Ἰάειρος
Iáeiros
G2383 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name; Jairus. Refers to a named individual in the New Testament, specifically a leader of the synagogue. The term retains its proper-name status and does not carry independent semantic content beyond identifiying the individual so named.
Semantic Range
personal name referring to Jairus, a synagogue official in Galilee; direct transliteration of the Hebrew name Ya'ir
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew proper name יָאִיר (Ya'ir), meaning 'he shines' or 'he enlightens.' The Greek form Ἰάειρος transliterates the Hebrew name directly, adapted for use in Greek narrative.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Ἰάειρος appears in the New Testament (Mark 5:22, 5:35–5:38, 5:41; Luke 8:41, 8:49–8:51, 8:54), designating a local synagogue official. The name is adapted from the Hebrew Bible's יָאִיר (Ya'ir), known in the Septuagint as Ἰαϊρ (with some orthographic variation). In New Testament usage, the name serves solely to identify the historical individual. Most English translations render the name as 'Jairus,' following the Latinized tradition. The original Hebrew conveys a sense of 'one who gives light,' but in the Greek text this semantic association is not foregrounded. There is no evidence of the name being used more broadly as a title or descriptive term in Koine Greek literature. The translation tradition renders Ἰάειρος as a personal name, not as an ethnic, geographic, or religious marker.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (יָאִיר); Jairus (i.e. Jair), an Israelite:--Jairus.
Root Family
Ἰάειρος (Iaeiros) — proper name, personal name
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2383-01 |
Ἰάειρος | iaeiros | N NOM M SG |
Jairus | Jairus | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences