Lexical Summary neanias: young man Original Word: νεανίας Strong's Exhaustive Concordance young man. From a derivative of neos; a youth (up to about forty years) -- young man. see GREEK neos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom neos, Definition a young man NASB Translation young man (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3494: νεανίαςνεανίας, νεανίου, ὁ (from νέαν, and this from νέος; cf. μεγιστάν (which see), ξυνάν), from Homer down; Hebrew נַעַר and בָּחוּר; a young man: Acts 20:9; Acts 23:17, and R G in 18 (so here WH text), 22; it is used as in Greek writings, like the Latinadulescens and the Hebrew נַעַר (Genesis 41:12), of men between twenty-four and forty years of age (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 213; (Diogenes Laërtius 8, 10; other references in Stephanus' Thesaurus, see under the words, νεᾶνις, νεανίσκος): Acts 7:58. Topical Lexicon Term Overview Strong’s Greek 3494 identifies a male in the season of life between childhood and full adulthood. The word surfaces only three times in the New Testament, all in the Acts narrative, each time at a decisive turning-point in salvation history. Biblical Occurrences 1. Acts 7:58 – Saul, the future apostle, is introduced while “a young man” supervising Stephen’s execution. Historical and Social Background In both Jewish and Greco-Roman culture, youth bore significant communal expectations. A νεανίας would normally be of military age, physically vigorous, and beginning to shoulder civic or family responsibilities. Luke’s selective use of the term therefore flags individuals who stand on the threshold of influence and accountability. Theological Significance • Conversion and Transformation – The “young man” Saul embodies radical change: from persecutor at Stephen’s death to preacher of the gospel. His youthful zeal, when redirected by Christ, becomes missionary fervor. Lessons for Ministry Today 1. Disciple Emerging Leaders – Stephen’s martyrdom did not end in despair because the “young man” Saul would carry the gospel far beyond Jerusalem. Investing in youth can yield generational fruit. Related Biblical Themes • Timothy, though called “young” with a different Greek term (1 Timothy 4:12), mirrors the pattern: entrusted with leadership despite his age. Summary Strong’s 3494 highlights pivotal moments where God deploys youth to further His redemptive plan—whether through warning, resurrection, or future apostolic labor. Scripture thereby affirms the strategic place of young men in the church’s life and mission, urging every generation to steward its zeal for the glory of Christ. Forms and Transliterations νεανία νεανίαις νεανιαν νεανίαν νεανιας νεανίας νεανίδα νεάνιδα νεάνιδας νεάνιδες νεάνιδι νεάνιδος νεανίδων νεάνιν νεανιου νεανίου νεανίς νεάνις νεανίσκον νεανιών neanian neanían neanias neanías neaniou neaníou neaniskon neanískonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 7:58 N-GMSGRK: τοὺς πόδας νεανίου καλουμένου Σαύλου NAS: at the feet of a young man named KJV: at a young man's feet, INT: the feet of a young man called Saul Acts 20:9 N-NMS Acts 23:17 N-AMS Strong's Greek 3494 |
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