Ὀνησίφορος
Onēsíphoros
G3683 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A male personal name: 'Onēsíphoros'. Literally, 'bringer of benefit' or 'bringer of help.' The name signifies one who brings advantage, benefit, or assistance to others. In the New Testament, it refers to a specific historical individual associated with providing support or refreshment, especially to Paul during his imprisonment. The broader semantic sense of the name is someone beneficial, helpful, or advantageous.
Semantic Range
a person who brings benefit, one who offers help or advantage to others, proper name referring to a specific individual known for beneficial actions
Root / Etymology
Ὀνησίφορος is a compound of ὀνίνημι ('to benefit, to be useful, to help') and -φόρος ('bearing, carrying'), from the root φέρω ('to bear, to carry'). Thus, the name means 'bearing benefit' or 'bringer of help.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Ὀνησίφορος is not a common Greek word, but a personal name found in Hellenistic and Roman-period sources, including inscriptions. Its compound form is typical among Greek personal names that express virtue or desirable qualities. In the New Testament, Onesiphorus is specifically mentioned by Paul in 2 Timothy (1:16–18; 4:19) as an individual who provided encouragement and practical assistance, likely during Paul's Roman imprisonment. The name embodies the Greek cultural practice of giving meaningful names reflecting character or social function. English Bible translations usually transliterate the name as 'Onesiphorus,' preserving its function as a proper noun rather than translating the meaning. The components of the name, however, clearly indicate a positive attribute associated with helpfulness or usefulness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of ὀνίνημι and φόρος; profit-bearer; Onesiphorus, a Christian:--Onespiphorus.
Root Family
Ὀνησίφορος (Onēsiphoros) — to benefit, to be useful, to carry, to bear
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3683-01 |
Ὀνησιφόρου | onesiphorou | N GEN M SG |
of Onesiphorus | of the Benefit-Bearer | Onesiphoros | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3683-01 |
2 Timothy 1:16 | Ὀνησιφόρου | onesiphorou | N GEN M SG |
of-Onesiphorus | of the Benefit-Bearer | Onesiphoros |
G3683-01 |
2 Timothy 4:19 | Ὀνησιφόρου | onesiphorou | N GEN M SG |
of Onesiphorus | of the Benefit-Bearer | Onesiphoros |