Στέφανος
Stéphanos
G4736 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name Stephanos; originally meaning 'crown' or 'wreath,' this term is used as a proper noun to designate a male individual, notably a leading member of the early Jerusalem assembly in Acts. As a personal name, it draws on the symbolic meanings of honor, reward, or distinction associated with the general noun but in usage refers to a specific historical person.
Semantic Range
a crown; a wreath of honor; as a personal name, Stephanos/Stephen
Root / Etymology
From the noun στέφανος (crown, wreath), which derives from the root stem 'στεφ-' meaning to encircle, to crown, or to bestow honor.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Στέφανος as a personal name appears in the New Testament only in Acts, referring to a prominent early follower of Jesus, identified as a Hellenistic Israelite and one of the seven appointed to supervisory duties in the Jerusalem assembly (Acts 6–7). In the context of Greek-speaking Jewish and non-Judean communities of the period, such Greek names were common among Israelites and Judeans, reflecting cultural hybridity. The use of Στέφανος may intentionally evoke the symbolism of honor, distinction, or martyrdom represented by the original meaning 'crown, wreath.' Later Christian tradition identified Stephanos as the first martyr, but this meaning is not implicit in the name itself. Standard English practice renders the name as 'Stephen,' but this translation does not reflect the semantic association with 'crown' in Greek. The personal name does not differ semantically from the noun στέφανος ('crown'); its use as a name is based on the positive connotations associated with being crowned or honored.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as στέφανος; Stephanus, a Christian:--Stephen.
Root Family
Στέφανος (Stephanos) — to encircle, to crown, to honor; crown; wreath of honor
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4736-02 |
Στέφανον | stephanon | N ACC M SG |
Stephen | Stephanos | 3 |
G4736-01 |
Στεφάνῳ | stephano | N DAT M SG |
Stephen | to Stephanos | 2 |
G4736-03 |
Στέφανος | stephanos | N NOM M SG |
Stephen | Stephanos | 1 |
G4736-04 |
Στεφάνου | stephanou | N GEN M SG |
of Stephen | of Stephanos | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4736-02 |
Acts 6:5 | Στέφανον | stephanon | N ACC M SG |
Stephen | Stephanos |
G4736-03 |
Acts 6:8 | Στέφανος | stephanos | N NOM M SG |
Stephen | Stephanos |
G4736-01 |
Acts 6:9 | Στεφάνῳ | stephano | N DAT M SG |
Stephen | to Stephanos |
G4736-02 |
Acts 7:59 | Στέφανον | stephanon | N ACC M SG |
Stephen | Stephanos |
G4736-02 |
Acts 8:2 | Στέφανον | stephanon | N ACC M SG |
Stephen | Stephanos |
G4736-01 |
Acts 11:19 | Στεφάνῳ | stephano | N DAT M SG |
Stephen | to Stephanos |
G4736-04 |
Acts 22:20 | Στεφάνου | stephanou | N GEN M SG |
of Stephen | of Stephanos |