2385. Iakóbos

Lexical Summary

Iakóbos: James

Original Word: Ἰάκωβος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Iakóbos
Pronunciation: ee-ak'-o-bos
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ak'-o-bos)
KJV: James
NASB: James
Word Origin: [the same as G2384 (Ἰακώβ - Jacob) Graecized]

1. Jacobus, the name of three Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

James.

The same as Iakob Graecized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites -- James.

see GREEK Iakob

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as Iakób
Definition
James, the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
James (42).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2385: Ἰάκωβος

Ἰάκωβος, Ἰακώβου, ὁ (see the preceding word (and cf. Buttmann, 6, 18 (16))), James;

1. son of Zebedee, an apostle, and brother of the apostle John (commonly called James the greater or elder). He was slain with the sword by the command of king Herod Agrippa I. (circa A.D. 44): Matthew 4:21; Matthew 10:2 (); ; Mark 1:19, 29; Mark 3:17; Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2; Mark 10:35, 41; Mark 13:3; Mark 14:33; Luke 5:10; Luke 6:14; Luke 8:51; Luke 9:28, 54; Acts 1:13; Acts 12:2.

2. James (commonly called the less), an apostle, son of Alphaeus: Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13; apparently identical with Ἰάκωβος ὁ μικρός James the little (A. V. the less), the son of Mary, Mark 15:40 (Matthew 27:56); , wife of Cleophas (i. e. Clopas, which see) or Alphaeus, John 19:25; see in Ἁλφαῖος, and in Μαρία, 3.

3. James, the brother of our Lord (see ἀδελφός, 1): Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19 (where εἰ μή is employed according to a usage illustrated under εἰ, III. 8 c. β'.); ; Acts 12:1?; ; 1 Corinthians 15:7 (?); James 1:1, the leader of the Jewish Christians, and by them surnamed ὁ δίκαιος the Just, the overseer (or bishop) of the church at Jerusalem down to the year 62 or 63 (or according to Hegesippus in Eusebius, h. e. 2, 23 (translated in B. D., p. 1206) down to 69, which is hardly probable (see Heinichen's note at the passage)), in which year he suffered martyrdom, Josephus, Antiquities 20, 9, 1. In opposition to the orthodox opinion (defended in B. D. under the word ), which identifies this James with James the son of Alphaeus, and understands ὁ ἀδελφός τοῦ κυρίου to mean his cousin, cf. especially Clemen in Winer's Zeitschr. f. wissensch. Theol. for 1829, p. 351ff; Blom, Diss. de τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ... τοῦ κυρίου. Lugd. 1839; Wilib. Grimm in Ersch u. Gruber's Encycl., Sect. 2, vol. 23, p. 80ff; Schaff, Das Verhältniss des Jacobus, Bruders des Herrn, zu Jacobus Alphäi. Beth 1842 (also his Church Hist. (1882) i., 272f); Hilgenfeld, Galaterbrief etc., p. 138ff; Hausrath in Sehenkel iii., p. 175ff; (Sieffert in Herzog edition 2, vi., 464ff; and references under the word ἀδελφός, 1 (especially Lightfoot)).

4. An unknown James, father of the apostle Judas (or Jude): Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13, according to the opinion of those interpreters who think that not ἀδελφόν but υἱόν must be supplied in the phrase Ιουδαν Ἰακώβου; see Ἰούδας, 8.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

The Greek name Ἰάκωβος (Iakōbos, Strong’s 2385) appears forty-two times in the Greek New Testament and designates several distinct individuals who played strategic roles in the life of Jesus Christ and in the formation of the early Church. The name corresponds to the Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (Jacob) and thereby carries forward Old Testament associations of covenant continuity, pilgrimage, and promise.

James the son of Zebedee

• One of the first four disciples called by Jesus (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10).
• Partner with his brother John and with Peter in the most intimate moments of the Lord’s earthly ministry: the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37), the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28), and the Gethsemane vigil (Mark 14:33).
• Characterized, along with John, by fervency of spirit—“Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17).
• First of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom, executed by Herod Agrippa I about A.D. 44 (Acts 12:2). His death fulfilled Jesus’ earlier prediction concerning the “cup” of suffering (Mark 10:35-41).
• His early martyrdom removed him from later apostolic debates, but it powerfully demonstrated the cost of discipleship and fortified the Church’s resolve under persecution.

James the son of Alphaeus

• Listed among the Twelve (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13).
• Often identified with “James the Less” (Mark 15:40) and possibly with the “James the son of Mary” present at the crucifixion and resurrection events (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10).
• Scripture records no words of his, yet the consistent inclusion of his name among the apostles underlines the pattern that faithful, quiet service is honored by God.

