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νεανίσκος

neanískos

G3495 noun

SILEX Entry

Root νεαν- young, new, youthful

Definition

A young man; generally a male in the age of youth, often with the implication of maturity approaching adulthood but below the full status of elder or established adult. Used for males likely between the ages of adolescence and the late 30s, sometimes specifically under 40; may also encompass a subordinate or less experienced adult male in some contexts.

Semantic Range

young man, youth, younger male, adolescent, man under forty, inexperienced younger male

Root / Etymology

Diminutive form from νεανίας (neanías, 'youth, young man'), itself derived from the root νεαν- (meaning 'young, new') with diminutive suffix -ίσκος, indicating 'a younger man' or 'youthful male'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic usage, νεανίσκος is a relatively informal or familiar term for a young man, sometimes with affectionate or diminutive nuance. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it often denotes a youth or younger adult male, contrasted with πρεσβύτερος ('elder'), and may indicate someone with less authority, responsibility, or experience. The semantic overlap with νεανίας is broad; νεανίσκος tends to be more diminutive and may emphasize youthfulness or lower status. In Gospel narratives, it can specify both literal and symbolic roles, such as individual actors or anonymous figures described as 'young men.' English translations frequently render it as 'young man,' but this may obscure the flexible boundaries of age and social status the term carried in its original context. The English 'youth' or 'young man' often fails to indicate the potential range from adolescence into the 30s or late 30s, as understood in Greek usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as νεανίας; a youth (under forty):--young man.

Root Family

νεανίσκος (neaniskos) — young, new, youthful

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3495-02 νεανίσκοι neaniskoi N NOM M PL young men young men 4
G3495-04 νεανίσκος neaniskos N NOM M SG young man young man 3
G3495-03 νεανίσκον neaniskon N ACC M SG young man young man 2
G3495-01 νεανίσκε neaniske N VOC M SG Young man young man! 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3495-04 Matthew 19:20 νεανίσκος neaniskos N NOM M SG young man
G3495-04 Matthew 19:22 νεανίσκος neaniskos N NOM M SG young man
G3495-04 Mark 14:51 νεανίσκος neaniskos N NOM M SG young man young man
G3495-03 Mark 16:5 νεανίσκον neaniskon N ACC M SG young man young man
G3495-01 Luke 7:14 νεανίσκε neaniske N VOC M SG Young man young man!
G3495-02 Acts 2:17 νεανίσκοι neaniskoi N NOM M PL young men young men
G3495-02 Acts 5:10 νεανίσκοι neaniskoi N NOM M PL young men young men
G3495-03 Acts 23:22 νεανίσκον neaniskon N ACC M SG young man young man
G3495-02 1 John 2:13 νεανίσκοι neaniskoi N VOC M PL young men young men
G3495-02 1 John 2:14 νεανίσκοι neaniskoi N VOC M PL young men young men
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