### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek name Συμεών (Symeṓn, `{{G4826}}`) is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on, `{{H8095}}`). Its etymological root is the Hebrew verb שָׁמַע (shama', `{{H8085}}`), which means "to hear," "to listen," and by extension, "to obey." Therefore, Συμεών fundamentally means "one who hears" or "he has heard." This meaning is rooted in the narrative of its original bestowal by Leah, who named her son Simeon, declaring, "Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also" [[Genesis 29:33]]. As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to its use as a personal name, yet the underlying etymology carries profound theological implications regarding divine attentiveness and human receptivity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Συμεών (Symeṓn) appears in the New Testament, referring to several distinct individuals:
1. **Simeon, Son of Jacob:** This is the most foundational reference, linking the New Testament narrative to the Old Testament patriarchs. He is listed in the genealogies of Jesus in [[Luke 3:30]], affirming the historical continuity of God's covenant and redemptive plan. His tribe, the tribe of Simeon, is also mentioned in eschatological visions, such as in [[Revelation 7:7]], highlighting the enduring significance of the twelve tribes in God's ultimate purposes.
2. **Simeon (Simon) Peter:** While most frequently referred to as Simon Peter (Σίμων Πέτρος, `{{G4613}}`), the more formal, Hebrew-derived Συμεών is notably used by James at the Jerusalem Council. In [[Acts 15:14]], James states, "Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for his name." This specific usage might emphasize Peter's Jewish heritage and prophetic role in the unfolding of God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles, or it may simply be an alternative, more formal address.
3. **Simeon, the Pious Man in the Temple:** A righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem, who was "awaiting the consolation of Israel" [[Luke 2:25]]. He had received a revelation from the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ. Upon the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon recognized Him as the Messiah and uttered a profound prophetic blessing, the *Nunc Dimittis*, declaring Jesus to be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" [[Luke 2:25-35]]. His name, "one who hears," is particularly fitting for one who heard and received such divine revelation.
4. **Simeon Niger:** One of the "prophets and teachers" in the early church at Antioch, mentioned in [[Acts 13:1]]. His descriptive epithet "Niger" (Latin for "black") likely referred to his complexion. He was among the leaders who, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, laid hands on Barnabas and Saul, commissioning them for their first missionary journey. His inclusion signifies his important role in the leadership and missional expansion of the nascent church.
5. **Simeon, an Ancestor of Jesus:** Another individual named Simeon appears in the genealogy of Jesus in [[Luke 3:30]], distinct from Jacob's son. This indicates the commonality of the name within Jewish tradition across generations.
These occurrences demonstrate the name's prevalence and its association with significant figures in salvation history and the formative period of the early church.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Σίμων (Simon, `{{G4613}}`):** This is the more common Greek form of the same Hebrew name, often used interchangeably with Συμεών or as a more Hellenized variant. The base definition of Symeṓn explicitly notes its derivation from Σίμων.
* **שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on, `{{H8095}}`):** The direct Hebrew original of the name, meaning "hearing" or "he has heard."
* **שָׁמַע (shama', `{{H8085}}`):** The fundamental Hebrew verb root from which the name derives. This verb signifies not merely the physical act of hearing, but also attentive listening, understanding, and crucially, obedience. In biblical thought, "hearing the word of the Lord" often implies a responsive and obedient heart.
* **Divine Revelation and Human Receptivity:** The etymological core of Symeṓn connects directly to the concept of God speaking and humanity listening. Figures like Simeon in Luke's Gospel embody this, illustrating the blessedness of those who are spiritually attuned to God's voice and promises.
* **Obedience and Faith:** In the biblical worldview, true hearing leads to faith and obedience. The name, therefore, implicitly links to the call for believers to be attentive and responsive to God's will.
### Theological Significance
The name Συμεών (Symeṓn), with its root meaning "he has heard," carries profound theological weight:
1. **God's Attentiveness to Humanity:** The origin of the name, as given by Leah, profoundly testifies to God's compassionate attentiveness to human suffering and prayer. The declaration, "The Lord has heard" (שָׁמַע יְהוָה), is a recurring and comforting theme throughout Scripture, assuring believers that God is not distant but intimately involved in their lives, hearing their cries and responding in His perfect timing and wisdom.
2. **The Importance of Human Receptivity to Divine Revelation:** The character of Simeon in Luke's Gospel serves as a powerful illustration of this principle. He was a man who had "heard" the promise of the Holy Spirit and was actively waiting in expectation. His recognition of the infant Jesus was the culmination of a life lived in spiritual attentiveness, demonstrating the vital importance of a receptive heart to divine truth and the person of Christ.
3. **Prophetic Calling and Listening:** Many who bore the name, particularly Simeon in Luke and potentially Simeon Niger (who was a prophet), embody a prophetic calling that necessitates keen spiritual hearing. Prophets are those specially gifted to hear God's word and faithfully declare it to others.
4. **Continuity of Salvation History:** The presence of Symeṓn in Jesus' genealogy and the specific use of the name for Peter by James in [[Acts 15:14]] underscore the unbroken continuity of God's redemptive plan across the Old and New Covenants. It illustrates that God's purposes unfold through generations, with individuals whose very names can echo divine attributes and human responses. The use of Symeṓn for Peter in Acts 15 highlights the seamless progression of God's work, from the promises given to Israel to their fulfillment in Christ and the inclusion of the Gentiles.
5. **A Name of Hope and Fulfillment:** For Leah, the name was a sign of hope that God had heard and addressed her plight. For Simeon in the temple, it was a confirmation that he had heard the Spirit's promise and witnessed the arrival of the promised Messiah. The name, therefore, is intrinsically linked to the fulfillment of divine promises and the profound hope found in God's attentive and gracious presence.
### Summary
Συμεών (Symeṓn, `{{G4826}}`) is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on), meaning "one who hears" or "he has heard." This name is deeply significant, rooted in Leah's declaration that God had heard her prayer. In the New Testament, it refers to several notable figures: Simeon, the patriarch and son of Jacob; Simeon Peter, particularly when referenced by James at the Jerusalem Council; Simeon, the devout man in the temple who recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah; Simeon Niger, a prominent leader in the Antioch church; and an ancestor of Jesus. The etymological root, "to hear," emphasizes themes of divine attentiveness to humanity and humanity's essential receptivity to God's revelation. Theologically, Symeṓn powerfully represents God's listening ear to His people's cries, the critical necessity of a receptive heart to divine truth, and the unbroken continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history, culminating in the person of Christ. The name thus stands as a profound reminder of the importance of hearing God's voice and the blessedness of those who listen and respond in faith and obedience.
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