Βαρθολομαῖος

Pronunciation Guide: bar-thol-om-AH-yos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G918: Βαρθολομαῖος (Bartholomaios) is the name of one of the twelve apostles of the Messiah Jesus. The name derives from Aramaic origins, meaning “son of Talmai” or “son of the furrows.” Though mentioned in all four Gospel lists of apostles, Bartholomew remains somewhat enigmatic as few details of his ministry are recorded in Scripture.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Masculine
• Origin: Aramaic בַּר־תַּלְמַי (bar-Talmai)
• Components: “Bar” (בַּר) meaning “son of” + “Talmai” (תַּלְמַי) meaning “furrows” or “plowman”
• Usage Context: Primarily in apostolic lists in narrative sections of the Gospels
• Cultural Classification: Personal name with patronymic formation

Βαρθολομαῖος Morphology:

• Βαρθολομαῖος (nominative singular) – Bartholomew (as subject)
• Βαρθολομαῖον (accusative singular) – Bartholomew (as direct object)
• Βαρθολομαίου (genitive singular) – of Bartholomew
• Βαρθολομαίῳ (dative singular) – to/for Bartholomew

Origin & History

The name Βαρθολομαῖος represents a Hellenized form of the Aramaic patronymic “Bar-Talmai,” meaning “son of Talmai.” Talmai appears in the Hebrew Bible as a name with several references, including one of the Anakim giants mentioned in Joshua 15:14 and a king of Geshur whose daughter married King David (2 Samuel 3:3). The name element “Talmai” likely derives from the Hebrew word for “furrow” (תֶּלֶם, telem), suggesting agricultural connections or possibly “abounding in ridges.”

In the broader Hellenistic world, patronymics (naming someone as “son of” their father) was a common naming convention, especially among Jewish communities living under Greek influence. Josephus, in his “Antiquities of the Jews,” frequently uses similar Hellenized forms of Aramaic patronymics when referring to Jewish figures, showing this was standard practice for transliterating Semitic names into Greek contexts.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Apostolic Identity – One of the twelve disciples personally chosen by Jesus
• Patronymic Name – A name identifying the bearer through his father’s name
• Cultural Bridge – A name representing the intersection of Aramaic origin and Greek form
• Historical Figure – A person who, according to tradition, became a missionary to Armenia, Ethiopia, India, and other regions

Βαρθολομαῖος Translation Options:

• Bartholomew – The traditional English rendering, familiar to most readers
• Bar-Tolmai – A more literal transliteration reflecting its Aramaic origins
• Son of Talmai – A translation that conveys the meaning rather than the sound
• Son of the Plowman – A dynamic equivalent that captures the probable etymological meaning
• Ptolemy’s Son – Some scholars suggest Talmai might be equivalent to the Greek name Ptolemy

Biblical Usage

Βαρθολομαῖος appears four times in the New Testament, exclusively in the lists of the twelve apostles. Notably, in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Bartholomew is consistently listed alongside Philip, suggesting a close association between these two disciples. Many scholars identify Bartholomew with Nathanael, who is mentioned in John’s Gospel but not in the Synoptics, while Bartholomew appears in the Synoptics but not in John. This identification is primarily based on the fact that John’s Gospel pairs Philip with Nathanael in a manner similar to how the Synoptics pair Philip with Bartholomew.

The consistent inclusion of Bartholomew in all apostolic lists underscores his important place among the twelve, despite the paucity of narrative details about his ministry. This pattern reminds us that many faithful servants of God work without prominent biblical mention yet remain integral to His redemptive purposes.

• “Philip and Bartholomew [Βαρθολομαῖος]; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;” Matthew 10:3
• “Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew [Βαρθολομαῖος], Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,” Mark 3:18
• “Philip, Bartholomew [Βαρθολομαῖος], Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,” Luke 6:14-15
• “Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew [Βαρθολομαῖος] and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.” Acts 1:13

Cultural Insights

The patronymic naming convention evident in “Bar-Talmai” (son of Talmai) reflects the profound importance of family lineage in ancient Near Eastern cultures, particularly among the Jewish people. This form of naming carried with it not only personal identity but also communal connection and historical rootedness. In Jewish tradition, being identified as someone’s son carried implications about one’s social standing, inheritance rights, and even vocational path. For Bartholomew, this naming pattern would have immediately identified him within his community’s social structure.

