Λευΐς
Leuḯs
G3018
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun, referring to an individual named Levi. In the New Testament, Λευΐς (Leuḯs) most often denotes a personal name: (1) the son of Alphaeus, also called Matthew, one of the twelve disciples; and (2) an ancestor of Jesus listed in genealogies. The term does not have an inherent lexical meaning beyond designating a personal name within Greek texts. The name originates from the Israelite tribal name "Levi."
Semantic Range
Levi (proper name of individuals in Israelite, Judean, and early Christian context); son of Alphaeus (Levi the disciple/Matthew); ancestor in genealogies; Biblical personal name
Root / Etymology
From Hebrew לֵוִי (Levi), the third son of Jacob (Israel), and eponymous ancestor of the Levite tribe among the Israelites. Greek Λευΐς represents a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name into Hellenistic Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Λευΐς appears in the Greek New Testament as the name of two individuals: (1) Levi, son of Alphaeus, generally identified with Matthew the tax collector (see Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27, 29); and (2) Levi, an ancestor in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:24, 29). The appearance of the form Λευΐς, with final -ς, follows a pattern of adapting Hebrew names to Greek nominative morphology. This adaptation is typical for personal names of Israelite origin appearing in Hellenistic and Roman-period texts. The name Λευΐς signifies no active semantic value in Greek apart from personal identification, but would evoke associations with the Levites—the Israelite tribe tasked with religious duties—in Judean and early Christian contexts. English Bible translations have often directly used the form "Levi." The Greek Λευΐς is equivalent to the Septuagint transliteration of לֵוִי (Levi), where it refers primarily to the son of Jacob and, by extension, the Levitical tribe, though in the New Testament it functions solely as a personal name. There is no difference in meaning between Λευΐς (Leuḯs) and Λευΐ (Leuḯ), only a difference in Greek case ending and orthography; both transliterate לֵוִי. The form "Lewis" sometimes appears in English as a rendering of the name but does not reflect ancient usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a form of Λευΐ; Lewis (i.e. Levi), a Christian:--Levi.
Root Family
Λευΐ- (Leuḯs) — name Levi, personal name
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.