Αἰνέας

Aeneas

Definition

Aeneas is the name of a specific individual mentioned in the New Testament, a paralyzed man healed by the Apostle Peter in the city of Lydda (Acts 9:33-34). The name itself is a personal identifier and does not carry multiple meanings. In the biblical narrative, Aeneas is presented as a man who had been bedridden for eight years due to paralysis. His healing serves as a pivotal event demonstrating apostolic authority and the power of Jesus Christ's name.

Biblical Usage

The name Aἰνέας is used exclusively in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 9:33 and 9:34. It is used solely as a proper noun to identify the man whom Peter heals. The usage is straightforward, serving to name the recipient of a miraculous healing that becomes a catalyst for evangelism in the region of Lydda and Sharon.

Etymology

The name Αἰνέας (Aineas) is of Greek origin. It is the same name borne by the legendary Trojan hero Aeneas, famous in Greco-Roman mythology and literature (e.g., Virgil's *Aeneid*). As a personal name, it was in use in the Hellenistic world, and its adoption by a Jewish man in Lydda reflects the cultural intermixing of the period.

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not theologically loaded, the story of Aeneas is significant. His healing by Peter (Acts 9:34) is a direct parallel to Jesus's healing of the paralytic (e.g., Mark 2:1-12), demonstrating the continuation of Jesus's ministry through his apostles. The miracle authenticates Peter's ministry and leads directly to widespread belief in the Lord throughout the region (Acts 9:35), illustrating how acts of compassion and power open doors for the gospel.

The use of a Greek name for a man in a Jewish town like Lydda highlights the pervasive Hellenistic culture in first-century Palestine. It signifies the everyday reality of cultural blending. For contemporary readers, the name might subtly connect this biblical figure to the heroic archetype from pagan mythology, but the biblical narrative completely redefines 'heroism' through an act of divine healing and humble faith.

There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Other individuals healed from paralysis include: χωλός (chōlos, G5560) — a general term for lame or crippled; παραλυτικός (paralytikos, G3885) — specifically paralyzed, the condition described for Aeneas.

Word Details

Scripture References