Κυρηναῖος
Kyrēnaîos
G2956 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An inhabitant or native of Cyrene, a prominent Hellenistic city in North Africa (modern Libya); in literary and documentary sources, Κυρηναῖος designates a person whose origin or residence is in Cyrene. In New Testament and contemporaneous literature, it most commonly refers to Judeans of Cyrene (that is, Judeans living in, or descended from, the Cyrenean diaspora), sometimes also encompassing non-Judean (Greek or Libyan) residents depending on context. Secondary uses may indicate origin or communal affiliation rather than current residence.
Semantic Range
inhabitant of Cyrene, native of Cyrene, person of Cyrenean descent, member of the diaspora community from Cyrene, Cyrenean, of Cyrene
Root / Etymology
From the proper noun Κυρήνη (Cyrene) with the adjectival suffix -αῖος (-aios), forming an ethnicon (denoting place of origin or affiliation).
Historical & Contextual Notes
Cyrene was a significant Greek colony and later part of the Roman Empire, home to diverse populations including a sizable Judean community by the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The term Κυρηναῖος is attested in both literary and epigraphic sources from the classical period onward, referring to inhabitants or natives of Cyrene regardless of ethnicity. In the New Testament (e.g. Simon of Cyrene, Acts 2:10; 6:9; 11:20; 13:1), Κυρηναῖος often refers to Judeans from the Cyrenaica region, especially within the context of diaspora synagogues. Septuagint and contemporaneous Greek inscriptions also employ Κυρηναῖος as a civic or geographic identity. English translations like 'of Cyrene' or 'Cyrenian' do not always capture the specific ethnic, communal, or diaspora nuances present in Second Temple or early Roman-era contexts. The term carries a similar semantic function as other Hellenistic ethnics (e.g. Ἀλεξανδρεύς for Alexandria), but with historical relevance to the Judean diaspora as illustrated in New Testament passages.
Translation Consistency
Matches the SILEX sense (an inhabitant or person of Cyrene) and is the most natural, widely used English demonym. It fits both noun and adjectival uses (native, resident, descendant, member of the diaspora) and preserves consistency across all forms (singular/plural/possessive) in translation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Κυρήνη; i.e. Cyrenæan, i.e. inhabitant of Cyrene:--of Cyrene, Cyrenian.
Root Family
Κυρηναῖος (Kyrēnaios) — inhabitant of Cyrene, native of Cyrene, one belonging to Cyrene by origin or civic identity
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2956-02 |
Κυρηναῖον | kurenaion | N ACC M SG |
of Cyrene | a Cyrenean man | a Cyrenean man | 4 |
G2956-03 |
Κυρηναῖος | kurenaios | N NOM M SG |
of Cyrene | Cyrenean | Cyrenean | 1 |
G2956-01 |
Κυρηναῖοι | kurenaioi | N NOM M PL |
Cyrenians | Cyreneans | Cyreneans | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2956-02 |
Matthew 27:32 | Κυρηναῖον | kurenaion | N ACC M SG |
of Cyrene | a Cyrenean man | a Cyrenean man |
G2956-02 |
Mark 15:21 | Κυρηναῖον | kurenaion | N ACC M SG |
a Cyrenian | a Cyrenean man | a Cyrenean man |
G2956-02 |
Luke 23:26 | Κυρηναῖον | kurenaion | N ACC M SG |
of Cyrene | a Cyrenean man | a Cyrenean man |
G2956-02 |
Acts 6:9 | Κυρηναίων | kurenaion | N GEN M PL |
Cyrenians | a Cyrenean man | Cyrenians |
G2956-01 |
Acts 11:20 | Κυρηναῖοι | kurenaioi | N NOM M PL |
Cyrenians | Cyreneans | Cyreneans |
G2956-03 |
Acts 13:1 | Κυρηναῖος | kurenaios | N NOM M SG |
of Cyrene | Cyrenean | Cyrenean |