Δίδυμος
Dídymos
G1324 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adjective meaning 'twin,' used to refer specifically to a person who is one of a pair of twins; in the New Testament, serves as a byname for the disciple Thomas, signaling that he was known as 'the Twin.' Extended scope in Hellenistic Greek could include referring to someone bearing the name or nickname 'Twin.'
Semantic Range
twin (person who is one of a pair), byname meaning 'the Twin,' designation for Thomas in the New Testament, personal name or nickname, double or paired (in classical contexts)
Root / Etymology
From the root δις ('twice') with the adjectival suffix -υμος, forming Δίδυμος, literally 'double' or 'twin.' The morphological formation suggests a person who is paired or one of a set of two.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Δίδυμος appears as both an ordinary adjective (classically, as early as Herodotus) meaning 'twin,' and as a proper name or byname. In the New Testament (notably John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2), Δίδυμος is used as a descriptive byname for Thomas, explicitly translated for Greek readers to clarify the meaning of his Aramaic name (T’oma/Toma, 'twin'). The use of Δίδυμος as a nickname rather than a formal given name is typical of Hellenistic biographical conventions. In the Septuagint, the word does not function as a personal name but appears with its standard meaning. The English translation tradition often renders Thomas's byname as 'the Twin,' but does not always clarify whether 'Didymus' refers to a nickname, a proper name, or an identifying feature. Outside biblical usage, δίδυμος occurs in Greek literature with its basic sense ('double,' 'paired,' or 'twin'), and in later periods becomes somewhat more common as a personal name or byname.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
prolongation from δίς; double, i.e. twin; Didymus, a Christian:--Didymus.
Root Family
Δίδυμος (Didymos) — paired, double, twin
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1324-01 |
Δίδυμος | didumos | N NOM M SG |
Didymus | Twin | Twin | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1324-01 |
John 11:16 | Δίδυμος | didumos | N NOM M SG |
Didymus | Twin | Twin |
G1324-01 |
John 20:24 | Δίδυμος | didumos | N NOM M SG |
Didymus | Twin | Twin |
G1324-01 |
John 21:2 | Δίδυμος | didumos | N NOM M SG |
Didymus | Twin | Twin |