Jesus definition

English Jesus definition

Alternative forms

• Iesus (archaic)
• Iesvs (archaic)
• Jesu (archaic)
• Jeezus (slang)

Etymology

From Middle English Jhesus, Iesus, from Latin Iēsūs, from Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs), from Biblical Hebrew יֵשׁוּעַ‎ (yēšū́aʿ), a contracted form of יְהוֹשֻׁעַ‎ (yəhōšúaʿ, “Joshua”). The form יֵשׁוּעַ‎ (yēšū́aʿ) is attested in some of the later books of the Hebrew Bible (Ezra–Nehemiah), and translated as Jeshua or Yeshua in some English editions (the former appearing in the King James Version). The Greek texts make no distinction between Jesus and Joshua, referring to them both as Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs).

In the Wycliffe Bible (Middle English), the forms used are Jhesus and Jhesu.

Pronunciation

• (Jesus of Nazareth) enPR: jē'zəs, IPA^(key): /ˈdʒiːzəs/, /ˈdʒiːzʌs/

  • Audio (UK)

    (file)

• (Spanish given name) enPR: hāso͞os', heso͞os', IPA^(key): /heɪˈsuːs/, /hɛsˈuːs/
• Rhymes: -iːzəs, -iːzʌs, -uːs

Proper noun

Jesus (plural (of male given name) Jesuses or Jesi)

1. Jesus of Nazareth, a first-century Jewish religious preacher from Galilee whom Christians consider to be the son of God and call "Jesus Christ" in the belief that he is the Messiah, and whom Muslims believe to be a prophet.
   • 1621 June 19, William Laud, “Sermon preached before His Majesty”, in Seven Sermons Preached Upon Severall Occasions […]‎^[1], page 10:

     For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, is Head of the Church; and can the Body doe any thing well, if the Head direct it not?

   • 1873, Syed Ameer Ali, A Critical Examination of the Life and Teachings of Mohammed‎^[2], page 195:

     Mohammed always announced his religion as the religion of Abraham, of Moses, and of Jesus.

   • 2018 March 18, “Mike Pence”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 5, episode 5, HBO:

     She’s right! Omarosa is right there! Also, I’m pretty sure the original titles of the New and Old Testament were Jesus Said This and Jesus Ain’t Say That.

2. (historical, religion) One of a variety of persons or entities in western Manichaeism, of whom some correspond closely to the Christian conception of Jesus of Nazareth.
3. A male given name from Spanish in Spanish culture; an anglicized spelling of Jesús.
   • 1971 Ruth Rendell, No More Dying Then, Random House (2009), →ISBN, page 195:

     Frensham opened the door and called a name that sounded like 'Haysus'. Brandy was brought and various other bottles and decanters. When the manservant had gone, Frensham said, 'Odd, aren't they, the Spanish? Calling a boy Jesus.'

4. A male given name from Aramaic of Semitic origin.

   Jesus son of Sirach wrote the "Wisdom of Sirach"

5. (Cambridge University, informal) Ellipsis of Jesus College, Cambridge.
6. (Oxford University, informal) Ellipsis of Jesus College, Oxford.

Usage notes

• The possessive of the Jesus may be either Jesus’s (pronounced with three syllables) or Jesus’ (pronounced with two syllables). The latter form was traditionally more common when referring to the Christian figure while the former is more common when referring to other people named Jesus, but both forms are attested in both cases. See -'s.

Coordinate terms

• (Christianity): Christ, Messiah

Derived terms

Related terms

• Isa
• Jesu
• Jesuit

Translations

Noun

Jesus (plural Jesuses or Jesusses or Jesi or Jesii)

1. The Christian savior.
   • 1813, William Revell Moody (ed.), Record of Christian Work, p 441

     And, says George Eliot, and all who believe in her teaching, it is perfectly true that He is with us now in a dumb, vague, blessed impulse. Is that your Jesus? If I may recall my illustration of the train, I will tell you of my Jesus.

   • 2005, Scot McKnight, Jesus and His Death, p152

     ...leading Dom Crossan at times to the witty criticism that modern Jesus books are in a quest for who can say "my Jesus is more Jewish than your Jesus"...

   • 2001, Clinton Bennett, In Search of Jesus, p231

     Your Jesus is my Jesus' greatest enemy

Interjection

Jesus

1. (possibly offensive) An exclamation, particularly used to express excitement or exasperation.
   • 1989 January 27, Stephen Fry & al., "Doctor Tobacco" A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Season 1, Episode 3:

     Patient: ...too much is bad for you.
     Doctor: Well of course too much is bad for you, that's what "too much" means, you blithering twat. If you had too much water, it would be bad for you, wouldn't it? "Too much" precisely means that quantity which is excessive, that's what it means. Could you ever say "too much water is good for you"? I mean if it's too much it's too much. Too much of anything is too much. Obviously. Jesus.

