Γαλάτης

Galátēs

G1052 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person from Galatia; an inhabitant or native of Galatia, a region in central Anatolia. In the New Testament, refers specifically to individuals identified by their geographic origin as coming from Galatia, whether by birth or residence. The term carries no necessary implication of ethnic background beyond association with Galatia, as the region included both Celtic (Gaulish) groups and other Anatolian populations.

Semantic Range

an inhabitant of Galatia, a native of Galatia, a person identified with the region of Galatia, a Galatian (in the sense of a regional or ancestral origin)

Root / Etymology

From Γαλατία (Galatia), itself derived from Γάλαται (Galatai), the Greek designation for the Celtic (Galatian/Gaulish) peoples who settled in central Asia Minor following migrations in the 3rd century BCE.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Γαλάτης appears in Hellenistic Greek as a designation for inhabitants of Galatia, especially those of Celtic-Gaulish descent, but could refer more generally to residents of the region as its population became increasingly diverse. The term is used in Acts 16:6 and Galatians 3:1 to identify recipients of Paul's correspondence and travel, indicating the regional, not strictly ethnic, sense. While English Bible translations render Γαλάτης as 'Galatian,' this may obscure the complex ethnic composition of historical Galatia, which included both the original Celtic settlers and non-Celtic Anatolian inhabitants due to Hellenistic colonization and cultural intermingling. Unlike other ethnonyms, Γαλάτης is a primarily geographic/regional identifier by the New Testament period. The use of the word does not carry religious or civic connotations, unlike terms such as Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaios).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Γαλατία; a Galatian or inhabitant of Galatia:--Galatian.

Root Family

Γαλάτης (Galatēs) — inhabitant of Galatia, native of Galatia, one associated with Galatia

Root Γαλάτ- to pertain to Galatia, to be from or associated with Galatia

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1052-01 Γαλάται galatai N VOC M PL Galatians O Galatians O Galatians 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1052-01 Galatians 3:1 Γαλάται galatai N VOC M PL Galatians O Galatians O Galatians