Ἑλληνίς=Ἑλληνίς (Hellēnis)
Hellēnis
Gentile
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Hellēnis refers specifically to a Greek woman, distinguishing her by language and culture rather than ethnicity alone. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, serving as a precise identifier for women who were not Jewish. The sources note its use in Mark 7:26 for the Syrophoenician woman and Acts 17:12 among the prominent women in Thessalonica.
This word highlights the social boundaries of the first century. By specifying "Greek woman," the text emphasizes that these individuals operated outside the Jewish covenant community, yet were still recognized as significant figures within their own cultural context. The term does not carry a derogatory sense but simply marks a distinct identity in a mixed society.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Hellēnis identifies a woman who was culturally Greek rather than Jewish. In the first century, this distinction mattered deeply for social and religious boundaries. Yet Scripture shows us that these cultural labels did not stop God from drawing people to Himself. When we look at the New Testament, we see individuals stepping across those lines simply by seeking truth.
Consider the Syrophoenician woman in Mark’s Gospel. She approached Jesus despite being outside the Jewish community. Her faith was not defined by her background but by her persistent trust. Similarly, prominent Greek women in Thessalonica believed and supported the early church. These stories remind us that identity in Christ transcends ethnic or cultural categories.
This word invites us to look beyond our own circles. It encourages humility and openness toward those who are different from us. God’s grace reaches across every boundary. We are called to welcome others with the same warmth and respect shown in these ancient texts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Grecian1×
- Gentile1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἑλληνίδων1×
- Ἑλληνὶς1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 7:26
Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter.
This verse identifies the Syrophoenician woman as a Greek, highlighting her cultural distance from Jesus' primary Jewish audience while emphasizing her persistent faith.
-
Acts 17:12
Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men.
Here the term specifies that prominent Greek women in Thessalonica believed, showing early church growth among non-Jewish, high-status individuals.