ἱππεύς (hippeus)
hippeus
horseman
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun hippeus refers to a horseman or mounted soldier, derived directly from the word for horse, hippos. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both within the narrative of Acts, where it describes the military escorts surrounding the Apostle Paul.
These occurrences highlight the word’s specific context: Roman cavalry protecting a prisoner during transport. In Acts 23:23 and 32, the term identifies the soldiers who ride to ensure Paul’s safe passage from Jerusalem to Caesarea, illustrating the practical use of mounted troops in maintaining order and security for high-profile detainees.
While the Old Testament often uses this concept for chariots or riders in battle, the New Testament usage is strictly historical and administrative. It serves as a concrete detail in the account of Paul’s journey, grounding the spiritual narrative in the reality of Roman military logistics without adding theological commentary on warfare itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hippeus simply means a horseman or mounted soldier. In the New Testament, it appears only twice in the book of Acts. These verses describe the Roman cavalry assigned to protect the Apostle Paul during his transfer from Jerusalem to Caesarea. This is not a metaphor for spiritual warfare but a historical detail showing how the early church navigated political and legal dangers.
For your faith, this reminds us that God’s plans are carried out within real-world circumstances. Even when believers face serious charges or dangerous journeys, God provides protection through ordinary means. The presence of these soldiers ensured Paul’s safety, allowing him to continue his mission despite the threats against him.
You can take comfort in knowing that God works through both miraculous and practical provisions. Whether through sudden interventions or steady administrative processes, His care remains constant. This word grounds the biblical narrative in history, showing that your faith is part of a real story unfolding in time and space.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- horsemen2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἱππεῖς2×
Key Verses
-
Acts 23:23
He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”
This verse specifies the exact number of horsemen (seventy) required for Paul's escort, highlighting the significant military resources allocated to ensure his safety.
-
Acts 23:32
But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks.
Here the horsemen complete their duty by delivering Paul safely, demonstrating the effectiveness of the protection provided during the journey.