Acts 9:33

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.

Acts 9:33 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 9:33

And there he found a certain man
In a house in that city, into which he entered:

named Aeneas;
which is a Gentile name, and so might the person be; though there is mention made of this name among the Jews. We read of one R. Samuel Bar, (ayyna) "Aenea, or Aeneas" ^F12; but it was more common among the Greeks. Aeneas the Trojan is well known in history, who, after the destruction of Troy, went into Italy, and settled there; and from him the Trojans are sometimes called Aeneadae. The name comes from the Greek word (ainw) , "ainoo", which signifies "to praise"; and Aeneas is one "worthy of praise": though Jerom ^F13 takes it to be an Hebrew name, which he interprets "one that answers", or a "poor man", or "misery"; as if it came from the Hebrew word (hne) , "anah", which signifies "to answer, or to afflict".

Which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy;
so that the distemper was grown stubborn, and thought incurable; nor perhaps had he, or his friends, any hope of his ever being restored to health again.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 T. Hieros. Yebamot, fol. 6. 2. & Midrash Kohelet, fol. 73. 3.
F13 De Nominibus Hebraicis, fol. 105. H.

Acts 9:33 In-Context

31 So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

32 And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.

34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise and make thy bed. And straightway he arose.

35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.