Alpheus, also spelled Alphaeus, is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament as the father of James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The name Alpheus is of Hebrew origin, possibly derived from the Hebrew word "halaph," meaning "to exchange" or "to succeed." This entry explores the identity and significance of Alpheus within the context of the New Testament.

Biblical References

Alpheus is specifically mentioned in the synoptic Gospels in connection with his son, James. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read: "These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him" (Matthew 10:2-4). Similar lists appear in Mark 3:16-19 and Luke 6:14-16, where James is consistently identified as the son of Alpheus.

Identity and Role

The identity of Alpheus is primarily tied to his son, James, who is often referred to as "James the Less" or "James the Younger" to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee. The designation "the Less" may refer to his stature, age, or the order of his calling among the apostles. Alpheus himself is not described in detail in the Scriptures, and there is no direct account of his life or actions outside of his paternal connection to James.

Possible Connections

There is some scholarly debate regarding the possible connections between Alpheus and other New Testament figures. Some traditions suggest that Alpheus may be the same person as Clopas, mentioned in John 19:25, where Mary, the wife of Clopas, is present at the crucifixion of Jesus. This identification, however, is not universally accepted and remains speculative.

Additionally, Alpheus is sometimes associated with Matthew (also known as Levi), the tax collector, due to a similar naming pattern in Mark 2:14: "As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him" . However, the New Testament does not explicitly state that Matthew and James were brothers, and the name Alpheus may have been common at the time.

Significance

While Alpheus himself does not play a prominent role in the biblical narrative, his significance lies in his connection to James, one of the chosen apostles who played a vital role in the early Christian church. James, son of Alpheus, is believed to have been a faithful follower of Jesus, contributing to the spread of the Gospel message.

In summary, Alpheus is a figure whose primary biblical importance is as the father of James, one of the twelve apostles. His mention in the Gospels underscores the familial and relational aspects of the early Christian community, highlighting the diverse backgrounds from which Jesus called His disciples.Matthew 10:3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 3:18
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Nave's Topical Index

256. Alphaios -- Alpha
... Phonetic Spelling: (al-fah'-yos) Short Definition: Alphaeus Definition: Alphaeus;
apparently two persons, (a) father of Levi, and (b) father of James. Alpheus. ...
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