Βοανηργές G0993
Boanerges, an Aramaic surname meaning "sons of thunder" given to James and John
Boanerges is an Aramaic nickname Jesus gave to the brothers James and John, meaning "sons of thunder." Mark 3:17 explicitly provides this etymology, suggesting it characterized their temperament—perhaps their zealous, passionate nature or their powerful preaching. The name appears only once in the New Testament, preserved in transliteration across all languages (Spanish Boanergés, French Boanergès, German Boanerges). The "thunder" imagery may relate to their occasional impulsiveness (wanting to call down fire, Mark 9:38; Luke 9:54) or their destined role as powerful witnesses.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Aramaic surname given to James and John by Jesus (Mark 3:17), meaning "sons of thunder." The name likely reflects their temperament or prophetic calling. All translations preserve the Aramaic transliteration, recognizing it as a dominical nickname that characterizes these apostles' distinctive character—whether their fiery zeal, powerful ministry, or both. 1×
AR["بوانَرْجَسَ"]·ben["বোয়ানের্গেস,"]·DE["Boanerges"]·EN["Boanerges"]·FR["Boanergès"]·heb["בְּנֵי-רֶגֶשׁ"]·HI["पुत्र"]·ID["Boanerges,"]·IT["boanerges"]·jav["Boanèrges,"]·KO["보아너게"]·PT["Boanerges,"]·RU["Воанергес"]·ES["Boanērgés"]·SW["Boaner͡gés,"]·TR["Boanerges,"]·urd["بوانرگس"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Βοανηργές, indecl. (on the derivation, see Dalman, Gr., 144; Words, 42; Swete, Mk., l.with; DCG, i, 216), Boanerges: Mrk.3:17.† (From Abbott-Smith. LSJ has no entry)