   • 1991, Stephen Fry, The Liar, page 27:

     ‘Jesus suffering fuck,’ said Adrian. ‘It's not half a thought.’
     ‘Face it, it's a wow.’

   Jesus, that was close!

Synonyms

• (exclamation): Christ, God, Jesus Christ, Jesus H. Christ, Christ on a crutch, Christ on a stick, Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stick

Related terms

• Joshua

Translations

Verb

Jesus (third-person singular simple present Jesuses, present participle Jesusing, simple past and past participle Jesused)

1. (colloquial, often derogatory or humorous) To subject to (excessive) Christian proselytizing, preaching, or moralizing.
   • 1971, Richard Sale, For the president's eyes only, →ISBN, page 72:

     From what I gathered, his mother had been heavily Jesused, and his father had been a rough sort of plainsman.

   • 1994, Hannah Yakin, Of Tortoises and Other Jews, page 19:

     "If you don't believe me, ask Jesus!" [...] “Look here,” Papa burst out, “there's no difference between Jews and non-Jews. There can only be a difference between good and bad people.” “And don't start Jesusing me in my own house,” Mama added[.]

   • 2004, José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi, David L. Frye, The Mangy Parrot, page 531:

     Don't leave me until I expire; I wouldn't want some devout man or woman to come in here and start Jesusing me with the Ramillete [a collection of prayers] or some collection like that,

   • 2005, Christian Bauman, Voodoo Lounge: A Novel, page 58:

     They took refuge in Jérémie, the last Haitian port they hadn't been ejected out of, run from, or Jesused to death [in].

   • 2008, Laura Pedersen, The Big Shuffle: A Novel, →ISBN:

     In the past few weeks he's Jesused us all up with a full-length grace at each meal[.]

2. To exclaim "Jesus" (at).
   • 2012, Brian Evenson, Windeye, →ISBN:

     The other man stumbled up, rubbing his temple. “Jesus,” the man said. Frank raised his fist, then saw that the man was Jesusing not him but [the window].

   • 2016, Kaui Hart Hemmings, Juniors, →ISBN, page 141:

     "Jesus, Whit," Will says. [...] "Why are you always Jesusing me?" He doesn't answer, just chews his food, and I take another sip[.]

Translations

See also

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Afrikaans Jesus definition

Etymology

From Dutch Jezus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈjɪə̯sœs/

• Audio

  (file)

Proper noun

Jesus

1. Jesus

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Cebuano Jesus definition

Etymology

From Spanish Jesús.

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: je‧sus

Proper noun

Jesus

1. a male given name

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Danish Jesus definition

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈje̝ːsus]

Proper noun

Jesus

1. Jesus (character in Christianity)

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Faroese Jesus definition

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs), from Hebrew ישוע‎ (yeshúa). See also Josva.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈjeːsʊs/
• Rhymes: -eːsʊs

Proper noun

Jesus m

1. Jesus

Declension

	Singular
	Indefinite
Nominative	Jesus
Accusative	Jesus
Dative	Jesusi
Genitive	Jesus, Jesusar, Jesu

Derived terms

• Jesuspápi
  • jesuspápablomstur
  • jesuspápadýr
  • jesuspápalamb
  • jesuspápaleika
  • jesuspápaseyður

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German Jesus definition

Alternative forms

• Jhesus, JEsus

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: Je‧sus
• IPA^(key): /ˈjeːzʊs/

• Audio

  (file)

Proper noun

Jesus m (proper noun, strong, genitive Jesu or Jesus or Jesus')

1. (Christianity) Jesus

   Synonyms: Christus, Jesus Christus

Declension

Related terms

• Jesses, Jeses

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Latin Jesus definition

Alternative forms

• Iēsūs (classical)

Pronunciation

• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈje.sus/, [ˈjɛːs̬us]
•  Hyphenation: Je‧sus

Proper noun

Jesus m sg (genitive Jesu)

1. Ecclesiastical form of Iēsūs (“Jesus”)

Declension

Irregular noun (highly irregular), singular only.

Case	Singular
Nominative	Jesus
Genitive	Jesu
Dative	Jesu
Accusative	Jesum
Ablative	Jesu
Vocative	Jesu

References

• “Jesus”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press

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Middle High German Jesus definition

Etymology

From Latin Jesus.

