Ναζαρηνός
Nazarēnós
G3479 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Denoting someone originating from or residing in Nazareth; more specifically, a person identified as being associated with the Galilean village of Nazareth, whether by birth or residence. In most New Testament occurrences, Ναζαρηνός is used as an ethnogeographic identifier, most notably of Jesus, distinguishing him by his place of origin.
Semantic Range
of Nazareth, from Nazareth, Nazarene (person from Nazareth), one associated with Nazareth (especially Jesus)
Root / Etymology
From Ναζαρέθ (Nazareth), the Galilean village; formed with the Greek adjectival suffix -ηνός, meaning 'of or pertaining to.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
First attested in the New Testament and not in earlier Greek literature, Ναζαρηνός appears as a descriptive term applied especially to Jesus (notably in Mark and Luke) to indicate his connection with Nazareth. The term is essentially a Greek-form adjective, functioning as a demonym without broader ethnic or religious implication. The usage does not carry pejorative or honorific connotations by itself, though it serves to distinguish Jesus from other individuals, aligning with the broader Greco-Roman practice of toponymic identification. Unlike Ναζωραῖος (Nazōraios), which also denotes association with Nazareth but may carry broader connotations (sometimes used for members of a group or with possible allusion to 'holy' or 'set apart'), Ναζαρηνός is more directly linked to geographic origin. English tradition regularly translated Ναζαρηνός as 'of Nazareth' or 'Nazarene.' No evidence exists for use outside early Christian literature or for identifying groups other than individuals connected to Nazareth.
Translation Consistency
Ναζαρηνός is an ethnogeographic identifier meaning ‘of/from Nazareth.’ The conventional, natural English rendering that covers both adjectival and nominal uses in the NT (especially of Jesus) is “Nazarene.” It is the most common attested form and cleanly preserves the place-based sense for all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Ναζαρέθ; a Nazarene, i.e. inhabitant of Nazareth:--of Nazareth.
Root Family
Ναζαρην- (Nazarēnós) — from Nazareth, belonging to Nazareth, inhabitant of Nazareth
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3479-01 |
Ναζαρηνέ | nazarene | ADJ.A VOC M SG |
Nazarene | O Nazarene | O Nazarene | 2 |
G3479-04 |
Ναζαρηνοῦ | nazarenou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
Nazarene | of the Nazarene | Nazarene | 2 |
G3479-02 |
Ναζαρηνὸν | nazarenon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
Nazarene | a man from Nazareth | Nazarene | 1 |
G3479-03 |
Ναζαρηνός | nazarenos | ADJ.R NOM M SG |
Nazarene | Nazarene | Nazarene | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3479-01 |
Mark 1:24 | Ναζαρηνέ | nazarene | ADJ.A VOC M SG |
Nazarene | O Nazarene | O Nazarene |
G3479-03 |
Mark 10:47 | Ναζαρηνός | nazarenos | ADJ.R NOM M SG |
Nazarene | Nazarene | Nazarene |
G3479-04 |
Mark 14:67 | Ναζαρηνοῦ | nazarenou | ADJ.S GEN M SG |
Nazarene | of the Nazarene | Nazarene |
G3479-02 |
Mark 16:6 | Ναζαρηνὸν | nazarenon | ADJ.S ACC M SG |
Nazarene | a man from Nazareth | Nazarene |
G3479-01 |
Luke 4:34 | Ναζαρηνέ | nazarene | ADJ.A VOC M SG |
of Nazareth | O Nazarene | O Nazarene |
G3479-04 |
Luke 24:19 | Ναζαρηνοῦ | nazarenou | ADJ.R GEN M SG |
Nazarene | of the Nazarene | of the Nazarene |