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Ὀνήσιμος

Onḗsimos

G3682 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Personal name meaning 'useful' or 'beneficial.' In Koine Greek and New Testament contexts, it functions solely as a proper noun referring to an individual known as Onesimus, but its etymology suggests the quality of being advantageous or helpful. As a proper name in the NT, refers to a specific individual associated with Paul.

Semantic Range

useful, beneficial, advantageous; as a proper noun, Onesimus (personal name)

Root / Etymology

From the Greek adjective ὀνήσιμος, meaning 'useful' or 'beneficial,' itself derived from ὀνίνημι ('to profit, to benefit, to help').

Historical & Contextual Notes

'Ὀνήσιμος' is attested as a common Greek slave name from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, carrying the connotation of usefulness or value to one's master. In the New Testament (notably the letter to Philemon), it refers to an individual identified as a slave belonging to Philemon and is the subject of Paul's intercession. The choice of name would reflect Greek naming conventions rather than Israelite or Judean customs. English translations use 'Onesimus' as a transliteration, preserving its status as a proper name and avoiding anachronistic rendering as a common noun. The semantic nuance of the original (useful/beneficial) is often alluded to in wordplay by Paul (Philem 1:11).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὀνίνημι; profitable; Onesimus, a Christian:--Onesimus.

Root Family

Ὀνήσιμος (Onēsimos) — useful, beneficial, advantageous; to profit, to benefit, to help

Root ὀνῆ- to profit, to benefit, to help

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3682-02 Ὀνήσιμον onesimon N ACC M SG Onesimus Onesimus Onesimos 1
G3682-01 Ὀνησίμῳ onesimo N DAT M SG Onesimus to Onesimus Onesimos 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3682-01 Colossians 4:9 Ὀνησίμῳ onesimo N DAT M SG Onesimus to Onesimus Onesimos
G3682-02 Philemon 1:10 Ὀνήσιμον onesimon N ACC M SG Onesimus Onesimus Onesimos
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