Βαρσαβᾶς
Barsabâs
G923 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name; Barsabas—designation for two Israelite individuals in the New Testament, meaning 'son of Sabbas' or possibly 'son of Sabba/Tsaba.' The term functions as a patronymic surname formed from Aramaic/Hebrew elements, marking lineage or ancestry.
Semantic Range
proper name; patronymic indicating 'son of Sabbas/Tsaba'; used specifically for two early Israelite figures in the Jerusalem Jesus-movement
Root / Etymology
Borrowed into Greek from the Aramaic or Hebrew components בַּר (bar, 'son [of]') and a second element which may represent the Semitic name שַׂבָּא (Sabbas) or צְבָא (Tsaba, possibly 'army' or a proper name). The exact etymology of the second element is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the New Testament, Βαρσαβᾶς refers to Joseph (also called Justus) and Judas, each associated with the early Jesus-movement in Jerusalem (Acts 1:23; 15:22). The name is formed along Semitic lines, reflecting the use of patronymic naming conventions common in both Jewish and broader eastern Mediterranean contexts. In Greek literature, such names usually denote direct paternity but could also indicate broader heritage or association. The Septuagint also uses similar constructions for proper names (with 'bar' for 'son'). English renderings (Barsabas) adopt the Greek form, but this obscures the meaning of the underlying Semitic elements. Not to be confused with similar-sounding Βαραββᾶς (Barabbas, G912), which derives from a different second element (abba, 'father'). The use of such patronymics in the early Roman period aligns with local Jewish naming practices of the time, distinguishing individuals by lineage, especially in collective contexts (such as lists of disciples or Jerusalem community leaders). Modern translations typically do not translate the meaning of the name, instead transliterating it as 'Barsabas.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Chaldee origin (בַּר and probably צְבָא); son of Sabas (or Tsaba); Bar-sabas, the name of two Israelites:--Barsabas.
Root Family
Βαρσαβᾶς (Barsabas) — son (of), descendant (of), patronymic name
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G923-01 |
Βαρσαββᾶν | barsabban | N ACC M SG |
Barsabbas | Son-of-Sabbas | Barsabas | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G923-01 |
Acts 1:23 | Βαρσαββᾶν | barsabban | N ACC M SG |
Barsabbas | Son-of-Sabbas | Barsabas |
G923-01 |
Acts 15:22 | Βαρσαββᾶν | barsabban | N ACC M SG |
Barsabbas | Son-of-Sabbas | Barsabas |