Κυρήνιος
Kyrḗnios
G2958 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name: Quirinius, a Roman official. Refers specifically to Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, who served as imperial legate (governor) of the province of Syria during the early first century CE. Used as a proper noun, the name denotes the historical figure appointed by Roman authorities, especially in the context of the administration of provincial territories.
Semantic Range
Quirinius, Cyrenius, Roman provincial governor; proper name referring to Publius Sulpicius Quirinius
Root / Etymology
From the Latin Quirinius, itself possibly derived from 'Quirinus', an ancient Roman god associated with the Sabine people and the Roman city, or from 'Curiensis', relating to people from Cures Sabini. The Greek Κυρήνιος is a transliteration of the Latin name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Κυρήνιος appears primarily in Luke 2:2 in the New Testament, referencing the Roman governor Quirinius, under whose watch a census was conducted in Syria. The name is not of Greek origin, and its use in Greek texts reflects transliteration of a Latin official's name. In the New Testament and contemporary historical sources (e.g., Josephus), Quirinius is associated with an imperial census in Syria. English translations traditionally render the name as 'Cyrenius,' but this form is based on older English Bibles and represents a misreading or Anglicizing of the Latin. The Greek spelling Κυρήνιος closely follows the Latin Quirinius. The lexeme functions solely as a personal name and does not have a broader semantic range in Greek literature beyond reference to this individual official. There is no broader cultural, ethnic, or religious identity conveyed by the word itself; it simply designates the Roman figure.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Latin origin; Cyrenius (i.e. Quirinus), a Roman:--Cyrenius.
Root Family
Κυρήνιος (Kyrēnios) — proper name, personal designation, Roman official
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2958-01 |
Κυρηνίου | kureniou | N GEN M SG |
Quirinius | of Quirinius | Kyrenios | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2958-01 |
Luke 2:2 | Κυρηνίου | kureniou | N GEN M SG |
Quirinius | of Quirinius | Kyrenios |