"a tanner, leather-dresser, Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32*"
Definition and meaning
a tanner, leather-dresser, Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32*
In the original Greek the word is written: βυρσεύς
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of byrseus (G1038) across the King James Bible.
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
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Common questions
Strong's G1038 (byrseus) is a Greek word that means: a tanner, leather-dresser, Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word byrseus (G1038) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1038 is byrseus, a Greek word defined as: a tanner, leather-dresser, Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
byrseus is a Greek word found in the New Testament.