νεανίας (G3494) — Greek Lexicon

νεανίας

neanías

G3494 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A young man, specifically one in the period transitioning from adolescence to mature adulthood; typically denotes a male in the prime of physical vigor, neither a boy nor an older man. The term underscores youthfulness, energy, and social role associated with younger adult males. Contextually can refer to individuals ranging from late teens into their thirties, and at times up to forty, depending on societal norms of the period.

Semantic Range

young man, youth in the prime of life, adolescent but mature male, young adult male, sometimes extending up to around forty years of age

Root / Etymology

Derived from the adjective νέος ('new, young'), with addition of the masculine agent suffix -ίας, forming a noun indicating a person characterized by youth. Related to νέανις (neanis, 'young woman').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, νεανίας commonly designates a young man who is past childhood but not yet considered fully mature or elderly, with limits defined by social context rather than a fixed age. In Athens, it could refer to those involved in civic or military duties, connoting youthful vigor and readiness. In the Septuagint, the term typically translates Hebrew בחור (bachur) or עלם (elem), referring to young males of marriageable age — distinct from παιδίον ('child, boy') or ἄνδρας ('man, adult male'). In the New Testament, νεανίας is used to describe young male individuals, for instance in Acts 20:9 (Eutychus) and 23:18, 22 (Paul’s nephew), marking them as younger rather than child or elder. English translations such as 'young man' generally capture the sense, but the age range and social expectations tied to the term in its original context may be wider and more nuanced. Cognate terms include νεανίσκος (neaniskos, diminutive: 'youth, young man, lad'), which overlaps in meaning but may connote even younger adulthood. The social role implied by νεανίας could include military service, learning, or youthful enterprise, but does not indicate a specific office or status. The English 'youth' or 'young man' are the closest equivalents, though the boundaries of the age group are not sharply defined in Greek usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of νέος; a youth (up to about forty years):--young man.

Root Family

νεανίας (neanias) — youth, young man, adolescent male

Root νεαν- youth, young man, adolescent male

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3494-01`	νεανίαν	neanian	`N ACC M SG`	young man	young man	young man	2
`G3494-02`	νεανίας	neanias	`N NOM M SG`	young man	young man	young man	1
`G3494-03`	νεανίου	neaniou	`N GEN M SG`	of a young man	of a young man	of a young man	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3494-03`	Acts 7:58	νεανίου	neaniou	`N GEN M SG`	of a young man	of a young man	of a young man
`G3494-02`	Acts 20:9	νεανίας	neanias	`N NOM M SG`	young man	young man	young man
`G3494-01`	Acts 23:17	νεανίαν	neanian	`N ACC M SG`	young man	young man	young man
`G3494-01`	Acts 23:18	νεανίαν	neanian	`N ACC M SG`	young man	young man	young man

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