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Ἰοῦστος

Ioûstos

G2459 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain just, upright, righteous (as a personal name)

Definition

A personal name, transliterated as Justus, meaning 'upright, just, righteous.' Used as a proper noun referring to specific individuals identified as Justus in the New Testament. The semantic range is primarily as a designation of an individual's character (one considered upright or just), but functionally it operates in the sources as a personal name.

Semantic Range

personal name meaning 'Justus'; used for specific individuals; by meaning, 'just, upright, righteous'

Root / Etymology

Borrowed from Latin 'Justus,' meaning 'just, upright, righteous.' The term is a straightforward loan from Latin, not a native Greek word or formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἰοῦστος appears solely as a proper name in the New Testament, referring to three individuals: (1) Joseph called Barsabbas, surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23), (2) Titus Justus, a God-fearing man of Corinth (Acts 18:7), and (3) Jesus who is called Justus, a companion of Paul (Colossians 4:11). The use of a Latin name in Greek texts reflects the wider prevalence of Latin or Roman names in the eastern Roman Empire, particularly among those participating in broader Hellenistic or Roman culture. The New Testament usage offers no evidence that the bearers of this name were called 'Justus' because of their reputation for justice—rather, the name reflects a common Roman naming practice. English translations render Ἰοῦστος as 'Justus,' following the transliteration of the Latin name, which is standard since the word is not a Greek lexeme but a personal name transferred into Greek texts. The Septuagint does not use this name. The Greek root ἰ- in ἰ-οῦστος does not exist; the form is an adaptation of the Latin. As a personal name, it should not be conflated with Greek terms for justice or righteousness (δίκαιος, δικαιοσύνη).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Latin origin ("just"); Justus, the name of three Christian:--Justus.

Root Family

Ἰοῦστος (Ioustos) — just, upright, righteous (as a personal name)

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2459-01 Ἰοῦστος ioustos N NOM M SG Justus Justus 2
G2459-02 Ἰούστου ioustou N GEN M SG Justus of Justus 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2459-01 Acts 1:23 Ἰοῦστος ioustos N NOM M SG Justus Justus
G2459-02 Acts 18:7 Ἰούστου ioustou N GEN M SG Justus of Justus
G2459-01 Colossians 4:11 Ἰοῦστος ioustos N NOM M SG Justus Justus
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