Σουσάννα
Sousánna
G4677 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name referring to a woman; the name carries the meaning 'lily.' Used as a personal name, likely reflecting a positive or attractive quality (i.e., like a lily or flower). In biblical contexts, refers specifically to a female individual, notably in narratives where named women appear.
Semantic Range
proper name of a woman, referring to Susanna; by extension, associated with the meaning 'lily' in Hebrew; used only as a personal name in Greek texts
Root / Etymology
From Hebrew שׁוּשַׁנָּה (Shoshannah), the feminine form of שׁוּשַׁן (shoshan) meaning 'lily.' The Greek form is a transliteration of the Hebrew name, which itself derives from a common Semitic term for lily or lotus flower.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Σουσάννα is the Greek rendering of a Hebrew personal name; it appears in the Septuagint (notably the addition to Daniel, commonly called 'Susanna') and in Luke 8:3 in the New Testament. The use of floral names for women has parallels in Hebrew, Greek, and broader Mediterranean onomastics. While traditional English translations have rendered this simply as 'Susanna,' the name’s meaning ('lily') sometimes carries connotations of beauty, purity, or grace in Semitic and Hellenistic culture. There is no evidence of the term being used generically for 'lily' in Greek texts. In the New Testament context, Σουσάννα refers to a specific female follower of Jesus, with no necessary semantic overlay beyond her personal name. The Septuagint context refers to an Israelite woman subject to injustice, further embedding the name in narratives about Israelite women.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (שׁוּשַׁן feminine); lily; Susannah (i.e. Shoshannah), an Israelitess:--Susanna.
Root Family
Σουσάννα (Sousanna) — personal name, lily
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4677-01 |
Σουσάννα | sousanna | N NOM F SG |
Susanna | Susanna | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4677-01 |
Luke 8:3 | Σουσάννα | sousanna | N NOM F SG |
Susanna | Susanna |