Δῐόσ-κοροι G1359
The Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), twin sons of Zeus, patron deities of sailors, constellation Gemini
The Dioscuri—literally 'sons of Zeus'—were the divine twins Castor and Pollux (Greek Polydeuces), born to Leda. In Greco-Roman religion, they were patron gods of sailors, believed to protect ships and appear as the electrical phenomenon St. Elmo's fire during storms. Acts 28:11 mentions them as the figurehead of the Alexandrian ship that carried Paul from Malta to Italy. Ships often bore images of patron deities on their prows, and the Dioscuri were especially popular for Mediterranean vessels.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Acts 28:11 identifies Paul's ship by its figurehead: the Dioscuri, the twin gods Castor and Pollux who protected sailors in Greek and Roman belief. Ship figureheads invoked divine protection for voyages. French 'Dioscures' and English transliterations preserve the Greek, while Spanish maintains the Greek form. The reference shows how pagan religious symbols pervaded ancient maritime culture. 1×
AR["ديوسكوري"]·ben["দিওস্কুরীর"]·DE["Διοσκούροις"]·EN["Dioskouroi"]·FR["Dioscures"]·heb["דִּיוֹסְקוּרוֹי"]·HI["दिओस्कूरोई।"]·ID["Dioskouroi."]·IT["Dioscuri"]·jav["Kembar."]·KO["디오스쿠리인"]·PT["de-Dióscuros."]·RU["Диоскуров."]·ES["Dióskouroi"]·SW["ya-Mapacha"]·urd["جڑواں"]
Related Senses
G2316 1. God, the true God (1315×)H6635b 1. hosts, armies (of YHWH) (286×)H0410 1. God, the true God (223×)G0032 1. heavenly angel (170×)H4397 2. messenger, envoy, ambassador (102×)H3742 1. cherub, angelic guardian being (91×)H0430 2. gods (pagan deities) (81×)H0426 1. God, the true God (76×)G1140 1. demon, evil spirit (62×)H0433 1. God, the true God (54×)H5945b 1. Most High (30×)G4152 1. spiritual (21×)H0426 2. god(s), pagan deities (20×)H5943 1. [ketiv:Most High] (18×)G1139 1. be demon-possessed (13×)H1712 1. Dagon (13×)G2316 2. god, pagan deity (12×)G5310 1. Most High (9×)H0410 3. a god, deity (generic) (9×)H3645 1. Chemosh (9×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Δῐόσ-κοροι (the Attic dialect form, 2nd c.AD: Phrynichus Atticista 212), Ionic dialect and later Διόσκουροι, οἱ, the sons of Zeus, i. e. the twins of Leda, Castor and Polydeuces, Refs 6th c.BC+: -κούρων Refs 5th c.BC+; -κόρων Refs 5th c.BC+ __II constellation named from them the Twins, Refs 3rd c.BC+ __III ={παρωτίδες}, Refs 2nd c.AD+