Σαπφείρη
Sappheírē
G4551 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name, feminine; Sappheirē refers to a woman named 'Sapphira'. The name is likely derived from the gemstone sapphire, suggesting 'sapphire' or 'precious stone'. In the New Testament, specifically Acts 5:1, this proper noun designates the wife of Ananias, a member of the early Jesus movement in Jerusalem.
Semantic Range
Sapphira (personal name), sapphire (literal gem, via the root)
Root / Etymology
The word is derived from σάπφειρος (sáppheiros), meaning 'sapphire', which itself probably derives from a Semitic source (Hebrew ספיר sappir).
Historical & Contextual Notes
Σαπφείρη is attested exclusively as a proper name in the New Testament (Acts 5:1). The use of gemstone names for women was known in the Hellenistic and Roman world, conveying connotations of beauty and value. The Greek noun σάπφειρος was borrowed into Greek from Semitic languages, reflecting the ancient trade in gemstones from the East. English translations often simply transliterate the name as 'Sapphira'. In biblical narrative, Sappheirē is identified as the wife of Ananias; both are presented as Judeans associated with the Jerusalem community, but the name itself does not indicate ethnic or geographic background. The more general word σάπφειρος refers to both the mineral sapphire and Lapis Lazuli in ancient contexts. Use is limited and does not develop further connotative meanings in the New Testament period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of σάπφειρος; Sapphire, an Israelitess:--Sapphira.
Root Family
Σαπφείρη (Sappheírē) — sapphire, precious stone; personal name
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4551-01 |
Σαπφείρῃ | sappheire | N DAT F SG |
Sapphira | to Sapphira | Sappheire | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4551-01 |
Acts 5:1 | Σαπφείρῃ | sappheire | N DAT F SG |
Sapphira | to Sapphira | Sappheire |