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Λυσίας

Lysías

G3079 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Lysias, a personal name referring to a specific historical figure, notably the Roman tribune Claudius Lysias mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. The term itself functions as a proper noun, specifically identifying an individual rather than conveying a lexical or semantic meaning in the abstract sense. In biblical contexts, it refers exclusively to the Roman official.

Semantic Range

personal name (Lysias), specifically Claudius Lysias the Roman tribune; no independent lexical sense beyond the proper name

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek root λυσι- (from λύω, 'to loosen, release, set free'), commonly found in Greek personal names to imply deliverance or liberation. The full proper name Λυσίας is of Greek origin and was used among Greeks and Hellenized populations. Not directly related to an adjective or verb in New Testament Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Λυσίας appears in the New Testament only as the name of the Roman military official Claudius Lysias in Acts (Acts 21–24), who commanded the Roman garrison in Jerusalem. The name is attested among Greeks from classical to Roman periods, and its adoption by Claudius Lysias reflects common practices of non-Romans taking Roman names upon receiving Roman citizenship (note the Roman praenomen 'Claudius'). The core 'release/free' stem hints at Greek naming traditions rather than the individual's function or role. English translations preserve the name as 'Lysias', but this does not capture the Greek connotation—a personal name rather than a word with inherent meaning. In broader Greek literature, persons named Λυσίας could be associated with liberation or freedom by implication of the name's root, but such connotations are not contextually present in the New Testament references.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; Lysias, a Roman:--Lysias.

Root Family

Λυσίας (Lysias) — to loosen, to release, to set free; personal name

Root λυσ- to loosen, to release, to set free

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3079-01 Λυσίας lusias N NOM M SG Lysias Lysias Lysias 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3079-01 Acts 23:26 Λυσίας lusias N NOM M SG Lysias Lysias Lysias
G3079-01 Acts 24:7 Λυσίας lusias N NOM M SG Lysias Lysias Lysias
G3079-01 Acts 24:22 Λυσίας lusias N NOM M SG Lysias Lysias Lysias
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