If the connection between Bartholomew and Nathanael is accepted, we gain additional insight into his character. In John 1:47, Jesus describes Nathanael as “an Israelite in whom there is no deceit,” suggesting a man of integrity and spiritual sincerity. Furthermore, Nathanael’s initial skepticism about Jesus coming from Nazareth (“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”) followed by his profound confession (“Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”) demonstrates an intellectual honesty and willingness to revise his understanding when confronted with truth—qualities that would have made him an effective apostolic witness.

Theological Significance

The calling of Bartholomew among the twelve apostles powerfully illustrates God’s sovereignty in selecting ordinary individuals for extraordinary purposes. Despite his relative obscurity in the biblical narrative, Bartholomew was personally chosen by Jesus to be part of the foundational leadership of the early ekklesia (church). This reminds us that יהוה (Yahweh) does not select His servants based on their public prominence or charismatic appeal, but according to His divine wisdom and purpose.

The traditional identification of Bartholomew with Nathanael adds theological richness to our understanding. Nathanael’s declaration in John 1:49, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” represents one of the earliest and clearest Messianic confessions in the Gospels. That this profound recognition came from a disciple known by a patronymic name (“son of Talmai”) creates a beautiful theological juxtaposition—the man identified by his earthly father’s name recognizes and proclaims the divine sonship of Jesus. This illustrates how the disciples moved from understanding relationships in purely human terms to grasping the deeper spiritual realities of God’s family.

Personal Application

In the relative silence surrounding Bartholomew’s ministry, we find encouragement for our own walk with God. Many faithful believers serve without recognition or recorded achievements, yet their service is no less valuable in God’s kingdom. Bartholomew reminds us that being known by name to the Messiah and being chosen for His purposes far outweighs public recognition or detailed accounts of our service.

If we embrace the identification with Nathanael, we can learn from his journey from skepticism to wholehearted faith. His progression invites us to honestly confront our own doubts and questions, bringing them before the Lord rather than hiding behind religious pretense. Just as Jesus saw Nathanael “under the fig tree” before they physically met, He sees us in our private moments of questioning or devotion, knowing us completely yet calling us to follow Him anyway.

Related Words

• Ναθαναήλ (Nathanaēl) [nah-than-ah-AYL] – Meaning “gift of God,” this name appears in John’s Gospel and is traditionally identified with Bartholomew. The connection highlights the contrast between being known by one’s father (Bar-Talmai) and being named as God’s gift. See G3482
• Ἀπόστολος (Apostolos) [ah-POS-tol-os] – Meaning “one who is sent forth,” this term designates Bartholomew’s official role among the twelve. As an apostle, he was commissioned directly by Jesus with authority to represent Him. See G652
• Μαθητής (Mathētēs) [math-ay-TACE] – Meaning “disciple” or “learner,” this describes Bartholomew’s relationship to Jesus as not merely a follower but an apprentice learning the Messiah’s ways. See G3101
• Πατρωνυμικός (Patrōnymikos) [pat-ro-nee-mee-KOSS] – Though not appearing in the New Testament itself, this term refers to the patronymic naming convention evident in “Bar-Talmai” (son of Talmai).
• Δώδεκα (Dōdeka) [DOH-deh-kah] – Meaning “twelve,” this term identifies the specific group of apostles, including Bartholomew, chosen by Jesus to represent the twelve tribes of Israel in the new covenant community. See G1427

Did You Know?

• Bartholomew is venerated in Orthodox tradition as having brought Christianity to Armenia, making it the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion. The Armenian Apostolic Church considers him their founder alongside Thaddeus. This tradition speaks to God’s faithfulness in using the apostles to fulfill the Great Commission by taking the gospel to the nations.
• According to early church traditions recorded by Eusebius and Jerome, Bartholomew took the Gospel of Matthew in Hebrew to India, suggesting the apostles’ concern for providing Scriptures in local languages. This shows remarkable cultural sensitivity in early missionary work and emphasizes the importance of Scripture translation in evangelism.
• The name Talmai (the root of Bartholomew) appears in ancient Nabataean inscriptions, confirming it was a common name in the broader Semitic world during the first century. Archaeological discoveries continue to validate the historical authenticity of biblical naming patterns and cultural practices.

Remember This

Bartholomew’s legacy reminds us that true significance comes not from prominence in biblical narratives or historical records, but from faithful response to the Messiah’s call and obedient service in His kingdom.