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Σιλουανός

Silouanós

G4610 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A personal name: Silouanos (Silvanus). Refers to an individual known from early Christian texts, most notably as a companion and co-worker of Paul of Tarsus and associated with the early assemblies. The name itself does not have a lexical meaning in Greek but functions strictly as a proper noun identifying this individual.

Semantic Range

name of a male individual (Silvanus); strictly a personal name, no lexical meaning in Greek outside of naming

Root / Etymology

Greek adaptation of the Latin name 'Silvanus,' meaning 'of the forest, wooded,' from 'silva' (forest; wood). The Greek spelling Σιλουανός directly reflects the Latin original. Sometimes compared to Σίλας (Silas), which may be a Semitic name adapted to Greek and Latin forms or a contracted form related to Silvanus, but the relationship is debated.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Σιλουανός appears only as a proper name in Koine sources, notably in the New Testament epistles (2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Peter). The individual's identity is closely associated with Pauline missions; some traditions identify Silvanus with Silas, but ancient sources and modern scholarship note both identification and distinction. In the Roman world, 'Silvanus' was a theophoric name connected to the Roman forest deity, but the Christian use does not carry pagan connotations. English translations traditionally retain 'Silvanus' in 1 Peter and sometimes use 'Silas' elsewhere, though these may reflect different Greek forms or translation traditions. No independent use as a common noun or adjective is attested in biblical or early Christian Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Latin origin; "silvan"; Silvanus, a Christian:--Silvanus. Compare Σίλας.

Root Family

Σιλουανός (Silouanos) — proper name, Silvanus

Root Σιλουαν- (proper name) Silvanus

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4610-01 Σιλουανὸς silouanos N NOM M SG Silvanus Silvanus Silouanos 2
G4610-02 Σιλουανοῦ silouanou N GEN M SG Silvanus of Silvanus Silouanos 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4610-02 2 Corinthians 1:19 Σιλουανοῦ silouanou N GEN M SG Silvanus of Silvanus Silouanos
G4610-01 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Σιλουανὸς silouanos N NOM M SG Silvanus Silvanus Silouanos
G4610-01 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Σιλουανὸς silouanos N NOM M SG Silvanus Silvanus Silouanos
G4610-02 1 Peter 5:12 Σιλουανοῦ silouanou N GEN M SG Silvanus of Silvanus Silouanos
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