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Cyrene

Original Hebrew / Aramaic / Greek connected to this term

How to read this: there is rarely one magic “true meaning” hidden behind an English word. A lexicon records a word’s semantic range. The intended meaning is narrowed by grammar, sentence, author, historical usage and context.

GREEK · G2956

Κυρηναῖος

Kurēnaios — Cyrene

Κυρηναῖος, -α, -ον (Κυρήνη), of Cyrene, a Cyrenæan: Mat.27:32, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:2, Act.6:9 11:20 13:1.† (AS)

6 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G223

Ἀλέξανδρος

Alexandros — Alexander

Ἀλέξανδρος, -ου, ὁ, Alexander 1. Son of Simon of Cyrene: Mrk.15:21 2. A kinsman of the High Priest: Act.4:6. 3. A certain Jew: Act.19:33. 4. A coppersmith: 1Ti.1:20. 5. Perh. = 4 (see Ellic. on I Ti, l.with): 2Ti.4:14. † (AS)

5 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

Historical dictionary entry

A city (now Tripoli) in Upper Libya, North Africa, founded by a colony of Greeks (B.C. 630). It contained latterly a large number of Jews, who were introduced into the city by Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, because he thought they would contribute to the security of the place. They increased in number and influence; and we are thus prepared for the frequent references to them in connection with the early history of Christianity. Simon, who bore our Lord’s cross, was a native of this place (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21). Jews from Cyrene were in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:10); and Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue at Jerusalem (6:9). Converts belonging to Cyrene contributed to the formation of the first Gentile church at Antioch (11:20). Among “the prophets and teachers” who “ministered to the Lord at Antioch” was Lucius of Cyrene (13:1).

Scripture references

Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897). Historical dictionary wording reflects the scholarship and language of its era.

Compare other reference traditions

Look up Cyrene in Smith’s Bible Dictionary and ISBE →