Τρυφῶσα
Tryphōsa
G5173 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tryphōsa: a female personal name; in the New Testament, identified as a woman commended by Paul in Romans 16:12 for her labor within the early assemblies. The name is derived from a root meaning 'to live in luxury' or 'to live delicately,' but in this usage, it functions solely as a proper name and does not carry lexical meaning beyond personal identification. In the context of the letter, the connotation of the root is not applied to the individual's character or actions.
Semantic Range
proper name (female), with underlying sense of 'dainty,' 'delicate,' or 'living in luxury' in non-nominal usage; as a name, functions only for personal identification without further lexical meaning
Root / Etymology
From the noun τρυφή (luxury, delicacy), with the suffix -ῶσα indicating a feminine participle or derived feminine name. The name means 'dainty' or 'delicate one' in Greek, likely meant as a favorable appellation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Τρυφῶσα appears only once in the New Testament (Romans 16:12). The name is attested in Greek-speaking environments from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, commonly among women, and was often chosen for its pleasant or auspicious meaning. Although the root refers to luxury or delicate living, in naming conventions such connotations often became nominal and did not necessarily reflect character. English translations have traditionally transliterated the name as 'Tryphosa.' The use of this Greek name among early followers of Jesus in Rome reflects the cosmopolitan character of the assemblies there. There is no reason to suppose ethnic or geographic implications from the name itself, and the Septuagint contains no attestations. Comparison: The similar name τρυφαῖνα (Tryphaina, also found in Romans 16:12) shares the same root and formation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from τρυφή; luxuriating; Tryphosa, a Christian female:--Tryphosa.
Root Family
Τρυφῶσα (Tryphōsa) — to live luxuriously, to live delicately; feminine personal name
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5173-01 |
Τρυφῶσαν | truphosan | N ACC F SG |
Tryphosa | Tryphōsa | Tryphosa | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5173-01 |
Romans 16:12 | Τρυφῶσαν | truphosan | N ACC F SG |
Tryphosa | Tryphōsa | Tryphosa |