Proper noun

Jēsus m

1. Jesus
   • c. 1230, Wolfdietrich, MS H, 2nd half 15th c., in: Friedr. Heinr. von der Hagen, Heldenbuch. Altdeutsche Heldenlieder aus dem Sagenkreise Dietrichs von Bern und der Nibelungen. Meist aus einzigen Handschriften zum erstenmal gedruck oder hergestellt. Erster Band, Leipzig, 1855, p. 235:

     [...] wiltu gelauben an Jesum, den lieben herren mein [...]

   • 13th century, David von Augsburg. In: Franz Pfeiffer (editor), Deutsche Mystiker des vierzehnten Jahrhunderts. Erster Band, Leipzig, 1845, p. 363, line 30f. Also quoted in: Georg Friedrich Benecke, Wilhelm Müller, Mittelhochdeutsches Wörterbuch. Erster Band. A – L, Leipzig, 1854, p. 271 (see "wallebruoder, walbruoder"):

     Got lieber hêrre Jêsu Kriste, unser getriuwer geverte in dirre wüeste und unser lieber wallebruoder in diesem ellende, bringe uns [...]

   • first half of the 14th century, Nicolaus/Nikolaus von Straßburg, a sermon, in: Franz Joseph Mone (editor), Anzeiger für Kunde der teutschen Vorzeit. Siebenter Jahrgang (text from Pfälzer Hs. [Handschrift] Nr. 641 Bl. 63, b. bis zu Ende), Karlsruhe, 1838, p. 273:

     O min lieber herre Jesu Christe

Declension

This entry needs an inflection-table template.

See also

• Krist, Kristus, Christus

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Norwegian Jesus definition

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /jeːsʉs/, [ˈjeː.sʉs]

Proper noun

Jesus (genitive Jesu)

1. Jesus

See also

• Kristus
• Jesus Kristus
• Gud

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Portuguese Jesus definition

Alternative forms

• Gzuis (humorous, slang)

Etymology

Relatinised from Old Portuguese Jesu, from Latin Iēsus, from Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs), from Hebrew ישוע‎ (y'hoshúa).

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: Je‧sus

Proper noun

Jesus m

1. (Christianity) Jesus Christ

Proper noun

Jesus f or m

1. a male given name
2. a female given name, shortened from "Maria de Jesus"
3. a surname

Interjection

Jesus

1. (slang) Used to express surprise, excitement or exasperation.

   Jesus, o que foi aquilo?

   Jesus, what was that?

Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:Jesus.

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Saterland Frisian Jesus definition

Etymology

Ultimately from Latin Iesus. Compare German Jesus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈjeːsʊs/
• Hyphenation: Je‧sus
• Rhymes: -eːsʊs

Proper noun

Jesus m

1. Jesus
   • 2000, Marron C. Fort, transl., Dät Näie Tästamänt un do Psoolme in ju aasterlauwerfräiske Uurtoal fon dät Seelterlound, Fräislound, Butjoarlound, Aastfräislound un do Groninger Umelounde [The New Testament and the Psalms in the East Frisian language, native to Saterland, Friesland, Butjadingen, East Frisia and the Ommelanden of Groningen], →ISBN, Dät Evangelium ätter Matthäus 16:

     Jakob waas die Foar fon Josef, dän Mon fon Maria; fon Maria wuud Jesus bädden, die die Christus (die Messias) namd wädt.

     Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Maria; From Maria Jesus was born, who was called the Christ (the Messiah).

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Scots Jesus definition

Proper noun

Jesus

1. Jesus

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Swedish Jesus definition

Etymology

From Latin Iēsus, from Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs), from Biblical Hebrew יֵשׁוּעַ‎ (yēšū́aʿ), a contracted form of יְהוֹשֻׁעַ‎ (yəhōšúaʿ, “Joshua”). The form יֵשׁוּעַ‎ (yēšū́aʿ) is attested in some of the later books of the Hebrew Bible (Ezra–Nehemiah). The Greek texts make no distinction between Jesus and Joshua, referring to them both as Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /²jeːsɵs/, /ˈjeːsɵs/

Proper noun

Jesus c (genitive Jesus, sometimes Jesu)

1. Jesus

Usage notes

• The genitive form is Jesus in everyday speech, but especially in fixed expressions, the Greek-Latin genitive Jesu is often used, e.g. Jesu uppståndelse (”Resurrection of Jesus”), Jesu lärjungar (”Jesus’ disciples”) or Jesu lidande (”Jesus’ suffering”), etc. Compare the usage of Kristi and Kristus.
• In older religious texts and in hymns, the form Jesu is also found as a vocative, and more rarely the object form Jesum, although these have generally been replaced by Jesus in modern adaptations.

References

• Jesus in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)