Lexical Definition
Ναζαρέθ Nazaréth (nad-zar-eth') Nazareth N:N--L
of uncertain derivation
Nazareth.
- Nazareth or Nazaret, a place in Palestine
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ναζιραίον | a Nazarite | LXX.Judg.13.5 |
| Ναζηραίοσ | a Nazarite | LXX.Judg.16.17 |
| Ναζηραίον | a Nazarite | LXX.Judg.13.7 |
| Ναζαρὲτ | Nazareth | Mark.1.9 • John.1.46 |
| Ναζαρὲθ | Nazareth | Matt.21.11 • Luke.1.26 • Luke.2.51 |
| of Nazareth | Luke.2.4 | |
| Ναζαρὰ | Nazareth | Luke.4.16 |
| Ναζαρέτ | Nazareth | Matt.2.23 • John.1.45 |
| Ναζαρέθ | Nazareth | Luke.2.39 • Acts.10.38 |
| Ναζαρά | Nazareth | Matt.4.13 |
Abbott-Smith
Ναζαρά (Mt 4:13—L, -άθ—Lk 4:16), Ναζαρέθ (Mt 21:11, Ac 10:38), Ναζαρέτ (so always Rec.; WH, in foll, instances, where -έθ, T), ἡ, indecl. (Semitic form uncertain),
Nazareth: Mt 2:23, Mk 1:9, Lk 1:26 2:4, 39, 51, Jo 1:45, 46.†
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Matthew | 2:23 · 4:13 · 21:11 |
| Mark | 1:9 |
| Luke | 1:26 · 2:4 · 2:39 · 2:51 · 4:16 |
| John | 1:45 · 1:46 |
| Acts | 10:38 |
Profile
Nazareth • The hometown of Jesus in Galilee
Nazareth was a village in Galilee where Jesus grew up, giving rise to His title "Jesus of Nazareth."
- A location first mentioned at Mat.2.23;
- referred to as Nazareth Ναζαρέθ, or Nazareth or Nazarene Ναζαρηνός, or Nazareth or Nazarene Ναζωραῖος.
Nazareth was a village in the region of Galilee, located about 15 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It is best known as the hometown of Jesus Christ (Matt. 2:23; Luke 1:26; 2:39, 51; 4:16). Jesus was often referred to as "Jesus of Nazareth" or "the Nazarene" (Mark 1:24; 10:47; Luke 18:37; 24:19; John 18:5, 7; 19:19; Acts 2:22; 10:38).
Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament or in other ancient literature, suggesting it was a small, relatively insignificant village. The Gospels record that Jesus grew up in Nazareth, preached in its synagogue (Luke 4:16-30), and was initially rejected by its inhabitants (Matt. 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:28-30).
In the first century, Nazareth had a negative reputation, as evidenced by Nathanael's question, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46). However, Jesus' upbringing in Nazareth fulfilled the prophecy that He would be called a Nazarene (Matt. 2:23), a term possibly derived from the Hebrew word "netzer," meaning "branch" or "shoot," and alluding to the Messiah (Isa. 11:1).