Brief Overview of Ἕλλην (Strong’s G1672: Hellēn)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for gaining deeper insights into the New Testament and the cultural context in which it was written. The word Ἕλλην (Hellēn) is particularly significant as it refers to a Greek person, a term that evolved in meaning over time and held considerable importance in the context of early Christianity. In the New Testament, Ἕλλην is used to distinguish between Jews and Gentiles, with the latter often identified as “Greeks” regardless of their actual ethnicity. This word reflects the broader Hellenistic culture that influenced the Mediterranean world during the time of Christ and the Apostles, shaping how the Gospel was spread and received among different populations.

Key Information:

Greek Word:

• Ἕλλην (Hellēn) [HEL-lane]

Etymology:

• Derived from the Greek root Ἑλλάς (Hellás), which refers to Greece. The term Ἕλλην originally denoted a person from Greece but later came to represent anyone who spoke Greek or adopted Greek culture, especially during the Hellenistic period.

Part of Speech:

• Noun (Masculine, third declension)

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Primary Meanings:

• Greek person: The primary meaning of Ἕλλην is a person who is Greek by ethnicity or culture. In the New Testament, it often refers more broadly to non-Jews (Gentiles) who were part of the Hellenistic world.
• Gentile: In the context of the New Testament, Ἕλλην is frequently used synonymously with “Gentile,” referring to those who were not Jewish, highlighting the cultural and religious distinctions between these groups.

Similar Words:

• Ἑλληνιστής (Hellēnistēs) [hel-lay-nis-TAYS]: This word means “Hellenist,” referring to a person who speaks Greek or adopts Greek culture, often used to describe Jews who had adopted Greek customs during the Hellenistic period.
• ἔθνος (éthnos) [ETH-nos]: Meaning “nation” or “people,” this word is used more broadly to refer to any ethnic group, including both Jews and Gentiles. It is often used in the New Testament to refer to Gentile nations in contrast to the Jewish people.

While all these terms relate to cultural and ethnic identity, Ἕλλην specifically denotes a Greek person or someone associated with Greek culture, distinguishing it from the broader terms for ethnic groups or cultural adherents.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: As a masculine noun in the third declension, Ἕλλην follows a specific pattern of inflection, which is important for understanding its grammatical use in various contexts. Table: Declension of Ἕλλην (Hellēn) Case Singular Plural Nominative Ἕλλην Ἕλληνες Genitive Ἕλληνος Ἑλλήνων Dative Ἕλληνι Ἕλλησι(ν) Accusative Ἕλληνα Ἕλληνας Vocative Ἕλλην Ἕλληνες

Lexicon Insights:

BDAG:
BDAG defines Ἕλλην primarily as “a Greek” and notes its broader use in the New Testament to refer to non-Jews, particularly those influenced by Greek culture. The lexicon emphasizes the term’s cultural and religious significance, especially in the context of early Christian evangelism.

Thayers:
Thayer’s lexicon describes Ἕλλην as “a Greek by nationality” but also highlights its usage in the New Testament where it represents non-Jews. Thayer’s explains how the word reflects the Hellenistic world in which the New Testament was written and the spread of Greek culture.

Vines:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary explores Ἕλλην in the context of its distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Vine’s discusses how this term was used to describe those who were not part of the Jewish covenant community, emphasizing the term’s role in the early Church’s outreach to Gentiles.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon provides a comprehensive overview of Ἕλλην, tracing its classical usage as a term for any Greek person. The LSJ also discusses how the word came to denote anyone who spoke Greek or was part of the Hellenistic culture.

Strongs Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance identifies Ἕλλην as “a Greek” and explains its appearance in the New Testament, where it is used to distinguish between Jews and non-Jews, particularly in the context of Paul’s missionary journeys.

Scripture References:

• Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Ἕλλην).”
• 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 – “For Jews demand signs and Greeks (Ἕλληνες) seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles (Ἕλλησιν), but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks (Ἕλληνας), Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
• Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek (Ἕλλην), there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Classical Usage:

Summary of Ἕλλην (G1672: Hellēn):

The Greek word Ἕλλην, meaning “Greek,” is a vital term in understanding the cultural and religious dynamics of the New Testament. It denotes a person of Greek ethnicity or culture and is often used to refer to non-Jews, especially those influenced by Hellenistic culture. The use of Ἕλλην highlights the broad cultural context in which early Christianity spread and the challenge of reaching a diverse audience with the Gospel. Its appearances in the New Testament underscore the universal message of Christianity, breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles and creating a new community in Christ.

Did You Know?

The term Ἕλλην originally referred specifically to people from Greece but eventually expanded to include anyone who adopted Greek culture, especially after the conquests of Alexander the Great. This cultural diffusion, known as Hellenization, played a significant role in the spread of Greek language, thought, and customs throughout the ancient world, profoundly influencing the context in which the New Testament was written.