Bar-Jonah
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Bar-Jonah in the Bible?
Bar-Jonah is the Aramaic patronymic for Simon Peter, meaning 'son of Jonah,' with his father's name identified as either Jonah or John in biblical texts.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this patronymic clarifies the familial background of Simon Peter and illustrates the common first-century Jewish naming convention of identifying individuals by their father's name.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Bar-Jonah reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Bar-Jonah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bar-Jonah clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Bar-Jonah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/barjonah/