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Ἀλεξανδρεύς

Alexandreús

G221 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person originating from or residing in the city of Alexandria; more specifically, an Alexandrian citizen or inhabitant. The term primarily identifies geographic origin (from Alexandria), but may also imply association with the culture, customs, or civic identity of Alexandria in Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Semantic Range

person from Alexandria, resident of Alexandria, Alexandrian by origin or citizenship, participant in Alexandrian culture

Root / Etymology

Derived from Ἀλεξάνδρεια (Alexandreia), the proper name of Alexandria, with the suffix -εύς (-eus) denoting origin or inhabitant. Ἀλεξάνδρεια itself is named after Alexander the Great.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἀλεξανδρεύς appears in Hellenistic and Roman contexts to denote someone who was born in, lived in, or identified with Alexandria, the major metropolis in Egypt founded by Alexander the Great. In the New Testament (Acts 6:9; 18:24), the term differentiates Judeans of the diaspora (such as Apollos in Acts 18:24), highlighting their Alexandrian origin, which often implied Greek language proficiency and exposure to Hellenistic thought. In ancient Greek literature and inscriptions, it functions similarly to terms for people from other well-known cities (e.g., Ἀθηναῖος, Συρακόσιος). In English Bible translations, the term is usually rendered as "Alexandrian" or "of Alexandria," which adequately conveys its core meaning but may not capture the full implications of Alexandrian cultural or religious identity in antiquity. In the Second Temple and Roman periods, Alexandrians could belong to diverse ethnic and religious communities, including Hellenes, Egyptians, and Judeans, all of whom might be inhabitants of Alexandria.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (the city so called); an Alexandreian or inhabitant of Alexandria:--of Alexandria, Alexandrian.

Root Family

Ἀλεξανδρεύς (Alexandreus) — originating from Alexandria, inhabitant of Alexandria, associated with Alexandria

Root Ἀλεξανδρευ- originating from Alexandria, inhabitant of Alexandria, associated with Alexandria

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G221-01 Ἀλεξανδρέων alexandreon N GEN M PL Alexandrians of Alexandrians Alexandrians 1
G221-02 Ἀλεξανδρεὺς alexandreus N NOM M SG Alexandrian an Alexandrian an Alexandrian 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G221-01 Acts 6:9 Ἀλεξανδρέων alexandreon N GEN M PL Alexandrians of Alexandrians Alexandrians
G221-02 Acts 18:24 Ἀλεξανδρεὺς alexandreus N NOM M SG Alexandrian an Alexandrian an Alexandrian
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