Acts 9:33

33 And there was a certain man there, named Aeneas, who for eight years had been in bed, without power of moving.

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 And so the church through all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was made strong; and, living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was increased greatly.

32 And it came about that while Peter was going through all parts of the country he came to the saints who were living at Lydda.

33 And there was a certain man there, named Aeneas, who for eight years had been in bed, without power of moving.

34 And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you well: get up and make your bed. And straight away he got up.

35 And all those living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and were turned to the Lord.