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Ἡλίας

Hēlías

G2243 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The personal name Hēlías, corresponding to the biblical figure Elijah. In Greek usage, refers specifically to the prophet Elijah of Israelite tradition, frequently mentioned in the Septuagint and the New Testament in allusions to his prophetic activity and significance. The name may be used as a reference to the historical person, as a symbolic or typological figure, or in indirect reference to his prophetic role and reputation.

Semantic Range

(1) Elijah, the Israelite prophet; (2) a reference or allusion to the prophetic office or eschatological forerunner associated with Elijah; (3) the symbolic role of Elijah in scriptural narratives and typology

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew אֵלִיָּה (‘Eliyahu, ‘my God is YHWH’), adapted into Greek as Ἠλίας (Hēlías); borrowing reflects the common Greek rendering of Hebrew names in the Septuagint and later Greek literature.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἡλίας is the standard Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name אֵלִיָּה, typically referring to the Israelite prophet Elijah in both the Septuagint and New Testament writings. The Greek form retains the connection to the original biblical personage and is not used generically but as a proper name, whether literally (for the historical figure) or typologically (e.g. referring to John the Baptist as fulfilling the prophetic 'Elijah' role). In classical Greek, the name appears almost exclusively in Jewish and Christian contexts, due to its origin in Israelite tradition. English translations often render Ἡλίας as 'Elias' in older versions (e.g., KJV) and as 'Elijah' in modern versions; these choices are based on translation tradition rather than Greek usage. The Septuagint establishes Ἡλίας as the default Greek designation for the prophet, and the New Testament continues this usage without ambiguity or extension to other figures. The word's meaning is consistently tied to the biblical character and never serves as a general noun or title in Greek sources of the period. Notably, Ἠλίας frequently serves as a symbol of prophetic ministry, restoration, or eschatological expectation in Second Temple and early Christian texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (אֵלִיָּה); Helias (i.e. Elijah), an Israelite:--Elias.

Root Family

Ἠλι- (Hēlías) — proper name (Elijah), prophetic figure

Root Ἠλι- proper name (Elijah), prophetic figure

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2243-03 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias 16
G2243-02 Ἠλείαν eleian N ACC M SG Elijah Elijah Helias 7
G2243-01 Ἠλείᾳ eleia N DAT M SG for Elijah to Elijah Helias 5
G2243-04 Ἠλείου eleiou N GEN M SG of Elijah of Elijah Helias 1

Occurrences in Scripture

29 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2243-03 Matthew 11:14 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-02 Matthew 16:14 Ἠλείαν eleian N ACC M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Matthew 17:3 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-01 Matthew 17:4 Ἠλείᾳ eleia N DAT M SG for Elijah to Elijah Helias
G2243-02 Matthew 17:10 Ἠλείαν eleian N ACC M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Matthew 17:11 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Matthew 17:12 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-02 Matthew 27:47 Ἠλείαν eleian N ACC M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Matthew 27:49 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Mark 6:15 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-02 Mark 8:28 Ἠλείαν eleian N ACC M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Mark 9:4 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-01 Mark 9:5 Ἠλείᾳ eleia N DAT M SG for-Elijah to Elijah Helias
G2243-02 Mark 9:11 Ἠλείαν eleian N ACC M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Mark 9:12 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Mark 9:13 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-02 Mark 15:35 Ἠλείαν eleian N ACC M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Mark 15:36 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-01 Luke 1:17 Ἠλεία eleia N DAT M SG of Elijah to Elijah Helias
G2243-04 Luke 4:25 Ἠλείου eleiou N GEN M SG of Elijah of Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Luke 4:26 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Luke 9:8 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-02 Luke 9:19 Ἠλείαν eleian N ACC M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 Luke 9:30 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-01 Luke 9:33 Ἠλείᾳ eleia N DAT M SG for Elias to Elijah Helias
G2243-03 John 1:21 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-03 John 1:25 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
G2243-01 Romans 11:2 Ἠλείᾳ eleia N DAT M SG Elijah to Elijah Helias
G2243-03 James 5:17 Ἠλείας eleias N NOM M SG Elijah Elijah Helias
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