Δερβαῖος
Derbaîos
G1190 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
An inhabitant or native of Derbe, a city in the region of Lycaonia in Asia Minor. The term designates someone whose geographic or civic origin is from Derbe.
Semantic Range
of Derbe (Denotes civic or geographic origin), Derbean (used as an ethnic or civic qualifier); resident or native of the city of Derbe
Root / Etymology
Δερβαῖος is formed from the place name Δέρβη (Derbe) with the adjectival suffix -αῖος, indicating regional or civic affiliation. Common formation for ethnic or geographic designations in Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Δερβαῖος appears in the New Testament in Acts 20:4, where it refers to Gaius, described as being 'of Derbe.' The form follows standard Greek patterns for denoting inhabitants of cities or regions (cf. Μακεδών for Macedonian, Γαλατής for Galatian). The underlying city, Derbe, was located in the southeastern part of the region historically known as Lycaonia, within Roman Asia Minor. The term itself is found mainly in the context of travel and identity in Acts and does not bear theological weight. English translations often render it as 'of Derbe,' which reflects the original sense but does not signal ethnic or religious identity, only geographic/civic association. There are no known significant shifts in meaning from Classical to Koine Greek, and the form is primarily attested in Hellenistic and later literature when discussing civic origins.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Δέρβη; a Derbæan or inhabitant of Derbe:--of Derbe.
Root Family
Δερβαῖος (Derbaios) — of Derbe, belonging to Derbe, inhabitant of Derbe
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1190-01 |
Δερβαῖος | derbaios | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
of Derbe | Derbean | a Derbean | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1190-01 |
Acts 20:4 | Δερβαῖος | derbaios | ADJ.A NOM M SG |
of Derbe | Derbean | a Derbean |