Νάρκισσος

Nárkissos

G3488 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Narcissus, a proper noun referring to a male personal name. In the New Testament, used as the name of an individual or, by extension, the household or household slaves associated with a notable person named Narcissus. The word does not denote a quality or common noun, but specifically identifies a person or his household.

Semantic Range

personal name Narcissus, household of Narcissus; (rarely) the narcissus flower

Root / Etymology

From the Greek noun νάρκισσος (nárkissos), denoting the narcissus flower; derived from νάρκη (narkē), 'numbness, stupefaction,' reflecting the narcotic quality attributed to the plant. Used as a personal name in Greek and Roman contexts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Νάρκισσος was a common Greek personal name in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, named after the well-known narcissus flower, which itself is rooted in Greek mythology (the youth Narcissus), though the New Testament use does not reference the myth directly. In Romans 16:11, 'those of Narcissus (οἱ ἐκ τῶν Ναρκίσσου)' almost certainly refers to people associated with the household (likely slaves or freedmen) of a man named Narcissus, not the owner himself, as this was a typical phrase in Roman social designations. In Roman society, many wealthy or influential freedmen bore Greek names; 'Narcissus' was notably borne by a powerful freedman under Emperor Claudius. The English translation 'Narcissus' is a direct transliteration and does not imply further meaning. The term does not have a broader semantic range in either classical or Koine Greek beyond its use as a personal name or (rarely) reference to the flower.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a flower of the same name, from (stupefaction, as a "narcotic"); Narcissus, a Roman:--Narcissus.

Root Family

Νάρκισσος (Narkissos) — personal name, narcissus (flower)

Root νάρκισσος personal name, narcissus (flower)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3488-01 Ναρκίσσου narkissou N GEN M SG Narcissus of Narcissus Narkissos 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3488-01 Romans 16:11 Ναρκίσσου narkissou N GEN M SG Narcissus of Narcissus Narkissos