Prophetic Messenger: Ἄγαβος (Strong’s G13: Agabos) Foretells God’s Will
Ἄγαβος
Pronounced: AG-ah-boss
Strong’s G13: A Christian prophet in the early church derived from uncertain Hebrew origin, Agabos appears in Acts as a respected prophet who accurately predicted both a severe famine and Paul’s imprisonment in Jerusalem, demonstrating the ongoing gift of prophecy in the early church and God’s sovereign guidance of His people.
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U – Unveiling this Word
Ἄγαβος (Agabos) emerges in the New Testament as a significant prophetic voice during the early church period. His name, likely of Hebrew origin, appears in two pivotal moments in Acts where his prophetic ministry demonstrates the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in guiding and preparing the church. The significance of Agabos lies not just in his prophetic utterances, but in how his ministry validates the ongoing nature of prophetic gifts in the post-Pentecost era. His prophecies about the famine and Paul’s imprisonment show both the practical and spiritual dimensions of prophetic ministry – addressing both immediate physical needs (prompting famine relief) and spiritual preparation (warning of persecution). For the modern church, Agabos serves as an example of how prophecy operates in the New Testament context – specific, verifiable, and serving to build up the body of believers.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: Ἄγαβος, Agabos, /ag’-ab-os/
- Phonetic guide: AG-ah-boss (stress on first syllable)
- Part of Speech: Proper Noun (Masculine)
Etymology:
The name Ἄγαβος is of uncertain etymology, possibly derived from Hebrew roots, though no definitive origin has been established.
D – Defining Meanings
- A Christian prophet in the early church
- A respected member of the Jerusalem church community
- A bearer of divine messages concerning future events
Translation Options:
- Agabus – Most common transliteration, preserving the historical figure’s identity
- Agabos – Direct transliteration from Greek, maintaining closer connection to original form
- Agab – Simplified form used in some translations, though less common
R – Reviewing Morphology
As a proper noun, Ἄγαβος follows these morphological patterns:
- Case: Nominative, Genitive (Ἀγάβου), Dative (Ἀγάβῳ), Accusative (Ἄγαβον)
- Number: Singular only (as a proper name)
- Gender: Masculine
- Declension: Second declension
These forms would appear in English as:
- Nominative: Agabus (subject)
- Genitive: of Agabus
- Dative: to/for Agabus
- Accusative: Agabus (object)
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
The major lexicons present Ἄγαβος as a significant figure in early Christian prophecy. BDAG emphasizes his role as a prophet from Jerusalem who appears at crucial moments in Acts. Thayer’s highlights the accuracy of his predictions, while Strong’s notes the uncertain etymology of his name. The collective lexical evidence suggests he was a respected prophet whose predictions were taken seriously by the early church. His prophecies were specific and verifiable, distinguishing them from vague oracular pronouncements common in the Greco-Roman world. The LEH and Moulton and Milligan provide limited information as the name appears only in New Testament contexts.
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T – Tracing Related Scriptures
First appearance:
Acts 11:28: “One of them named [Agabus] stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world.”
Additional References:
Acts 21:10
A– Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| No classical usage available as this is a New Testament proper name. The name Ἄγαβος does not appear in pre-Christian Greek literature. |
N – Noteworthy Summary
Ἄγαβος stands as a testament to the vibrant prophetic ministry in the early church. His two recorded prophecies demonstrate both the continued gift of prophecy after Pentecost and its practical application in preparing God’s people for coming challenges. His ministry shows how the Holy Spirit worked through individuals to guide and prepare the church, combining both practical care (prompting famine relief) and spiritual preparation (warning of persecution). This prophetic gift points to the Messiah’s ongoing care for His church through the Spirit’s gifts, showing how God continues to speak to and guide His people.
D – Did You Know?
- Agabus is one of only a few named Christian prophets in Acts
- His prophecy about the famine was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius Caesar
- His symbolic binding with Paul’s belt mirrors Old Testament prophetic actions
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations independently. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
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