"Hermes or Mercury, son of Jupiter and Maia, the messenger and interpreter of the gods, and the patron of eloquence, learning, etc., Acts 14:12; Rom. 16:14*"
Definition and meaning
Hermes or Mercury, son of Jupiter and Maia, the messenger and interpreter of the gods, and the patron of eloquence, learning, etc., Acts 14:12; Rom. 16:14*
In the original Greek the word is written: Ἑρμῆς
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 hermes (G2060) across the King James Bible.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
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Common questions
Strong's G2060 (hermes) is a Greek word that means: Hermes or Mercury, son of Jupiter and Maia, the messenger and interpreter of the gods, and the patron of eloquence, learning, etc., Acts 14:12; Rom. 16:14* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word hermes (G2060) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2060 is hermes, a Greek word defined as: Hermes or Mercury, son of Jupiter and Maia, the messenger and interpreter of the gods, and the patron of eloquence, learning, etc., Acts 14:12; Rom. 1. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hermes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.