Lexical Summary Suros: Syrian Original Word: Σύρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Syrian. From the same as Suria; a Syran (i.e. Probably Tyrian), a native of Syria -- Syrian. see GREEK Suria NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Suria Definition Syrian NASB Translation Syrian (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4948: ΣύροςΣύρος, Σύρου, ὁ, a Syrian, i. e. a native or an inhabitant of Syria: Luke 4:27; feminine Σύρα, a Syrian woman, Mark 7:26 Tr WH marginal reading ((Herodotus, others.)) Topical Lexicon Occurrence in the New Testament Strong’s Greek 4948 (Syros, “Syrian”) appears once, in Luke 4:27. Jesus, teaching in the synagogue at Nazareth, says, “And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha; yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). Background of Syria and the Arameans In Scripture “Syria” corresponds broadly to ancient Aram, stretching from the Lebanon range to the Euphrates. Its chief cities included Damascus and, in the Roman era, Antioch. The Arameans (often rendered “Syrians” in English Old Testament translations) were frequent rivals of Israel (for example, 1 Kings 20; 2 Kings 6–7). Yet Israel also shared familial roots with Aram: Rebekah, Laban, and Rachel hailed from Paddan-Aram (Genesis 24:10; Genesis 29:16). Thus Syria represents both kinship and conflict, a neighbor that alternately opposed and interacted with the covenant people. Naaman the Syrian: A Case Study of Divine Grace 2 Kings 5 introduces Naaman, “commander of the army of the king of Aram” and “a great man in the sight of his master and highly honored” (2 Kings 5:1). Though afflicted with leprosy, he was healed after obeying Elisha’s instruction to wash seven times in the Jordan. Naaman confessed, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15). His account highlights: Jesus’ Use of the Example in Nazareth (Luke 4:27) By citing Naaman, Jesus underscored two truths: 1. Israel’s prophets often found receptive faith outside Israel when their own people were unbelieving. The illustration provoked anger in Nazareth (Luke 4:28-29) because it challenged ethnic exclusivism and foreshadowed the incoming Gentile mission. Syrians in Salvation History • Damascus became an early sphere of apostolic activity (Acts 9:1-25). Theological Implications 1. Sovereign Grace: God chooses recipients of mercy irrespective of nationality. Practical Applications for Ministry • Guard against parochial attitudes; expect God to work in unexpected places and peoples. Summary Though Strong’s Greek 4948 appears only once, its single occurrence powerfully affirms the wideness of God’s mercy. From Naaman’s healing to the flourishing of the church in Syrian Antioch, Scripture testifies that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Titus 2:11). Forms and Transliterations Συρος Σύρος Suros Syros SýrosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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