1. Overview

Βαρθολομαῖος (Bartholomaios), commonly known in English as Bartholomew, is a proper noun used in the New Testament to refer to one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The name is of Aramaic origin, combining “Bar,” meaning “son of,” with “Tolmai,” possibly referring to a person named Tolmai. Thus, Bartholomaios can be understood as “son of Tolmai” or “son of the furrows.” In the Greek transliteration, the name has been adapted into the form Bartholomaios. The name itself highlights the common Semitic practice of identifying individuals by their familial lineage or parentage, particularly through the father’s name.

2. Lexical Details

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In BDAG (Bauer-Danker Lexicon), Bartholomaios is identified as the Greek form of a common Aramaic name, derived from “Bar,” meaning “son,” and “Tolmai.” The lexicon notes that Bartholomaios is used exclusively in the New Testament as the name of one of the twelve apostles, who is also likely to be identified with Nathanael mentioned in the Gospel of John. Thayer’s Lexicon agrees with this assessment and emphasizes the apostle’s role among the twelve chosen by Jesus. Vine’s Expository Dictionary further explores the name’s meaning, indicating that “Tolmai” could either refer to a personal name or be related to “furrows,” suggesting a connection to agriculture or land ownership. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon), while focusing more on classical Greek, recognizes the adaptation of Semitic names into Greek forms such as Bartholomaios, illustrating the cultural exchange between the Jewish and Hellenistic worlds.

Biblical references:

• Matthew 10:3: “Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus.”
• Mark 3:18: “Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot.”
• Luke 6:14: “Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew.”
• Acts 1:13: “And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.”

3. Classical Usage

Given that Bartholomaios is a Semitic name, its usage in classical Greek literature is virtually non-existent. However, the name follows the common Hellenistic practice of transliterating Semitic names into Greek forms, making it recognizable within Greek-speaking communities. This practice was particularly prevalent during the period of the New Testament, as Jewish communities were often situated within or adjacent to Hellenistic cultures. Therefore, while Bartholomaios does not appear in classical Greek texts, its structure and form are consistent with the transliteration practices of the time. Examples of similar practices include the Greek transliterations of other Semitic names like Simon (Σίμων) and Philip (Φίλιππος).

4. Summary

Βαρθολομαῖος (Bartholomaios) is a significant name in the New Testament, representing one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The name, derived from the Aramaic “Bar-Tolmai,” reflects the common practice of identifying individuals by their lineage. In the New Testament, Bartholomew is consistently listed among the twelve apostles and is often paired with Philip, suggesting a close association between the two. While the name Bartholomaios does not appear in classical Greek literature, it exemplifies the Hellenistic practice of adapting Semitic names into Greek forms, thus bridging the cultural divide between Jewish and Greek communities. The study of Bartholomaios highlights the importance of understanding the cultural and linguistic exchanges that shaped the early Christian community, as well as the significance of familial identity in the ancient world.