Βεροιαῖος
Beroiaîos
G961 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person from Beroea; designates an inhabitant, native, or person originating from the city of Beroea. Used as an adjective or substantive to indicate association or origin from Beroea, a notable city of Macedonia.
Semantic Range
of Beroea, Beroean, inhabitant of Beroea, person from Beroea, native of Beroea
Root / Etymology
From the proper noun Βέροια (Béroia), the name of the city Beroea, with the adjectival suffix -αῖος (-aios) indicating origin or belonging. Common Greek pattern for forming ethnics and demonyms from place names.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Βεροιαῖος is a demonym; it identifies individuals by their city of origin—Beroea, a significant city in Macedonia. In Koine and Hellenistic Greek, such adjectival forms indicated geographic, civic, or community identity. In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 17:10, 13), Βεροιαῖοι refers to the inhabitants of Beroea, sometimes contrasting them with those of other cities like Thessalonica. The term is strictly geographic and civic—not ethnic, religious, or tribal. The English translation 'of Berea' or 'Beroean' accurately conveys the sense, though 'Beroean' is uncommon in modern usage. The usage aligns with other Greek demonyms formed with the -αῖος suffix. No significant theological or cultural connotations attach to the term outside its function as a geographic identifier. Not attested in classical sources before the Hellenistic period, as Beroea itself is first attested in historical records in the fourth century BCE.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Βέροια; a Berœoean or native of Berœa:--of Berea.
Root Family
Βεροια- (Beroiaîos) — from Beroea, of Beroea, native or inhabitant of Beroea
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G961-01 |
Βεροιαῖος | beroiaios | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
a Berean | Beroean man | a Berean | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G961-01 |
Acts 20:4 | Βεροιαῖος | beroiaios | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
a Berean | Beroean man | a Berean |