Ἑρμᾶς

Hermâs

G2057 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Hermas; a personal name in the early Christian period. Refers specifically in the New Testament to an individual associated with the Pauline circle.

Semantic Range

Hermas (personal name);

Root / Etymology

Derived from Ἑρμῆς (Hermēs), the name of the Greek messenger god, with the Greek masculine name ending -ᾶς. Common as a personal name (cognate with Latin Hermas), especially among Greek-speaking populations of the Roman empire.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἑρμᾶς appears as a personal name in Romans 16:14, indicating an individual in the Roman congregations greeted by Paul. The use of the name reflects common Hellenistic naming practices, drawing on the name of the popular deity Hermes, but it does not necessarily indicate religious allegiance. Names derived from deities were widespread across the Greco-Roman world. In later Christian tradition, 'Hermas' is associated with The Shepherd of Hermas, though this is a distinct individual and not the Hermas of Romans 16:14. English translations render the name simply as 'Hermas,' and it functions in the text as a personal proper noun, not as a term with broader semantic range.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from Ἑρμῆς; Hermas, a Christian:--Hermas.

Root Family

Ἑρμᾶς (Hermas) — Hermas, personal name derived from Hermes

Root Ἑρμ- Hermas (personal name), proper name formation from Hermes

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2057-01 Ἑρμᾶν erman N ACC M SG Hermas Hermas Hermas 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2057-01 Romans 16:14 Ἑρμᾶν erman N ACC M SG Hermas Hermas Hermas