Σωσίπατρος
Sōsípatros
G4989 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name: Sosipater. The name means 'saviour of his father' or 'the one who saves/helped his father.' In the New Testament and other contemporary literature, it designates an individual, specifically noted as a companion of Paul. No usage outside the realm of a proper noun is attested.
Semantic Range
personal name ('Sosipater'), literally 'saviour of his father'; does not have a common noun or verb usage
Root / Etymology
From the roots σῴζω (to save) and πατήρ (father), with the prefix σω(σι)- denoting 'saving' and πατρ(ος) as 'of a father.' This is an extended form of the name Σώπατρος (Sopatros), possibly to match honorific naming conventions or for distinction. Related to the common Greek practice of forming personal names with positive attributes about ancestors or the family line.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Σωσίπατρος appears in Romans 16:21, likely identical with Σώπατρος of Acts 20:4, though some ancient sources distinguish them. The name is of Greek origin and is common among the diaspora and wider Hellenistic world in the first centuries BCE and CE. The use in the NT does not carry theological meaning; it operates strictly as a proper name. English Bibles have historically transliterated the name as 'Sosipater,' with no attempt to translate the meaning. The name follows typical Greek construction for compound personal names and does not bear special significance unique to Israelite, Judean, or early 'Christian' identity, except that the bearer is a member of Paul's inner circle in the text.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
prolongation for Σώπατρος; Sosipatrus, a Christian:--Sosipater.
Root Family
Σωσίπατρος (Sōsípatros) — to save, to deliver, father
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4989-01 |
Σωσίπατρος | sosipatros | N NOM M SG |
Sosipater | Sosipater | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4989-01 |
Romans 16:21 | Σωσίπατρος | sosipatros | N NOM M SG |
Sosipater | Sosipater |