Βαρνάβας
Barnábas
G921 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Barnabas — A personal name meaning 'son of encouragement' or 'son of consolation.' In the New Testament and related texts, it refers specifically to a notable Judean follower of Jesus, described as a Levite from Cyprus. The name carries the sense of someone associated with bringing comfort, encouragement, or prophetic exhortation.
Semantic Range
personal name (Barnabas); figuratively, one who encourages or consoles; by tradition, 'son of a prophet' or 'son of prophecy' though this is linguistically debated
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Aramaic components בַּר (bar, meaning 'son') and possibly נְבוּאָה (nevu'ah, meaning 'prophecy') or נַבָּא/נַבְיָא (navyā', meaning 'prophet'). The Septuagint and New Testament forms Hellenize the name as Βαρνάβας (Barnabas). Etymology of the second element is debated: it may echo 'son of prophecy' or more likely, 'son of encouragement/comfort' (cf. Greek παρακλήσεως in Acts 4:36).
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name Βαρνάβας appears exclusively in early Christian literature, especially Acts and Pauline epistles, referring to a Judean Levite known for his role in the Jerusalem assembly and missionary work. While Strong's points to a meaning 'son of prophecy,' most modern scholarship, taking cues from Acts 4:36, interprets it as 'son of encouragement' (παρακλήσεως). The explanation in Acts may reflect a Greek gloss or early Christian re-interpretation of the name’s meaning. The component בַּר (bar) is common in Aramaic names, used for 'son of.' The second element's connection to 'prophet' or 'prophecy' is not certain; associations with 'encouragement' (Paraklesis) fit the literary context better. The translation 'Barnabas' (untranslated in most English versions) does not communicate the underlying meaning of the original name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Chaldee origin (בַּר and נְבִיא); son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite:--Barnabas.
Root Family
Βαρνάβας (Barnabas) — personal name, son of encouragement, son of comfort, possibly son of prophecy
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G921-03 |
Βαρναβᾶς | barnabas | N NOM M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas | 10 |
G921-01 |
Βαρναβᾶ | barnaba | N GEN M SG |
Barnabas | of Barnabas | 10 |
G921-02 |
Βαρναβᾶν | barnaban | N ACC M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas | 8 |
Occurrences in Scripture
28 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G921-03 |
Acts 4:36 | Βαρναβᾶς | barnabas | N NOM M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas |
G921-03 |
Acts 9:27 | Βαρναβᾶς | barnabas | N NOM M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas |
G921-02 |
Acts 11:22 | Βαρναβᾶν | barnaban | N ACC M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas |
G921-01 |
Acts 11:30 | Βαρναβᾶ | barnaba | N GEN M SG |
Barnabas | of Barnabas |
G921-03 |
Acts 12:25 | Βαρναβᾶς | barnabas | N NOM M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas |
G921-03 |
Acts 13:1 | Βαρναβᾶς | barnabas | N NOM M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas |
G921-02 |
Acts 13:2 | Βαρναβᾶν | barnaban | N ACC M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas |
G921-02 |
Acts 13:7 | Βαρναβᾶν | barnaban | N ACC M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas |
G921-01 |
Acts 13:43 | Βαρναβᾷ | barnaba | N DAT M SG |
Barnabas | of Barnabas |
G921-03 |
Acts 13:46 | Βαρναβᾶς | barnabas | N NOM M SG |
Barnabas | Barnabas |