5402. Phoibé

Lexicon

Phoibé: Phoebe

Original Word: Φοίβη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Phoibé
Pronunciation: foy-BAY
Phonetic Spelling: (foy'-bay)
Definition: Phoebe
Meaning: Phoebe, a Christian woman in the church at Cenchreae.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Phoebe

Feminine of phoibos (bright; probably akin to the base of phos); Phoebe, a Christian woman -- Phebe.

see GREEK phos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
fem. of phoibos (bright)
Definition
Phoebe, a deaconess
NASB Translation
Phoebe (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5402: Φοίβη

Φοίβη, Φοιβης, ἡ (literally, 'bright', 'radiant'), Phoebe or Phebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, near Corinth Romans 16:1 ((see διάκονος, 2 at the end)).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word "φοῖβος" (phoibos), meaning "bright" or "radiant."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for the Greek name Phoebe, as it is a proper noun specific to the New Testament context. However, the concept of a "servant" or "minister" can be related to Hebrew terms such as עֶבֶד (eved, Strong's Hebrew 5650) meaning "servant" or "slave," and שָׁרַת (sharat, Strong's Hebrew 8334) meaning "to minister" or "to serve."

Usage: The name Phoebe appears in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Romans. She is recognized as a servant of the church in Cenchreae.

Context: Phoebe is a notable figure in the New Testament, mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans. In Romans 16:1-2 (BSB), Paul writes: "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchreae. Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her with anything she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me."

Phoebe is described as a "servant" (Greek: διάκονος, diakonos) of the church in Cenchreae, a port city near Corinth. The term "servant" indicates her role in the early Christian community, which may have included responsibilities akin to those of a deacon. Her commendation by Paul suggests she was a woman of significant standing and trust within the church, possibly entrusted with delivering Paul's letter to the Romans.

The mention of Phoebe highlights the important roles women played in the early church, serving in various capacities and contributing to the spread of the Gospel. Paul's request for the Roman believers to assist her underscores the mutual support and hospitality expected within the Christian community.

Forms and Transliterations

Φοιβην Φοίβην φοινικούν Phoiben Phoibēn Phoíben Phoíbēn

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 16:1 N-AFS
GRK: δὲ ὑμῖν Φοίβην τὴν ἀδελφὴν
NAS: to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant
KJV: I commend unto you Phebe our sister,
INT: moreover to you Phoebe the sister

Strong's Greek 5402
1 Occurrence

Φοίβην — 1 Occ.