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Ἄννας

Ánnas

G452 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Personal name; Annas, a notable Judean religious figure holding the office of high priest in the early first century CE. Primarily denotes the historical individual known for his extended influence over the priesthood during the Roman prefecture of Judea, especially as referenced in the New Testament.

Semantic Range

proper name (Annas), historical high priest, individual referenced in New Testament and Judean history

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name חָנָן (Ḥanan, 'he has shown favor') or Χαννας in Aramaic; the Greek form Ἄννας is a Hellenized adaptation. The name is a shortened rendering of the Hebrew חֲנַנְיָה (Ḥananyah, 'Yah has been gracious'), frequently rendered as Ananias or similar forms in Greek but here as Ἄννας.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἄννας refers specifically to a historical figure: Annas, the high priest appointed in 6 CE by Quirinius, the Roman governor of Syria. Although officially deposed by Valerius Gratus in 15 CE, Annas continued to exercise substantial power, with several sons and his son-in-law Caiaphas also serving as high priest. In the Gospels and Acts, he is portrayed as a significant figure in the events leading to the arrest and trial of Jesus. The name is a transliteration of a Semitic original, distinct from Ἀνανίας (Ananias), with which it is occasionally confused in Greek sources. Standard English translations render the name as 'Annas.' The term carries no generic meaning in Greek and functions solely as a proper name; its use does not convey ethnicity, title, or general type but refers specifically to this individual. In early Judean context, high priests were often influential beyond their formal tenure, as indicated by frequent mention in contemporary texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (חֲנַנְיָה); Annas (i.e. Ἀνανίας), an Israelite:--Annas.

Root Family

Ἄννας (Annas) — personal name, individual designation

Root Ἄνν- personal name, individual designation

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G452-03 Ἅννας annas N NOM M SG Annas Annas Annas 2
G452-01 Ἅννα anna N GEN M SG Annas Annas Annas 1
G452-02 Ἅνναν annan N ACC M SG Annas Annas Annas 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G452-01 Luke 3:2 Ἅννα anna N GEN M SG Annas Annas Annas
G452-02 John 18:13 Ἅνναν annan N ACC M SG Annas Annas Annas
G452-03 John 18:24 Ἅννας annas N NOM M SG Annas Annas Annas
G452-03 Acts 4:6 Ἅννας annas N NOM M SG Annas Annas Annas
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