Surname
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Surname in the Bible?
A hereditary name passed down through generations, distinguishing individuals within a community; while common in later ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean societies, the Hebrew Bible primarily identifies individuals by their given name and patronymic (son of X) rather than fixed family surnames.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the absence of fixed surnames in biblical times clarifies why characters are identified by their fathers' names, aiding in the accurate tracing of genealogies and tribal affiliations found in Scripture.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Surname. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Surname in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Surname 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
"Surname." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/surname/