Lexical Summary Nazara or Nazaret or Nazareth: Nazareth Original Word: Ναζαρά, Ναζαρέτ, Ναζαρέθ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Nazareth. Or Nazaret nad-zar-et'; of uncertain derivation; Nazareth or Nazaret, a place in Palestine -- Nazareth. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition Nazareth, a city in Galilee NASB Translation Nazareth (12). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3478: ΝαζαρέτΝαζαρέτ ((so Rec.st everywhere; Lachmann also in Mark 1:9; Luke 2:39, 51; Luke 4:16; John 1:45f (46f); Tdf. in Mark 1:9; John 1:45f (46f); Tr text in Luke 1:26; Luke 2:4; Luke 4:16; John 1:45f (46f); Tr marginal reading in Mark 1:9; Luke 2:39, 51; and WH everywhere except in four passages soon to be mentioned), Ναζαρέθ (so Rec.elz ten times, Rec.bez six times, T and Tr except in the passages already given or about to be given; L in Matthew 2:23; Matthew 21:11 (so WH here); Luke 1:26; Acts 10:38 (so WH here)), Ναζαραθ (L in Matthew 4:13 and Luke 2:4, after codex Delta but with little other attestation (Hort)), Ναζαρά (Matthew 4:13 T Tr WH; Luke 4:16 T WH)), ἡ, indeclinable, (and τά Ναζαρά, Origen and Julianus Africanus in Eusebius, h. e. 1, 7, 14; cf. Keith, Jesu von Naz. i., p. 319f. (English translation, ii., p. 16) and ii., p. 421f. (English translation, iv., p. 108), who thinks Nazara preferable to the other forms (but see WHs Appendix, p. 160{a}; Tdf. Proleg., p. 120; Scrivener, Introduction, chapter viii. § 5; Alford, Greek Testament, vol. i. Proleg., p. 97)), Nazareth, a town of lower Galilee, mentioned neither in the O. T., nor by Josephus, nor in the Talmud (unless it is to be recognized in the appellation נֵצֶר בֶּן, given there to Jesus Christ). It was built upon a hill, in a very lovely region (cf. Renan, Vie de Jesus, 14{me} edition, p. 27f. (Wilbour's translation (N. Y. 1865), pp. 69ff; see also Robinson, Researches, etc. ii., 336f)), and was distant from Jerusalem a three days' journey, from Tiberias eight hours (or less); it was the home of Jesus (Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:1); its present name is en Nazirah, a town of from five to six thousand inhabitants (cf. Baedeker, Palestine and Syria, p. 359): Matthew 2:23; Matthew 4:13; Matthew 21:11; Mark 1:9; Luke 1:26; Luke 2:4, 39, 51; Luke 4:16; John 1:45f (46f); Acts 10:39. As respects the Hebrew form of the name, it is disputed whether it was נֵצֶר 'a sprout', 'shoot' (so, besides others, Hengstenberg, Christol. des A. T. ii., 124f. (English translation, ii., 106f); but cf. Gieseler in the Studien und Kritiken for 1831, p. 588f), or נֹצְרָה, 'protectress', 'guard' (cf. 2 Kings 17:9; so Keim, as above), or נִצֶרֶת, 'sentinel' (so Delitzsch in the Zeitschr. f. Luth. Theol. for 1876, p. 401), or נְצֹרֶת 'watch-tower' (so Ewald in the Götting. gelehrt. Anzeigen for 1867, p. 1602f). For a further account of the town cf. Robinson, as above, pp. 333-343; Tobler, Nazareth in Palästina. Berl. 1868; (Hackett in B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Nazareth was a small agricultural village in Lower Galilee, set in the hills about twenty-five kilometers west of the Sea of Galilee and some six kilometers south of Sepphoris. Surrounded by fertile valleys yet itself somewhat secluded, it lay off the major trade routes. First-century remains point to a modest population, fitting Scripture’s portrayal of an unpretentious community (John 1:46). Biblical Occurrences The name appears twelve times in the Greek New Testament, clustered in the Gospels and once in Acts. Matthew 2:23 marks Joseph’s decision to settle there on his return from Egypt. Luke 1:26 places Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary in the town, and Luke 2:39-51 records that Jesus was raised there and “was submissive to them…And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:51-52). Nazareth becomes the point of identification for Jesus: “Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 10:38), “Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee” (Mark 1:9), the “prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:11). Ministry Significance 1. Incarnation and Humanity: By choosing an obscure Galilean village rather than Jerusalem or Rome, God displayed the humility of the Incarnate Son. The Savior’s formative years among ordinary artisans underscore Hebrews 4:15—His complete identification with humankind. Prophetic Fulfillment Matthew 2:23 states, “so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” While no single Old Testament verse uses the term, the plural “prophets” signals a thematic rather than verbal fulfillment. Three main lines converge: Reception and Rejection Nazareth’s initial response to Jesus was unbelief. After His Sabbath exposition, the townspeople attempted to throw Him off a cliff (Luke 4:29). Their familiarity with His earthly family bred contempt (Matthew 13:55-58). Yet later, the risen Lord’s followers proudly bore the designation “Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5), transforming a term of scorn into a badge of discipleship. Historical and Archaeological Notes Excavations reveal stone dwellings, hewn cisterns, and agricultural terraces dating to the first century, affirming the Gospel picture of a working-class village. A nearby ridge offers panoramic views over the Jezreel Valley—likely the “brow of the hill” in Luke 4:29. Early Christian tradition marks Mary’s well and the ancient synagogue site, both consistent with Luke’s narrative. Theological Reflections • God delights to use what the world deems insignificant (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Nazareth embodies this principle, reminding believers that spiritual greatness is measured by divine purpose, not earthly stature. Summary Nazareth, though geograpically minor, occupies a central place in redemptive history. It was the scene of the annunciation, the home in which the Son of God matured, the context of His first public declaration, and the origin-label by which the risen Christ is still known. In the wisdom of God, the humble village of Galilee became the cradle of salvation for the world. Forms and Transliterations Ναζαρα Ναζαρά Ναζαρὰ Ναζαρεθ Ναζαρέθ Ναζαρὲθ Ναζαρετ Ναζαρέτ Ναζαρὲτ Nazara Nazará Nazarà Nazaret Nazarét Nazarèt Nazareth Nazaréth NazarèthLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 2:23 NGRK: πόλιν λεγομένην Ναζαρέτ ὅπως πληρωθῇ NAS: called Nazareth. [This was] to fulfill KJV: called Nazareth: that INT: a city called Nazareth so that should be fulfilled Matthew 4:13 N Matthew 21:11 N Mark 1:9 N Luke 1:26 N Luke 2:4 N Luke 2:39 N Luke 2:51 N Luke 4:16 N John 1:45 N John 1:46 N Acts 10:38 N Strong's Greek 3478 |
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