2957. Kuréné

Lexicon

Kuréné: Cyrene

Original Word: Κυρήνη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Kuréné
Pronunciation: koo-RAY-nay
Phonetic Spelling: (koo-ray'-nay)
Definition: Cyrene
Meaning: Cyrene, a district west of Egypt on the Mediterranean coast, forming with Crete a Roman province.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Cyrene.

Of uncertain derivation; Cyrene, a region of Africa -- Cyrene.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Cyrene, a city in N. Africa
NASB Translation
Cyrene (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2957: Κυρήνη

Κυρήνη, Κυρηνης, ἡ, Cyrene, a large and very flourishing city of Libya Cyrenaica or Pentapolitana, about 11 Roman miles from the sea. Among its inhabitants were great numbers of Jews, whom Ptolemy I. had brought thither, and invested with the rights of citizens: Acts 2:10. (BB. DD., under the word).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the name of a city in North Africa, located in the region of Cyrenaica, which is present-day Libya.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for Κυρήνη, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific Greek city. However, the concept of Jewish diaspora communities, like those in Cyrene, can be related to Hebrew terms for dispersion or exile, such as גָּלוּת (galut) or תְּפוּצָה (tefutsah).

Usage: The term Κυρήνη is used in the New Testament to refer to the city of Cyrene and its inhabitants. It appears in contexts related to the early Christian church and the spread of the Gospel.

Context: Κυρήνη, or Cyrene, was an ancient Greek city situated in the region of Cyrenaica in North Africa. It was founded around 630 BC by Greek settlers from the island of Thera. By the time of the New Testament, Cyrene had a substantial Jewish community, which played a significant role in the early Christian church.

In the New Testament, Cyrene is mentioned in several contexts. Notably, Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to Golgotha (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). This event highlights the presence of Cyrenians in Jerusalem during the Passover.

Additionally, men from Cyrene were among the first to preach the Gospel to Greeks in Antioch, as recorded in Acts 11:20: "But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus." This indicates the active role of Cyrenian believers in the early missionary efforts of the church.

Cyrenians were also present at Pentecost, as mentioned in Acts 2:10, where Jews from Cyrene were among those who heard the apostles speaking in tongues. This diverse representation at Pentecost underscores the widespread dispersion of Jews and the early reach of the Gospel message.

The city of Cyrene itself was a center of learning and culture, known for its philosophers and scholars. Its strategic location and vibrant community made it a significant hub for the exchange of ideas, including religious beliefs.

Forms and Transliterations

Κυρηνην Κυρήνην Kurenen Kurēnēn Kyrenen Kyrēnēn Kyrḗnen Kyrḗnēn

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 2:10 N-AFS
GRK: τῆς κατὰ Κυρήνην καὶ οἱ
NAS: around Cyrene, and visitors
KJV: of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers
INT: which [are] around Cyrene and those

Strong's Greek 2957
1 Occurrence

Κυρήνην — 1 Occ.