |
of Alphaeus | of Alphaeus | Alphaios |
G256-01 |
Acts 1:13 | Ἁλφαίου | alphaiou | N GEN M SG |
of Alphaeus | of Alphaeus | Alphaios |