Brief Overview of ἱππεύς (Strong’s G2460: hippeus)

Introduction

In Biblical studies, understanding Greek words such as ἱππεύς (hippeus) is vital for grasping the cultural and historical context of the New Testament. The term ἱππεύς, meaning “horseman” or “cavalryman,” carries significance both in interpreting New Testament passages and in understanding ancient Greek military and social structures. Knowing the meaning and usage of ἱππεύς provides insight into the roles of cavalry in ancient warfare, the social standing of horsemen, and their metaphorical implications in biblical texts.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἱππεύς, transliterated as hippeus [hip-PEUS].
• Etymology: Derived from the Greek root word ἵππος (hippos), meaning “horse.”
• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine).
• Grammatical Details: Third declension noun.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Horseman: A person who rides a horse, particularly a member of the cavalry in ancient times.
• Cavalryman: A soldier in a mounted unit, often associated with swift movement and strategic advantage in warfare.

Similar Words: ἱππάρχης (hipparches) [hip-PAR-kheys], meaning “commander of the cavalry,” is another word related to ἱππεύς. While ἱππεύς refers to any horseman, ἱππάρχης specifically denotes the officer in charge of a cavalry unit, highlighting a difference in rank and responsibility.

Further Insights: ἱππεύς follows the third declension pattern for Greek masculine nouns. The word can be declined in various grammatical cases to express different roles or actions in sentences. Below is the declension table for ἱππεύς:

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: The lexicon defines ἱππεύς as a “horseman” or “cavalryman,” particularly emphasizing its use in ancient military contexts. It provides examples from both biblical and extrabiblical texts to illustrate its application.

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Thayers: Highlights ἱππεύς as a term denoting “a horseman” or “rider” and elaborates on its use to describe members of the cavalry in ancient warfare. It also notes the term’s appearance in the New Testament and its metaphorical use.

Vines: Mentions ἱππεύς as a masculine noun that refers to “a horseman” or “cavalry soldier.” The entry emphasizes its military connotation and usage in classical Greek literature.

LSJ: Provides a broader overview of ἱππεύς, identifying its use across different genres of Greek literature. The lexicon describes it as a “horseman” and explores various contexts in which the word appears, from Homeric epics to later historical works.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists ἱππεύς (G2460) as a masculine noun meaning “horseman” or “cavalryman,” noting its derivation from ἵππος and usage in the New Testament to describe mounted soldiers.

Related Scripture References

• Revelation 9:16: “The number of the armies of the horsemen [ἱππέων] was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.”
• Acts 23:23: “And he called to him two centurions and said, ‘Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen [ἱππεῖς] and two hundred spearmen.'”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἱππεύς (G2460)

The Greek word ἱππεύς (hippeus) refers to a “horseman” or “cavalryman,” a soldier skilled in riding horses and often involved in ancient warfare. This word not only describes a specific military role but also provides insights into the structure and tactics of ancient armies. In the New Testament, ἱππεύς is used in contexts involving military and apocalyptic imagery, revealing its symbolic and literal applications. Understanding ἱππεύς helps readers appreciate the multifaceted nature of military terminology and its metaphorical implications in ancient texts.

Did You Know?

• The term ἱππεύς was highly regarded in ancient Greek society, as horsemen were often seen as the elite class in warfare due to the costs of maintaining horses and equipment.
• In Athens, the ἱππεῖς were the second-highest social class in the political system, right below the pentacosiomedimni (the wealthiest class).
• The word ἱππεύς is related to modern English terms like “equestrian,” derived from the Latin equivalent eques, highlighting the continuity of mounted military traditions across cultures.

Exploring the word ἱππεύς enhances our understanding of ancient military practices and the rich tapestry of metaphors used in biblical literature.