← G2583 G2585 →

Καπερναούμ

Kapernaoúm

G2584 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A town on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, called Kapernaoum, noted as a significant locale in early Roman-period Galilee, especially as a center of activity in the accounts concerning Jesus of Nazareth. The name designates a specific settlement and does not carry additional inherent meaning beyond being a proper geographic place name.

Semantic Range

Capernaum (name of a Galilean town); village of Nahum; specific locality referenced in early Roman-period Galilee

Root / Etymology

The name is of Semitic origin, likely from Hebrew כְּפַר (kefar, "village") and נַחוּם (Nachum, a personal name), together meaning 'Village of Nahum.' The Greek transliteration Καπερναούμ closely follows the Hebrew pronunciation. Etymology uncertain as regards which Nachum is referenced; no direct identification with a specific figure named Nahum in ancient sources.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Καπερναούμ functions throughout the Gospels as a prominent Galilean town, serving as a locus for many events and teachings attributed to Jesus, and appears exclusively as a proper noun referring to this locality. Classical Greek writers do not attest this term; it is specific to Jewish and early Christian literature influenced by Semitic toponymic traditions. In the Septuagint, the name does not occur, but in the New Testament it repeatedly refers to the Galilean settlement. Later Christian usage sometimes allegorized the name, but primary historical references indicate a real settlement adjacent to the lake's shore. Standard English translations ("Capernaum") preserve the traditional rendering of the name but do not always communicate its Semitic components or local geographic significance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (probably כָּפָר and נַחוּם); Capernaum (i.e. Caphanachum), a place in Palestine:--Capernaum.

Root Family

Καπερναούμ (Kapernaoum) — village, settlement; proper geographic name

Root Καπερναούμ village, settlement (from Semitic root); proper geographic name

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2584-01 Καφαρναοὺμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum 16

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2584-01 Matthew 4:13 Καφαρναοὺμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Matthew 8:5 Καφαρναοὺμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Matthew 11:23 Καφαρναούμ kapharnaoum N VOC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Matthew 17:24 Καφαρναοὺμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Mark 1:21 Καφαρναούμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Mark 2:1 Καφαρναοὺμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Mark 9:33 Καφαρναούμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Luke 4:23 Καφαρναοὺμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Luke 4:31 Καφαρναοὺμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
G2584-01 Luke 7:1 Καφαρναούμ kapharnaoum N ACC F SG Capernaum Capernaum Kapernaoum
← G2583 Greek Lexicon G2585 →