παράσημ-ος G3902
marked, distinguished by a sign, bearing an emblem or figurehead
An adjective describing something marked by a distinguishing sign, badge, or emblem. Classical usage included false coins (marked wrongly) and notable persons (marked for distinction). Acts 28:11 uses it to describe a ship bearing the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. Ancient vessels commonly displayed divine emblems on prow or stern for protection and identification. The word captures how visible markers identify allegiance, origin, or claimed patronage.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Acts 28:11 mentions an Alexandrian ship 'with the figurehead' (παρασήμῳ) of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux). The translations (English 'with-figurehead', Spanish 'con-insignia', French 'marque') point to the ship's emblem. Ancient mariners trusted these divine twins to protect voyages. Luke's detail reveals Paul sailing on a vessel bearing pagan insignia—a narrative touch that shows the gospel advancing through the ordinary commercial infrastructure of the Roman world. 1×
AR["شِعارُها"]·ben["প্রতীকে"]·DE["παρασήμῳ"]·EN["with-figurehead"]·FR["marque"]·heb["סִמְלָהּ"]·HI["चिह्न"]·ID["lambang"]·IT["insegna"]·jav["tandha"]·KO["표시가"]·PT["com-insígnia"]·RU["со-знаком"]·ES["con-insignia"]·SW["yenye-alama"]·TR["ikizler"]·urd["نشان"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
παράσημ-ος, ον, (σῆμα) marked amiss or falsely, counterfeit, especially of money, Refs 5th c.BC+; δόξα π. Refs 5th c.BC+; δύναμις π. αἴνῳ power falsely stamped with praise, I. e. praised by a wrong standard, Refs 4th c.BC+ __2 of words and phrases, false, incorrect, Refs 1st c.AD+; Ἀττικῶν παράσημος (to be read -σήμων) ἕν (i.e. βιβλίον) Refs 2nd c.AD+; τὸ π. eccentricity of style, Refs 4th c.BC+…