James, the brother of the Lord

• Designated “the Lord’s brother” (Galatians 1:19) and leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17; 21:18).
• Saw the risen Christ in a private post-resurrection appearance (1 Corinthians 15:7), which transformed him from initial unbelief (John 7:5) to pillar of the faith (Galatians 2:9).
• Presided over the Jerusalem Council, bringing Scripture and the witness of the Spirit to bear on the Jew-Gentile question: “It is my judgment…” (Acts 15:13-21). His appeal to Amos 9:11-12 bound together prophetic promise and apostolic mission.
• Authored the Epistle of James, opening with, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.” (James 1:1). Church fathers testify to his devotion to prayer and his sobriquet “James the Just.”
• Received emissaries from Jerusalem to Antioch (Galatians 2:12), demonstrating his pastoral influence and ongoing concern for doctrinal purity combined with practical holiness.

James the father of Judas (not Iscariot)

• Briefly mentioned in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13. Though little is known of him, the reference indicates the commonality of the name and distinguishes Judas son of James from Judas Iscariot.

Collective Representation among the Apostles

Having two of the Twelve—and possibly three—named James underscores the prevalence of the name in first-century Judaism and reminds readers that God calls people from ordinary, even overlapping, backgrounds into His extraordinary service.

Role in the Early Jerusalem Church

The transition from the primacy of the Twelve to the broader eldership finds a key figure in James, the Lord’s brother. His ability to lead Jewish believers while recognizing Gentile inclusion provided essential unity. The respectful deference Paul shows him (Acts 21:18-26) illustrates balanced apostolic cooperation.

Testimony to the Resurrection

The unique appearance of the risen Christ to James (1 Corinthians 15:7) supplied irrefutable evidence to a once-skeptical relative. This encounter fortified the credibility of the resurrection among the earliest Jewish believers and contributed to the creed Paul cites in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, dating within a few years of the event.

Epistle of James: Themes and Theology

• Faith proved genuine through works (James 2:14-26).
• Wisdom from above versus earthly wisdom (James 3:13-18).
• The power of the tongue and the necessity of bridling speech (James 3:1-12).
• Pastoral concern for the poor and warning to the rich (James 1:9-11; 5:1-6).
• Patient endurance under trial, with Job and Elijah as exemplars (James 5:7-18).

By weaving practical exhortations with echoes of the Sermon on the Mount, the letter shows the seamless harmony between Jesus’ teaching and apostolic doctrine.

Later Traditions and Martyrdom Accounts

Early historians such as Josephus (Antiquities 20.9.1) and Hegesippus describe James the Just as martyred around A.D. 62, thrown from the Temple pinnacle and then beaten. While external to Scripture, the accounts align with the New Testament portrayal of a leader whose life personified steadfastness under persecution.

Practical Applications for the Church

• The multiple Jameses remind believers that prominence is not prerequisite for eternal significance; even the “Less” has his name inscribed on the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14).
• James the Just models doctrinal conviction tethered to compassionate shepherding, a balance vital for church leadership.
• The Epistle of James challenges every generation to display an authentic faith that acts, speaks truthfully, and endures. As he writes, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22).

Forms and Transliterations

Ιακωβον Ἰάκωβον ΙΑΚΩΒΟΣ Ἰάκωβος Ιακωβου Ἰακώβου Ιακωβω Ἰακώβῳ Iakobo Iakōbō Iakṓboi Iakṓbōi Iakobon Iakōbon Iákobon Iákōbon IAKoBOS IAKŌBOS Iákobos Iákōbos Iakobou Iakōbou Iakṓbou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 4:21 N-AMS
GRK: δύο ἀδελφούς Ἰάκωβον τὸν τοῦ
NAS: brothers, James the [son] of Zebedee,
KJV: brethren, James [the son] of
INT: two brothers James the [son]

Matthew 10:2 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ καὶ Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ
NAS: his brother; and James the son of Zebedee,
KJV: brother; James [the son] of
INT: of him and James the [son] of

Matthew 10:3 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ τελώνης Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ
NAS: the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus,
KJV: the publican; James [the son] of
INT: the tax collector James the [son]

Matthew 13:55 N-NMS
GRK: ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ Ἰάκωβος καὶ Ἰωσὴφ
NAS: and His brothers, James and Joseph
KJV: his brethren, James, and Joses,
INT: brothers of him James and Joseph

