FOREIGN TERMS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
FOREIGN TERMS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Virgil Warren, PhD
Abaddon (Ἀβαδδών): “Destroyer” (Revelation 9:11**)
Abba (Αββα): “father” (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6**)
Akeldama (Ἀκελδαμάχ): “Field of Blood” (Acts 1:19**)
anathema (ἀνάθεμα): Galatians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 16:2
Armageddon (Ἁρμαγεδών): “The Hill of Megiddo” (Revelation 16:16**)
Bar-Jesus (Βαριησούς): Acts 13:6
(Simon) Bar-Jonah/Bar-Jonah (Βαιωνά/Βαριωνᾶς): “(Simon), son-of John” (Matthew
16:17)
Barnabas (Βαρναβᾶς):“Son of Consolation” (Acts 4:36 “which is interpreted [ὅ
ἐστιν μεθερμηνευόμενον]”)
Barsabbas (Βαρσαββᾶς): Joseph Barsabbas (Acts 1:23); Judas Barsabbas (Acts 15:22)
(Timaeus) Bar-Timaeus (Βαρτιμαῖος): “Timaeus, son of Timaeus” (Mark 10:46)
Bethesda (Βηθζαθά /Βελζεθά/Βηθεσδά < בֵּית חֶסֶד): “House of Mercy”(?) John 5:2
Boanerges (Βοανεργές/Βοανεργής < בְּנֵי רֶגֶשׁ “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17)
(Simon the) Cananaean (Καναναῖος): “(Simon the) Zealot” (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18)
Cephas (Κηφᾶς < כֵּיפָא): “Rock” (John 1:42, “which is interpreted, ‘Peter [ὃ
ἑρμηνεύεται Πετρός]’”)
Corban (Κορβᾶν < קָרְבָּן ): “gift, offering” (Mark 7:11, “Given [to God]”)
Eli Eli lama sabachthani (Ηλι ηλι λεμα σαβαχθανι): “My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
Eloi Eloi lema sabachthani (Ελωι ελωι λεμα σαβαχθανι), (Mark 15:34)
Elymas (Ἐλύμας, a magician): Acts 13:8, “for thus his name is interpreted [οὕτως γὰρ
μεθερμηνεύεται ὁ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ]” formal name, Bar-Jesus
Emmanuel (Ἐμμανουήλ < עִמָּנוּ אַל): (Matthew 1:23, “which is interpreted [ὅ ἐστιν
μεθερμηνευόμενον”]
Ephphatha (ἐφφαθα): “Be opened” (Mark 7:34, “that is [ὅ εστιν]”)
Euroclydon (Εὐρακύλων/Εὐροκλύδων/Εὐρυκλύδων/Εὐροκοίδον/Εὐροκλύδω/
Εὐρουκλύδων): “southwest wind” (Acts 27:14)
Forum of Appius (Ἀππίου Φόρον): Acts 28:15
Gabbatha (Γαββαθα = Λιθόστρωτον): “The Pavement” (“stone pavement”) John
19:13**
Gehenna (γέενα <הִנֹּם גּי(א/גֵּיהִנָּם): Matthew 23:33, etc.
Golgotha (Γολγοθᾶ): “Place of the Skull” (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22, “which is
interpreted [μεθερμηνεύω”]) John 19:27**)
Hallelujah (ἁλληλουϊά < חַלְלוּ־יָהּ): “Praise Yahweh” (Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, 6)
manna (μάννα): manna (John 6:3, 49; Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 2:17)
marana tha (μαρανα θα): “Our Lord! Come!” [or μαρανα αθα, “Our Lord has come!”],
1 Corinthians 16:22)
Melchizedek (Μελχισέδεκ < מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק): “king of righteousness” (Hebrews 7:1-2,
“which interpreted [ἑρμηνευόμενος]”)
Messiah/Messias (Μεσσίας < מָשִׁיחַ, “to anoint”): “the Messiah”; “The Anointed One” =
Christos” < χρίω, “to anoint” (John 1:41,“which is interpreted” [ὅ ἐστιν
μεθερμηνευόμενον Χριστός])
rabbi (ῥαββί/ῥαββεί < רַבִּי): teacher (John 1:38, “which is interpreted, ‘teacher’” [ὃ
λεγεται μεθερμηνευόμενον Διδάσκαλε])
rabboni (ῥαββουνι/ῥα/ββουωεί/ῥββονί/ῥαββονεί < רַבּןֹנִי): teacher (John 20:16, “which
means ‘teacher’” [ὃ λεγεται διδάσκαλε])
Raka (ῥακά/ῥαχά < רֵיקָא): “Fool” (Matthew 5:22)
Sabaoth (Σαβαώθ < צְבָאוּת): “[Lord of] hosts” (Romans 9:29 ASV)
Salem (Σαλήμ): "peace" (Hebrews 7:2, “that is, King of Peace [ὅ ἐστιν βασιλεὺς
εἰρήνης]”)
Siloam (Σιλωάμ < שִׁלַֹח): “Sent” (John 9:7, “which is interpreted [ὃ ἑρμηνεύεται
Ἀπεσταλμένος]”)
Tabitha (Ταβιθά < טַבְיְתָא): Dorcas (Acts 9:36, 40; “which is interpreted [ἣ
διερμηνευομένη λέγεται] Dorcas”)
Talitha cumi (Ταλιθα κουμ < טַלְיְתָא): (Mark 5:41, “which is interpreted, ‘Little girl,
get up [ὅ ἐστιν μεθερμηνεύω Τὸ κοράσιον, ἔγειρε]’”)
Three Taverns (Τριῶν Ταβερνῶν): Acts 28:15
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