Nazarene
/ˌnæzəˈriːn/
noun
Origin
Hebrew
נצר (n-ṣ-r) — branch or watch/keep
Overview
Meaning Now
- A person from the city of Nazareth.
- A title or descriptive term for Jesus of Nazareth.
- Historically, an early sect of Jewish Christians.
Literal older meaning
one belonging to Nazareth
Language path
Hebrew → Aramaic → Koine Greek → Late Latin → English
Earliest form
Ναζωραῖος (Nazōraios)
Earliest period
1st century AD
Journey
The term is used in the New Testament to identify Jesus' home in Nazareth. Some scholars debate whether 'Nazarene' relates to the Hebrew word 'netzer' (branch), potentially referencing Isaiah 11:1, or to 'nāṣar' (to watch/keep).
Evolution
- 1st century AD, Greek
Ναζαρηνός (Nazarēnos)
“of or from Nazareth”
Adjectival form denoting geographic origin.
- Late Latin
Nazarenus
“Nazarene”
Latinization of the Greek terms.
- Middle English
Nazarene
“a resident of Nazareth”
Introduced through biblical translation.
Connections
Word parts
Nazareth
root
Place name in Galilee
-ene
suffix
belonging to
Related across languages
Arabic
Naṣārā (نصارى)
Christians
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.