Ἐπαφρόδιτος
Epaphróditos
G1891 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Epaphróditos: a personal name meaning 'dedicated/devoted to Aphrodite.' In New Testament contexts, this refers specifically to an individual identified as a co-laborer and envoy in Paul's epistles.
Semantic Range
personal name meaning 'devoted to Aphrodite'; specific individual (envoy/companion of Paul in the New Testament); by extension, any male with this name in Greek antiquity
Root / Etymology
Formed from the prefix ἐπί (upon, toward) and Ἀφροδίτη (Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love), with a nominal ending; literally 'belonging to' or 'devoted to Aphrodite.' This was a common theophoric name in Greco-Roman settings. No direct relation to Hebrew/Aramaic roots; purely Greek in origin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name Ἐπαφρόδιτος was relatively common in the Hellenistic and Roman world and signified dedication or connection to the goddess Aphrodite. In the New Testament, Ἐπαφρόδιτος appears only in Philippians (2:25, 4:18) as an individual sent by the Philippian ekklēsia to assist Paul, indicating the adoption of Greek names among early followers. His name does not indicate ethnic identity—bearing this name does not determine whether he was ethnically Greek, Judean, or from another group. The use of theophoric names was typical throughout the Greco-Roman world, including by those outside the traditional worship of the corresponding deity. The individual called Epaphróditos is distinct from Epaphras (Ἐπαφρᾶς), though both names ultimately relate to Aphrodite. Standard English translations use the transliterated form 'Epaphroditus.' The religious connotations of the name's origin were likely incidental to the individual's identity or status in the Christian ekklēsia by the time of the New Testament.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί (in the sense of devoted to) and (Venus); Epaphroditus, a Christian:--Epaphroditus. Compare Ἐπαφρᾶς.
Root Family
Ἐπαφρόδιτος (Epaphróditos) — dedicated to Aphrodite, devoted to Aphrodite
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1891-01 |
Ἐπαφρόδιτον | epaphroditon | N ACC M SG |
Epaphroditus | Devoted-to-Aphrodite | Epaphroditos | 1 |
G1891-02 |
Ἐπαφροδίτου | epaphroditou | N GEN M SG |
Epaphroditus | of Devoted-to-Aphrodite | Epaphroditos | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1891-01 |
Philippians 2:25 | Ἐπαφρόδιτον | epaphroditon | N ACC M SG |
Epaphroditus | Devoted-to-Aphrodite | Epaphroditos |
G1891-02 |
Philippians 4:18 | Ἐπαφροδίτου | epaphroditou | N GEN M SG |
Epaphroditus | of Devoted-to-Aphrodite | Epaphroditos |