Introduction
Understanding Greek words such as Ἰάϊρος (Iáïros) is crucial for Biblical studies, as they often reveal deeper historical, cultural, and theological contexts. Ἰάϊρος is particularly significant because it is the name of a prominent figure in the New Testament—Jairus, a synagogue leader whose faith led to the miraculous healing of his daughter by Jesus. The use of this name in the New Testament provides insights into Jewish customs, leadership roles in the synagogue, and the intersection of faith and healing in early Christian narratives.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: Ἰάϊρος (Iáïros) [ee-AH-ee-ros]
- Etymology: Derived from the Hebrew name יָאִיר (Yāʾîr), meaning “he enlightens” or “whom God enlightens.”
- Part of Speech: Proper noun, masculine.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Ἰάϊρος (Iáïros): A personal name used in the New Testament for a synagogue ruler.
Similar Words: Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs) [yo-AH-nes], meaning “John.” While Ἰάϊρος refers to a specific synagogue leader, Ἰωάννης refers to a different set of figures in the New Testament, including John the Baptist and the Apostle John. Both names are of Hebrew origin but denote different persons and meanings.
Further Insights: Ἰάϊρος is a proper noun and does not follow a typical declension pattern for common nouns. However, it can still be declined as follows:
| Case | Singular |
|---|---|
| Nominative | Ἰάϊρος |
| Genitive | Ἰαΐρου |
| Dative | Ἰαΐρῳ |
| Accusative | Ἰάϊρον |
| Vocative | Ἰάϊρε |
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Lexicon Insights
BDAG: Ἰάϊρος is defined as a proper name of a synagogue official mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 5:22, Luke 8:41), highlighting his faith in seeking out Jesus for the healing of his daughter. The name itself reflects divine enlightenment or illumination.
Thayers: This lexicon explains that Ἰάϊρος is derived from the Hebrew Yāʾîr and provides the meaning “whom God enlightens.” It points to the importance of the figure in the Gospel narratives as an example of faith amidst crisis.
Vines: Ἰάϊρος is noted as the name of a synagogue ruler whose story is closely associated with a miracle performed by Jesus. Vines emphasizes the narrative context in which Jairus’s faith is a pivotal theme.
LSJ: While primarily focusing on classical Greek usage, LSJ mentions that Ἰάϊρος appears in Biblical literature and provides etymological roots connected to Hebrew.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines Ἰάϊρος as “Jairus,” from the Hebrew origin meaning “he enlightens.” The concordance references its New Testament usage in the Gospels, especially in contexts involving faith, healing, and divine intervention.
Related Scripture References
- Mark 5:22: “Then came one of the synagogue officials, named Jairus (Ἰάϊρος), and seeing Him, he fell at His feet.”
- Mark 5:23: “And he implored Him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.'”
- Luke 8:41: “And there came a man named Jairus (Ἰάϊρος), and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house.”
Classical Usage
The name Ἰάϊρος does not appear in classical Greek literature; it is a transliteration of a Hebrew name primarily used in Jewish and Christian religious texts. However, the following are related entries for context:
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Septuagint | Judges 10:3 | “And after him arose Jair (Ἰάϊρος) the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years.” |
| Septuagint | 1 Chronicles 20:5 | “And Elhanan the son of Jair (Ἰάϊρος) slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite.” |
| Septuagint | Esther 2:5 | “Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair (Ἰάϊρος).” |
Summary of Ἰάϊρος (G2383)
The Greek word Ἰάϊρος (Iáïros) refers to a proper noun, specifically the name of a synagogue leader who appears in the New Testament. The name originates from the Hebrew Yāʾîr, meaning “he enlightens” or “whom God enlightens.” Ἰάϊρος is notable in the Gospels of Mark and Luke for his role in the story where Jesus raises his daughter from the dead. The name emphasizes divine enlightenment and faith in God’s power. Its use in the New Testament narrative provides significant insights into early Christian teachings on faith, healing, and divine intervention.
Did You Know?
Jairus is also a notable name in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). In the Book of Judges, Jair is described as a judge who led Israel for 22 years, and in 1 Chronicles, Jair is the father of Elhanan, who defeated a Philistine warrior. The recurrence of the name across different biblical narratives underscores its significance in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
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