Σαμαρεῖτις

a Samaritan woman

Definition

Σαμαρεῖτις specifically denotes a female inhabitant of Samaria, the region between Judea and Galilee. In its sole New Testament occurrence (John 4:9), it refers to the woman Jesus meets at Jacob's well, highlighting her ethnic and religious identity as a Samaritan. The term carries the full weight of the historical and religious animosity between Jews and Samaritans, making her gender and ethnicity a double barrier in the narrative. There are no other distinct biblical senses, as its meaning is consistently tied to this geographic and ethnic origin.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in John 4:9. It appears in the context of Jesus' groundbreaking conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. The usage directly establishes the woman's identity, which is central to the theological shock of the scene: a Jewish rabbi openly speaking with a Samaritan woman, breaking significant social and religious taboos of the day.

Etymology

Derived directly from the Greek place name Σαμάρεια (Samareia, Strong's G4540), meaning 'Samaria.' The suffix -ῖτις is a common Greek feminine adjectival ending used to form demonyms (e.g., 'a woman from Samaria'). Thus, Σαμαρεῖτις literally means 'a Samaritan (woman),' identifying a person by their geographic and ethnic origin.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it identifies the central figure in one of the most profound dialogues in John's Gospel (John 4:1-42). Understanding that she is labeled a 'Samaritan woman' underscores the radical nature of Jesus' ministry, which intentionally crossed deep ethnic, religious, and gender divides to offer salvation. The encounter demonstrates that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for all people, breaking down human-made barriers and fulfilling the promise that true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth.

In the 1st-century Jewish cultural context, the term 'Samaritan woman' would have evoked strong prejudice. Samaritans were viewed as ethnically mixed and religiously schismatic, holding a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. Jewish-Samaritan relations were characterized by mutual hostility and avoidance. Furthermore, a public conversation between a man and an unrelated woman was culturally suspect. Thus, the label 'Σαμαρεῖτις' in John 4:9 would have immediately signaled to the original audience a person who was both a religious outsider and a socially inappropriate conversation partner for Jesus.

Σαμαρείτης (Samareitēs, G4541) — The masculine form, meaning a Samaritan man.

Word Details

Scripture References