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Παῦλος

Paûlos

G3972 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A proper name used for a Roman citizen, most notably the apostle known as Paul in the New Testament. The primary lexical sense is that of a Roman cognomen, not a common Greek word. As a name, it functions as an identifier rather than conveying adjectival meaning ('small/little') in literary Greek contexts; its use is as a personal designation for a specific individual, especially the apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul. It does not carry the connotation of 'small' in ordinary Greek usage.

Semantic Range

the Roman name Paulus/Paul (used as a personal identifier, especially for the apostle Paul), occasionally used for other Roman individuals; does not function with adjectival meaning in Greek

Root / Etymology

Loanword from Latin 'Paulus,' a Roman family name meaning 'small, little.' Sometimes connected with Greek παῦρος ('small, little'), but primarily of Latin origin as a name; not derived from Greek παύω ('to stop, cease').

Historical & Contextual Notes

Παῦλος appears exclusively as a personal name in the New Testament, most notably for the apostle who used his Roman name among Greek- and Latin-speaking audiences (Acts 13:9, 'Saul, who was also called Paul'). The adoption of the Roman name likely reflects the dual cultural context of the early Jesus-movement, as Roman citizens often bore both a Semitic and a Latin/Greek name. The name does not function adjectivally in Greek, and is not directly associated with the Greek adjective παῦρος ('small, little'), though the meanings are related in Latin. English Bibles customarily render Παῦλος as 'Paul.' There is no evidence that the use of the name in Greek contexts evoked its etymological sense of 'small' for ancient readers. Outside the New Testament, Παῦλος is attested as a Roman cognomen in Greek inscriptions and documents.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus.

Root Family

Παῦλος (Paulos) — proper name, Roman cognomen

Root Παυλ- proper name, Roman cognomen

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3972-04 Παῦλος paulos N NOM M SG Paul Paul Paulos 79
G3972-03 Παῦλον paulon N ACC M SG Paul Paul Paulos 30
G3972-05 Παύλου paulou N GEN M SG Paul of Paul Paulos 30
G3972-02 Παύλῳ paulo N DAT M SG Paul to Paul Paulos 17
G3972-01 Παῦλε paule N VOC M SG Paul Paul Paulos 2

Occurrences in Scripture

158 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3972-02 Acts 13:7 Παύλῳ paulo N DAT M SG Paulus to Paul Paulos
G3972-04 Acts 13:9 Παῦλος paulos N NOM M SG [is called] Paul Paul Paulos
G3972-03 Acts 13:13 Παῦλον paulon N ACC M SG Paul Paul Paulos
G3972-04 Acts 13:16 Παῦλος paulos N NOM M SG Paul Paul Paulos
G3972-02 Acts 13:43 Παύλῳ paulo N DAT M SG Paul to Paul Paulos
G3972-05 Acts 13:45 Παύλου paulou N GEN M SG Paul of Paul Paulos
G3972-04 Acts 13:46 Παῦλος paulos N NOM M SG Paul Paul Paulos
G3972-03 Acts 13:50 Παῦλον paulon N ACC M SG Paul Paul Paulos
G3972-05 Acts 14:9 Παύλου paulou N GEN M SG Paul of Paul Paulos
G3972-04 Acts 14:11 Παῦλος paulos N NOM M SG Paul Paul Paulos
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