Greek word · G2280

Θαδδαῖος

thaddaios

Thaddaeus

Where the name comes from is uncertain. Proposals include an Aramaic word related to tad ('breast', hence something like 'dear one'), or a Semitic short form of a Greek name such as Theodotos or Theodoros. The variant 'Lebbaeus' may come from Hebrew/Aramaic leb, 'heart'.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Θαδδαῖος, -ου, ὁ (Aram. תּדִאַי, תַּדַּי),

Thaddæus: Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18 (WH, mg., Λεββαῖος, which see).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Mark 3:18

Range of meaning

Where the name comes from is uncertain. Proposals include an Aramaic word related to tad ('breast', hence something like 'dear one'), or a Semitic short form of a Greek name such as Theodotos or Theodoros. The variant 'Lebbaeus' may come from Hebrew/Aramaic leb, 'heart'.

Against the English

English versions give 'Thaddaeus' in Mark. The KJV of Matthew 10:3 has 'Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus', a combined reading in the Byzantine manuscripts.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matthew 10:3 has Thaddaeus, with Lebbaeus as a variant. Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 put 'Judas of James' in the corresponding place, and John 14:22 knows a 'Judas (not Iscariot)'. Codex Bezae reads Lebbaeus in Mark 3:18.

From the study of Matthew 10:3

Range of meaning

Thaddaeus is of uncertain origin. Suggestions include a short Aramaic form of a Greek name such as Theodotos or Theodoros, or a link to Aramaic tad ("breast"). Lebbaios is often linked to Hebrew/Aramaic lēb ("heart"). Both meanings are guesses, and neither is secure.

Against the English

Modern versions (BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB, NLT) print "Thaddaeus." KJV/NKJV and WEB print "Lebbaeus, whose surname was / who was also called Thaddaeus."

How it drifted

KJV "surname" reads today as a family name. The Greek epiklētheis means "who was called / nicknamed"; it is not an inherited surname.

Used elsewhere in the period

Mark 3:18 has Thaddaeus (with Lebbaeus in some Western manuscripts). Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 have "Judas of James" in the same slot. John 14:22 mentions "Judas, not Iscariot." Origen and later writers identify Thaddaeus with this Judas. Eusebius tells a Thaddaeus legend from Edessa, but that figure is presented as one of the Seventy.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 10:3 Θαδδαῖος, Thaddaeus,

    Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

    Here: An apostle known only from the name lists in Matthew and Mark. Luke and Acts have "Judas son (or brother) of James" in this place. What the name means is uncertain.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 3:18 Θαδδαῖον Thaddaeus

    Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,

    Here: A name whose origin is uncertain. Possibly it is Aramaic, possibly a shortened Greek name like Theodotos. Luke's lists have 'Judas son of James' in this slot (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13), and some manuscripts of Mark read 'Lebbaeus' here.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.