Συμεών (G4826) — Greek Lexicon

Συμεών

Symeṓn

G4826 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Proper name: Symeon. Used as a personal name, referring to several individuals of Israelite or Judean descent. The primary referent is the Israelite patriarch Simeon, the second son of Jacob/Israel and Leah, but also used for other figures and for Simeon Peter (also called Simon Peter) in acts of the early Jesus movement. The name functions simply as a personal name without carrying an inherent lexical meaning beyond identification; in Greek transcription, it designates those bearing the Hebrew name שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on). In some New Testament contexts, Συμεών distinguishes individuals from those called Σίμων (Simon).

Semantic Range

Symeon (personal name for Israelites and Judeans); Simeon (Israelite patriarch); Judean individuals named Symeon in the Second Temple and New Testament period; alternate form of Simon Peter in some texts

Root / Etymology

Transliteration of Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on), traditionally understood to derive from the root שׁמע (š-m-ʿ; to hear), but in Greek the word is a proper noun by transliteration rather than by derivation within the Greek language.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Septuagint and other Greek Jewish literature, Συμεών consistently serves as a direct transliteration of the Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן, often distinguishing the Israelite patriarch from Simon/Simeon Peter or other individuals named Simon (Σίμων). In the New Testament (notably Luke 2:25, Acts 13:1, 15:14, and as an alternate of Σίμων in 2 Peter 1:1 as a variant reading), Συμεών variously refers to different individuals: (1) Patriarchal ancestor of an Israelite tribe, (2) Symeon the 'just and devout man' in Jerusalem, (3) Symeon called Niger among the prophets at Antioch, (4) Used as variant or alternate form for Simon Peter. English translations often render Συμεών and Σίμων both as 'Simeon' or 'Simon,' which obscures the distinctions in Greek and Hebrew source texts. The two forms function as separate proper names in Greek texts: Συμεών (from Hebrew Shim‛on) and Σίμων (a common Greek name, sometimes used for the same person but likely distinct in origin). Thus, Συμεών retains a specifically Israelite/Judean association, especially in genealogies or identification with the tribes of Israel, whereas Σίμων may be used for both Greek and Judean individuals. In early Christian literature, use of Συμεών may indicate an interest in explicit Hebraic identity or tradition.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as Σίμων; Symeon (i.e. Shimon), the name of five Israelites:--Simeon, Simon.

Root Family

συμεων- (Symeṓn) — personal name, to hear (reflecting Hebrew etymology)

Root συμεων- personal name, to hear (reflecting Hebrew etymology)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4826-01`	Συμεών	sumeon	`N NOM M SG`	Simeon	Symeon	Symeon	6

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4826-01`	Luke 2:25	Συμεών	sumeon	`N NOM M SG`	Simeon	Symeon	Symeon
`G4826-01`	Luke 2:34	Συμεὼν	sumeon	`N NOM M SG`	Simeon	Symeon	Symeon
`G4826-01`	Luke 3:30	Συμεὼν	sumeon	`N GEN M SG`	Simeon	Symeon	Symeon
`G4826-01`	Acts 13:1	Συμεὼν	sumeon	`N NOM M SG`	Simeon	Symeon	Symeon
`G4826-01`	Acts 15:14	Συμεὼν	sumeon	`N NOM M SG`	Simeon	Symeon	Symeon
`G4826-01`	Revelation 7:7	Συμεὼν	sumeon	`N GEN M SG`	Simeon	Symeon	Symeon

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