← G4513 G4515 →

Ῥωμαῖος

Rhōmaîos

G4514 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person belonging to Rome; in the primary sense, an inhabitant or citizen of the city of Rome or, more broadly, of the Roman state or empire. By extension, the term can denote someone identifying with or governed by the Roman polity, culture, or legal system. In certain contexts, it functions as an ethnic, civic, or political designation, sometimes contrasted with non-Romans in the Greco-Roman world.

Semantic Range

Roman (citizen of Rome), Roman (of or pertaining to Rome or the Roman Empire), person identifying with or subject to Roman authority or culture, as contrasted to non-Roman inhabitants

Root / Etymology

From Ῥώμη (Rhōmē), the Greek name for the city of Rome, with the adjectival suffix -αῖος (-aios), denoting origin or affiliation. Thus, Ῥωμαῖος means 'of or belonging to Rome.' Related to Latin 'Romanus' (Roman). No evidence for derivation from non-Greek sources.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ῥωμαῖος is used in Hellenistic and Roman-period Greek texts to designate people of Rome or the Roman Empire, emphasizing either citizenship, political status, or cultural affiliation. In the New Testament (e.g. Acts 16:21, 16:37, 22:25-29), it refers specifically to those possessing Roman citizenship, a status carrying legal privileges. In wider Koine usage, the term could contrast those within the Roman legal/civic sphere with provincial or local populations. In the Septuagint, the term does not occur, as it postdates most of the translation period. English translations typically render it as 'Roman,' but the term encompasses both political/legal identity (citizen) and, more generally, association with Rome or its culture; it does not always imply ethnic Roman ancestry. Contemporary understanding of 'Roman' as a universal imperial identity may not align with classical or New Testament era nuances, where it specified particular legal and social status among diverse peoples of the empire.

Translation Consistency

primary "Roman" 11 occurrences

ʻRomanʼ is the natural, concise English base that covers both the adjectival and nominal senses (pertaining to Rome; a citizen/inhabitant of Rome). It matches the SILEX range (civic/ethnic/political designation) and allows consistent inflection (Roman, Romans, Romanize, etc.) across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Ῥώμη; Romæan, i.e. Roman (as noun):--Roman, of Rome.

Root Family

Ῥωμαῖος (Rhōmaios) — of Rome, pertaining to Rome, Roman citizen, belonging to the Roman polity

Root Ῥωμ- of Rome, pertaining to Rome, relating to Roman citizenship or culture

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4514-04 Ῥωμαῖός romaios ADJ.P NOM M SG a Roman Roman Roman 4
G4514-01 Ῥωμαῖοι romaioi ADJ.S NOM M PL Romans Romans Romans 3
G4514-03 Ῥωμαῖον romaion ADJ.A ACC M SG Roman Roman Roman 2
G4514-02 Ῥωμαίοις romaiois ADJ.P DAT M PL of Romans to Romans to Romans 2
G4514-05 Ῥωμαίους romaious ADJ.S ACC M PL Romans Roman men 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4514-01 John 11:48 Ῥωμαῖοι romaioi ADJ.S NOM M PL Romans Romans Romans
G4514-01 Acts 2:10 Ῥωμαῖοι romaioi ADJ.S NOM M PL Romans Romans Romans
G4514-02 Acts 16:21 Ῥωμαίοις romaiois ADJ.P DAT M PL Romans to Romans to Romans
G4514-05 Acts 16:37 Ῥωμαίους romaious ADJ.S ACC M PL Romans Roman men
G4514-01 Acts 16:38 Ῥωμαῖοί romaioi ADJ.P NOM M PL Romans Romans Romans
G4514-03 Acts 22:25 Ῥωμαῖον romaion ADJ.A ACC M SG Roman Roman Roman
G4514-04 Acts 22:26 Ῥωμαῖός romaios ADJ.P NOM M SG Roman Roman Roman
G4514-04 Acts 22:27 Ῥωμαῖος romaios ADJ.P NOM M SG a Roman Roman Roman
G4514-04 Acts 22:29 Ῥωμαῖός romaios ADJ.P NOM M SG a Roman Roman Roman
G4514-04 Acts 23:27 Ῥωμαῖός romaios ADJ.P NOM M SG Roman Roman Roman
← G4513 Greek Lexicon G4515 →