Ζηνᾶς
Zēnâs
G2211 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name, typically used for an individual called Zenas; likely meaning 'given by (the god) Zeus' or 'gift of Zeus.' The name occurs in Koine Greek as a personal name, and in the New Testament specifically refers to a certain individual who was an associate of Paul.
Semantic Range
personal name, one belonging to or given by Zeus; in New Testament, specifically refers to a co-worker of Paul known as Zenas
Root / Etymology
Derived by contraction from Ζεύς (Zeus), the chief deity of the Greek pantheon, and possibly δῶρον ('gift'), paralleling other theophoric Greek names such as Διόδωρος (Diodoros, 'gift of Zeus'). Thus, Ζηνᾶς likely signifies 'of Zeus' or 'Zeus-given.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Ζηνᾶς appears once in the New Testament (Titus 3:13), referring to an individual identified as 'the lawyer.' The name reflects a common Greek practice of forming theophoric names incorporating deity names, in this case derived from Zeus. In the classical and Hellenistic periods, Ζηνᾶς and similar names were widespread, independent of religious affiliation. In the context of the New Testament, the name indicates either Hellenistic background or assimilation of Greek naming conventions among diverse populations in the eastern Mediterranean. Later English Bible translations preserve the transliteration 'Zenas.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably contracted from a poetic form of Ζεύς and δῶρον; Jove-given; Zenas, a Christian:--Zenas.
Root Family
Ζηνᾶς (Zēnas) — Zeus; belonging to Zeus; gift of Zeus (theophoric name)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2211-01 |
Ζηνᾶν | zenan | N ACC M SG |
Zenas | Zenas | Zenas | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2211-01 |
Titus 3:13 | Ζηνᾶν | zenan | N ACC M SG |
Zenas | Zenas | Zenas |