βυρσεύς (burseus)
burseus
tanner
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun byrseus simply means "tanner," referring to a worker who processes animal hides into leather. Its root lies in the word for hide, pointing directly to the physical labor involved in this trade. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, all within the book of Acts.
This term carries significant narrative weight because it identifies Simon, a resident of Joppa, as the host for the apostle Peter. The profession is notable in its historical context, as tanning often involved handling animals considered unclean under Jewish law, which would have made Simon’s home socially marginal. This detail sets the stage for the vision Peter receives while staying there, challenging early Christian boundaries regarding purity and association.
Translators consistently render byrseus as "tanner," preserving the straightforward nature of the occupation. The word highlights how ordinary trades intersected with pivotal moments in the spread of the gospel, showing that faith communities emerged from diverse social backgrounds.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word burseus, meaning tanner, appears only in Acts when describing Simon’s home where Peter stayed. This profession involved working with animal hides, a task that often carried social stigma in first-century Jewish culture due to contact with unclean materials. By choosing to stay at Simon’s house, Peter entered a space that crossed traditional purity boundaries.
This detail reminds us that God uses ordinary people and everyday jobs to advance His plans. The gospel does not require perfection or high status; it meets us in the midst of our daily work and community. Peter’s presence there shows that faith communities are built across social lines, welcoming those from all backgrounds.
When we read this account, we see how God prepares moments for revelation through simple human connections. The tanner’s home became a place where new understanding about inclusion and grace was shared, showing that ordinary settings can hold extraordinary spiritual significance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a tanner.1×
- a tanner,1×
- a tanner1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βυρσέως1×
- βυρσεῖ.¶1×
- βυρσεῖ,1×
Key Verses
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Acts 9:43
He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
This verse introduces Simon the tanner as Peter’s host in Joppa, establishing the setting for subsequent events.
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Acts 10:6
He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the seaside.
Here the angel directs Cornelius to Simon, highlighting how God uses ordinary tradespeople to guide important spiritual encounters.
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Acts 10:32
Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’
This reference confirms Peter’s location at Simon’s seaside house, showing the continuity of his stay during a pivotal moment in early church history.