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Ἀλέξανδρος

Aléxandros

G223 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἀλεξ-, ἀνδρ- to defend, to aid, man, adult male

Definition

Ἀλέξανδρος is a masculine proper name meaning 'defender of men.' Its core sense is an individual who protects or aids others, typically in a martial, social, or noble context. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the name became widespread and could signify the bearer’s association with Greek culture or the famous Macedonian ruler. In the New Testament and related literature, it appears as the name of several men, with no special connotation beyond the personal name unless specified by context.

Semantic Range

personal name, one who defends men, individual belonging to various backgrounds without ethnic or religious implication, association with Greek cultural identity

Root / Etymology

From the Greek roots ἀλέξω ('to defend' or 'to help') and ἀνήρ ('man, adult male'). The name thus literally means 'one who defends men.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The name Ἀλέξανδρος was well-established in Greek-speaking regions, especially after Alexander the Great (4th century BCE). It did not originally serve as a title or adjective but as a personal name. In the Second Temple and Roman periods, especially within the eastern Mediterranean, it became a common personal name, including among Judeans and other groups under Hellenistic influence. In the New Testament, Ἀλέξανδρος refers to multiple individuals: a member of the high-priestly family (Acts 4:6), a craftsman in Ephesus (Acts 19:33), and two others (1 Tim 1:20; 2 Tim 4:14). The English tradition of rendering the name as 'Alexander' follows a long-standing convention rooted in the fame of Alexander the Great. The name’s significance in Judean and Israelite contexts is primarily as a personal name, with no inherent ethnic or religious identity suggested by its use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as (the first part of) ἀλέκτωρ and ἀνήρ; man-defender; Alexander, the name of three Israelites and one other man:--Alexander.

Root Family

Ἀλέξανδρος (Alexandros) — to defend, to aid, man, adult male

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G223-02 Ἀλέξανδρος alexandros N NOM M SG Alexander Defender of men 4
G223-01 Ἀλέξανδρον alexandron N ACC M SG Alexander Defender-of-men 1
G223-03 Ἀλεξάνδρου alexandrou N GEN M SG of Alexander of Defender-of-men 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G223-03 Mark 15:21 Ἀλεξάνδρου alexandrou N GEN M SG of Alexander of Defender-of-men
G223-02 Acts 4:6 Ἀλέξανδρος alexandros N NOM M SG Alexander Defender of men
G223-01 Acts 19:33 Ἀλέξανδρον alexandron N ACC M SG Alexander Defender-of-men
G223-02 Acts 19:33 Ἀλέξανδρος alexandros N NOM M SG Alexander Defender of men
G223-02 1 Timothy 1:20 Ἀλέξανδρος alexandros N NOM M SG Alexander Defender of men
G223-02 2 Timothy 4:14 Ἀλέξανδρος alexandros N NOM M SG Alexander Defender of men
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