2387. Iambrés

Lexicon

Iambrés: Jambres

Original Word: Ἰαμβρῆς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Iambrés
Pronunciation: ee-am-BRAYS
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-am-brace')
Definition: Jambres
Meaning: Jambres, a sorcerer at the court of the Pharaoh.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Jambres.

Of Egyptian origin; Jambres, an Egyptian -- Jambres.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Jambres, an Eg. sorcerer
NASB Translation
Jambres (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2387: Ἰαμβρῆς

Ἰαμβρῆς, ὁ, and ὁ Ἰάννης (cf. Buttmann, 20 (18)), Jambres (for which the Vulg. seems to have read Μαμβρης, as in the Babylonian Talmud tract. Menach c. 9 in the Gemara; cf. Buxtorf, Lex. Talm., p. 945f (p. 481f, Fischer edition)), and Jannes, two Egyptian magicians who in the presence of Pharaoh imitated the miracles of Aaron in order to destroy his influence with the king: 2 Timothy 3:8 (cf. Exodus 7:11f). The author of the Epistle derived their names from the tradition of the Talmudists and the rabbis (cf. B. D. article Jannes and Jambres). These Magi are mentioned not only in the tract of the Babyl. Talmud just referred to, but also in the Targ. of Jonath. on Exodus 7:11; the book Sohar on Numbers 22:22; Numenius περί ταγαθου in Origen contra Celsus 4, 51; Eusebius, praep. evang. 9, 8; Evang. Nicod. c. 5, and other writings enumerated by Thilo in his Cod. apocr., p. 552f; (and Wetstein on 2 Timothy, the passage cited; Holtzmann ibid., p. 140f).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: The name Ἰαμβρῆς is of uncertain origin, but it is traditionally associated with Egyptian or Semitic roots.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct corresponding Strong's Hebrew entries for Iambres, as the name does not appear in the Hebrew Bible. The reference to Iambres is based on Jewish tradition and is only found in the New Testament.

Usage: The name Iambres appears in the New Testament in 2 Timothy 3:8, where Paul references him alongside Jannes as examples of individuals who resisted the truth.

Context: Iambres is mentioned in the New Testament in 2 Timothy 3:8, where the Apostle Paul writes, "Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith." This reference is part of a larger passage where Paul warns Timothy about the presence of false teachers and those who resist the truth in the last days.

The mention of Iambres, along with Jannes, is not found in the Old Testament but is part of Jewish tradition and extra-biblical literature. These two magicians are traditionally identified as part of Pharaoh's court in Egypt, who attempted to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron. Their opposition to Moses is seen as symbolic of the broader resistance to God's truth and authority.

The inclusion of Iambres in Paul's epistle serves as a cautionary example of those who, despite witnessing the power of God, choose to resist and oppose His messengers. This opposition is characterized by a corrupt mind and a rejection of the faith, aligning with the broader theme of apostasy and false teaching that Paul addresses in his letters.

Forms and Transliterations

Ιαμβρης Ἰαμβρῆς ιαμείν ιαμίν Iambres Iambrês Iambrēs Iambrē̂s

Englishman's Concordance

2 Timothy 3:8 N-NMS
GRK: Ἰαννῆς καὶ Ἰαμβρῆς ἀντέστησαν Μωυσεῖ
NAS: as Jannes and Jambres opposed
KJV: Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses,
INT: Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses

Strong's Greek 2387
1 Occurrence

Ἰαμβρῆς — 1 Occ.