Matthew 17:1 N-AMS
GRK: Πέτρον καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ Ἰωάννην
NAS: with Him Peter and James and John
KJV: taketh Peter, James, and John
INT: Peter and James and John

Matthew 27:56 N-GMS
GRK: ἡ τοῦ Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰωσὴφ
NAS: the mother of James and Joseph,
KJV: Mary the mother of James and Joses,
INT: the of James and Joseph

Mark 1:19 N-AMS
GRK: ὀλίγον εἶδεν Ἰάκωβον τὸν τοῦ
NAS: He saw James the son of Zebedee,
KJV: he saw James the [son]
INT: a little he saw James the [son]

Mark 1:29 N-GMS
GRK: Ἀνδρέου μετὰ Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰωάννου
NAS: and Andrew, with James and John.
KJV: Andrew, with James and John.
INT: Andrew with James and John

Mark 3:17 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ Ἰάκωβον τὸν τοῦ
NAS: and James, the [son] of Zebedee,
KJV: And James the [son] of Zebedee,
INT: and James the [son] of

Mark 3:17 N-GMS
GRK: ἀδελφὸν τοῦ Ἰακώβου καὶ ἐπέθηκεν
NAS: the brother of James (to them He gave
KJV: the brother of James; and
INT: brother of James and he added

Mark 3:18 N-AMS
GRK: Θωμᾶν καὶ Ἰάκωβον τὸν τοῦ
NAS: and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus,
KJV: and James the [son]
INT: Thomas and James the [son]

Mark 5:37 N-AMS
GRK: Πέτρον καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ Ἰωάννην
NAS: Peter and James and John
KJV: Peter, and James, and John
INT: Peter and James and John

Mark 5:37 N-GMS
GRK: τὸν ἀδελφὸν Ἰακώβου
NAS: and John the brother of James.
KJV: John the brother of James.
INT: the brother of James

Mark 6:3 N-GMS
GRK: καὶ ἀδελφὸς Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰωσῆτος
NAS: and brother of James and Joses
KJV: the brother of James, and Joses,
INT: and brother of James and Joseph

Mark 9:2 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ τὸν Ἰάκωβον καὶ τὸν
NAS: with Him Peter and James and John,
KJV: [with him] Peter, and James, and John,
INT: and James and

Mark 10:35 N-NMS
GRK: προσπορεύονται αὐτῷ Ἰάκωβος καὶ Ἰωάννης
NAS: James and John, the two
KJV: And James and John,
INT: come up to him James and John

Mark 10:41 N-GMS
GRK: ἀγανακτεῖν περὶ Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰωάννου
NAS: to feel indignant with James and John.
KJV: with James and
INT: to be indignant about James and John

Mark 13:3 N-NMS
GRK: Πέτρος καὶ Ἰάκωβος καὶ Ἰωάννης
NAS: Peter and James and John
KJV: Peter and James and John
INT: Peter and James and John

Mark 14:33 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ τὸν Ἰάκωβον καὶ τὸν
NAS: with Him Peter and James and John,
KJV: Peter and James and John,
INT: and James and

Mark 15:40 N-GMS
GRK: Μαρία ἡ Ἰακώβου τοῦ μικροῦ
NAS: the mother of James the Less
KJV: Mary the mother of James the less and
INT: Mary the [mother] of James the least

Mark 16:1 N-GMS
GRK: ἡ τοῦ Ἰακώβου καὶ Σαλώμη
NAS: and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome,
KJV: the [mother] of James, and
INT: the [mother] of James and Salome

Luke 5:10 N-AMS
GRK: δὲ καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ Ἰωάννην
NAS: also [were] James and John,
KJV: so [was] also James, and John,
INT: moreover also James and John

Luke 6:14 N-AMS
GRK: αὐτοῦ καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ Ἰωάννην
NAS: his brother; and James and John;
KJV: his brother, James and John,
INT: of him and James and John

Luke 6:15 N-AMS
GRK: Θωμᾶν καὶ Ἰάκωβον Ἁλφαίου καὶ
NAS: and Thomas; James [the son] of Alphaeus,
KJV: Thomas, James the
INT: Thomas and James [son of] Alphaeus and

Luke 6:16 N-GMS
GRK: καὶ Ἰούδαν Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰούδαν
NAS: Judas [the son] of James, and Judas
KJV: And Judas [the brother] of James, and
INT: and Judas [brother] of James and Judas

Strong's Greek 2385
42 Occurrences

Ἰακώβῳ — 2 Occ.
Ἰάκωβον — 16 Occ.
Ἰάκωβος — 11 Occ.
Ἰακώβου — 13 Occ.