Νικάνωρ
Nicanor
Definition
Νικάνωρ (Nicanor) is a proper name of Greek origin, meaning 'victorious man' or 'conqueror'. In the New Testament, it refers specifically to one of the seven men chosen to serve the early Christian community in Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 6:5. This Nicanor is traditionally understood to be a Hellenistic Jew, appointed to ensure fair distribution to widows, highlighting the early church's administrative and inclusive structure. The name itself carries no distinct theological meaning beyond identifying this individual, and it appears only in this single biblical instance.
Biblical Usage
The word Νικάνωρ is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 6:5, where it identifies one of the seven men selected to assist the apostles. This usage is purely as a personal name within a narrative context, listing the individuals chosen for a practical, administrative role in the Jerusalem church. There are no patterns of usage across different books or contexts, as it is a unique reference.
Etymology
The name Νικάνωρ is derived from the Greek elements νίκη (nikē), meaning 'victory', and ἀνήρ (anēr), meaning 'man'. Thus, it literally translates to 'victorious man' or 'conqueror'. It was a common Greek personal name in the Hellenistic period, often borne by military figures or individuals of status, reflecting cultural values of strength and triumph.
Semantic Range
In the 1st-century Hellenistic world, names like Νικάνωρ were widespread, reflecting Greek cultural influence even among Jewish communities. Its meaning ('victorious man') aligned with common naming conventions that celebrated ideals of success and power. For the early church in Acts, appointing a man with a Greek name like Nicanor signified the community's cross-cultural reach and its effort to integrate Hellenistic Jews into leadership, addressing practical needs impartially.
There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. However, related Greek words based on the same root include: νίκη (nikē, G3529) — meaning 'victory', the root element of the name; and νικάω (nikaō, G3528) — a verb meaning 'to conquer' or 'to overcome', as used in passages like John 16:33 and 1 John 5:4.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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