Ἰάσων

Iásōn

G2394 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A proper noun referring to a personal name, Jason. The name in Greek means 'healer' or 'one who will heal,' reflecting an association with healing or curing. Used as a personal name in Hellenistic and Roman periods, appearing in literary, historical, and biblical texts. The semantic range is limited to use as a name, but the underlying meaning is connected to healing.

Semantic Range

personal name Jason; by meaning: healer, one who heals; but limited in Koine to use as a personal name.

Root / Etymology

Ἰάσων is derived from the verb ἰάομαι (to heal, to cure) and related to the masculine agentive suffix -ων, signifying 'one who heals.' The form parallels other agentive Greek names but is most famously associated with the legendary figure Jason in Greek mythology.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἰάσων is a personal name of Greek origin, attested widely in classical and Hellenistic contexts, notably as the name of the hero Jason, leader of the Argonauts. The name was adopted by some Israelites and Judeans as a Hellenistic equivalent or adaptation of the Hebrew name Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous; cf. Joshua/Jesus) or Joshua (Yehoshua/Yeshua), reflecting trends in Hellenizing names during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. In the Septuagint and Second Temple literature, Ἰάσων is notably borne by the Hellenistic High Priest Jason (2 Maccabees). In the New Testament (Acts 17:5-9; Rom 16:21), Jason is a supporter of Paul, most likely a Hellenized Judean or Israelite living in a Greek-speaking area. English Bible translations render Ἰάσων simply as 'Jason,' and its meaning is usually not discussed in translation, but its etymological connection to healing is significant in Greek usage. The name does not convey the meaning of 'about to cure' in New Testament contexts; rather, it functions solely as a proper name. Contrast with other Greek-derived names (e.g., Ἰησοῦς) that also appear in biblical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

future active participle masculine of ἰάομαι; about to cure; Jason, a Christian:--Jason.

Root Family

Ἰάσων (Iasōn) — to heal, to cure; healer

Root ἰάσ- to heal, to cure

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2394-01 Ἰάσων iason N NOM M SG Jason Healer Iason 2
G2394-03 Ἰάσονος iasonos N GEN M SG Jason of Jason Iason 2
G2394-02 Ἰάσονα iasona N ACC M SG Jason Jason Iason 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2394-03 Acts 17:5 Ἰάσονος iasonos N GEN M SG of Jason of Jason Iason
G2394-02 Acts 17:6 Ἰάσονα iasona N ACC M SG Jason Jason Iason
G2394-01 Acts 17:7 Ἰάσων iason N NOM M SG Jason Healer Iason
G2394-03 Acts 17:9 Ἰάσονος iasonos N GEN M SG Jason of Jason Iason
G2394-01 Romans 16:21 Ἰάσων iason N NOM M SG Jason Healer Iason