Acts 9:33

33 and he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name -- for eight years laid upon a couch -- who was paralytic,

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, indeed, the assemblies throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, had peace, being built up, and, going on in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass that Peter passing throughout all [quarters], came down also unto the saints who were dwelling at Lydda,

33 and he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name -- for eight years laid upon a couch -- who was paralytic,

34 and Peter said to him, `Aeneas, heal thee doth Jesus the Christ; arise and spread for thyself;' and immediately he rose,

35 and all those dwelling at Lydda, and Saron saw him, and did turn to the Lord.