Δαμασκηνός (Damaskēnos)
Damaskēnos
Damascus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective damaskēnos simply means "of Damascus" or "Damascene." It functions as a geographic descriptor, identifying someone or something originating from that major Syrian city. In the New Testament, it appears only once, serving as a precise label rather than a theological term.
This single occurrence is found in 2 Corinthians 11:32, where Paul mentions "the governor under Aretas the king" who guarded the city of the Damascenes. Here, the word modifies the noun for citizens or inhabitants, clarifying that the authorities were based in Damascus itself. It provides necessary historical context for Paul’s account of his escape from persecution.
Because it is a proper adjective derived directly from the city name, it carries no hidden spiritual nuance or metaphorical weight. Its value lies entirely in its specificity, anchoring Paul’s narrative to a real place and political reality. Translators consistently render it as "Damascene" or "of Damascus" to maintain this clear geographical reference.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Damaskēnos is a simple geographic label meaning "of Damascus." It appears only once in the New Testament, serving as a precise marker for the city where Paul faced serious danger. This single usage grounds our faith in real history rather than abstract ideas.
Paul mentions the Damascene authorities to show how close he came to arrest. The specific detail reminds us that God’s work often happens in ordinary places under difficult political conditions. We can trust that God sees us in our own local contexts, whether in a major city or a quiet town.
This word invites us to see the Bible as a record of real lives and real risks. It encourages us to remain faithful even when our surroundings feel hostile or uncertain. The story of Paul’s escape shows that God provides ways out when we need them most.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of the Damascenes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Δαμασκηνῶν1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 11:32
In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me.
This verse uses the word to specify the local authorities guarding the city, highlighting the immediate physical danger Paul faced during his ministry.