Acts 9:33

33 And there he found a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was sick with the palsy.

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 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified: and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all [quarters], he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was sick with the palsy.

34 And Peter said to him, Eneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

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