Original Word: παρασημος
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: parasémos
Pronunciation: pah-rah'-say-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (par-as'-ay-mos)
Definition: Marked, distinguished, signified
Meaning: marked with; a figure-head.

side-marked with a figurehead

From para and the base of semaino; side-marked, i.e. Labelled (with a badge (figure-head) of a ship) -- sign.

see GREEK para

see GREEK semaino

Word Origin
from para and séma (a sign, mark)
Definition
marked amiss, marked at the side, marked with a sign
NASB Translation
figurehead (1), had (1).

STRONGS NT 3902: παράσημος

παράσημος, παράσημον (παρά (which see IV. 2), and σῆμα (a mark))

1. marked falsely, spurious, counterfeit; as coin.

2. marked beside or on the margin; so of noteworthy words, which the reader of a book marks on the margin hence,

3. universally, noted, marked, conspicuous, remarkable (of persons, in a bad sense, notorious); marked with a sign: ἐν πλοίῳ παρασήμῳ Διοσκωυροις, in a ship marked with the image or figure of the Dioscuri, Acts 28:11 (cf. B. D. under the word ).

Word Origin: From παρά (para, meaning "beside" or "alongside") and σῆμα (sēma, meaning "a sign" or "mark").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for παρασημος in the Strong's Concordance, as it is a specific Greek term used in the context of the New Testament. However, the concept of a "sign" or "mark" can be related to Hebrew words such as אוֹת (oth, Strong's Hebrew 226), which means "sign" or "token," and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament to denote a distinguishing mark or symbol.

Usage: The word παρασημος is used in the New Testament to describe something that is marked or notable. It appears in the context of identifying a ship by its figurehead or emblem.

Context: In the New Testament, παρασημος is found in Acts 28:11, where it is used to describe the ship on which the Apostle Paul sailed from Malta to Italy. The passage reads: "After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers." Here, παρασημος is translated as "figurehead," referring to the ship's distinguishing emblem, which in this case was the "Twin Brothers" (Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, who were considered protectors of sailors).

The use of παρασημος in this context highlights the common practice in ancient times of marking ships with figureheads or symbols to identify them and perhaps invoke protection or favor. This practice was widespread in the Greco-Roman world, where ships often bore the images of gods, heroes, or other significant figures.

Theologically, the mention of the ship's figurehead in Acts 28:11 serves as a historical detail that underscores the narrative's authenticity and situates the events within the cultural and maritime practices of the time. It also reflects the broader theme of divine providence and protection throughout Paul's journey, as the ship safely carries him to his destination despite previous shipwrecks and hardships.

παρασημω παρασήμω παρασήμῳ παρασιώπα παρασιωπηθήσεται παρασιωπήσεται παρασιωπήση παρασιωπήσης παρασιωπήσομαι παρασιωπήσονται παρεσιώπα παρεσιωπήσατε παρεσιώπησε parasemo parasēmō parasḗmoi parasḗmōiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts