Συροφοίνισσα (G4949) — Greek Lexicon

Συροφοίνισσα

Syrophoínissa

G4949 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A woman originating from the region of Syrophoenicia (Phoenicia under Syrian administration); specifically, a female inhabitant or native of the area identified as Phoenicia in the Roman province of Syria. The term identifies geographic and, by implication, cultural affiliation rather than ethnic or religious identity. The core sense denotes a woman of Syrophoenician background, used especially in the context of Roman provincial and local ethnogeography.

Semantic Range

female inhabitant of Syrophoenicia, woman from the region of Phoenicia in Syria, Syrophoenician woman, regional designation (Roman provincial period)

Root / Etymology

Συροφοίνισσα is a feminine noun formed from the compound Συροφοῖνιξ (Syrophoenician), itself from Σύρος (Syrian) and Φοῖνιξ (Phoenician). The formation reflects the combination of the two place designations, indicating a Phoenician woman of the Syrian region. The etymology is clear: Syria + Phoenicia.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term appears in Mark 7:26, where the woman is further described as Ἑλληνίς (Hellenis, 'Greek' or 'Greek-speaking' woman). In Roman imperial geography, 'Syrophoenicia' referred to that part of ancient Phoenicia administratively allocated to the province of Syria (as distinct from the area of Phoenicia under Egyptian jurisdiction in earlier periods). Usage of Συροφοίνισσα does not convey religious identity, but rather denotes regional and cultural-linguistic background. Traditional English translations often render the term as 'Syrophoenician woman,' which maintains the geographic sense but may obscure its administrative significance under Roman rule. The single New Testament attestation does not allow for an observable semantic shift. The corresponding masculine Συροφοῖνιξ is unattested in the New Testament but occurs in contemporary literature. The term contrasts with more generic terms for inhabitants from Phoenicia (Φοῖνιξ or Φοινίσσα), emphasizing the Syrian (as opposed to North African or Cypriot) locale.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of a compound of Σύρος and the same as Φοινίκη; a Syro-phœnician woman, i.e. a female native of Phœnicia in Syria:--Syrophenician.

Root Family

Συροφοινικ- (Syrophoínissa) — Syrophoenician, relating to Syria and Phoenicia, woman of Syrophoenicia

Root Συροφοινικ- Syrophoenician, relating to Syria and Phoenicia, woman of Syrophoenicia

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4949-01`	Συροφοινίκισσα	surophoinikissa	`N NOM F SG`	Syrophenician	Syrophoenician woman	Syrophoenician woman	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4949-01`	Mark 7:26	Συροφοινίκισσα	surophoinikissa	`N NOM F SG`	Syrophenician	Syrophoenician woman	Syrophoenician woman

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