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3John 1:1

Footnote:

1

Strong's #1050 Γάϊος Gaius, a very common proper name in Roman culture. (cf.  Γάϊος)

What could his name mean? See Γάϊος [ᾱ], α, ον (Dor. for γήϊος): A Doric form of the adjective derived from γή ("earth" or "land"), meaning "earthy" or "of the land." It appears in various contexts:

  • On land, earthy, or of the land: Used in Aeschylus' Supplices 826 to mean "on land" or "earthy," and Aeschylus' Persians 736 to describe "earthy dust." In Epicharmus 42.9, it can describe "shells" as associated with the earth.
  • Of a slave, "child of the earth" (terrae filius): Refers to a slave or laborer, as in Inscriptiones Graecae (IG 14.1432), where a "child of the earth" is likely a slave, and in Eustathius (188.30), referring to a hired laborer in Italian and Tarentine regions.
  • ἄνεμος (land wind): Describes a land wind, as seen in Hesychius and EM, indicating winds originating from the land rather than the sea.

Etymologically, γάϊος comes from the Greek γή ("earth"), used to describe things associated with the earth or land, especially in Doric dialects.