Clopas

The name Clopas (Ancient Greek: Κλωπᾶς, Klōpas; Hebrew: possibly חלפי, Ḥalfi; Aramaic: חילפאי, Ḥilfài) carries a rich etymological and historical heritage. Its Greek form, Klōpas, appears in the New Testament, while its Hebrew and Aramaic roots suggest meanings tied to familial or communal roles. Scholars propose that Clopas is derived from the Hebrew or Aramaic name Halfi or Hilfai, names evidenced in contemporary inscriptions and rabbinic literature. The transliteration into Greek reflects a common practice in antiquity, where Hebrew names were adapted to fit the phonetic and linguistic structures of Greek-speaking communities.

The name’s historical context ties it closely to early Christianity, where it is associated with key figures in the life of Jesus. Clopas is sometimes linked with Alphaeus, another biblical name, due to linguistic similarities and overlapping familial connections in the Gospels. This connection underscores the name’s deep integration into the cultural and religious milieu of the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world.