2483. Italikos

Lexical Summary

Italikos: Italian

Original Word: Ἰταλικός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Italikos
Pronunciation: ee-tal-ee-KOS
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-tal-ee-kos')
KJV: Italian
NASB: Italian
Word Origin: [from G2482 (Ἰταλία - Italy)]

1. Italic, i.e. belonging to Italia

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Italian.

From Italia; Italic, i.e. Belonging to Italia -- Italian.

see GREEK Italia

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from Italia
Definition
Italian
NASB Translation
Italian (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2483: Ἰταλικός

Ἰταλικός, Ἰταλικη, Ἰταλικον (Ἰταλία) (from Plato down), Italian: σπεῖρα Ἰταλικη, the Italian cohort (composed of Italian, not provincial, soldiers), Acts 10:1; cf. Schürer, in the Zeitschrift f. wissensch. Theol. for 1875, p. 422ff; (Hackett, in B. D. American edition under the word ).

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 2483 identifies the adjective Ἰταλικός, rendered “Italian” in Acts 10:1. The term specifies ethnic origin rather than military rank or geographic location, highlighting the Roman provenance of a particular auxiliary cohort stationed in Judea. Its single occurrence marks a pivotal narrative moment in the spread of the gospel from Jews to Gentiles.

Biblical Occurrence

Acts 10:1: “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.”

The word modifies “cohort” (σπεῖρα), clarifying that Cornelius served in a unit recruited from Italy itself. Luke’s precision underscores the genuine Gentile character of Cornelius and his men.

Historical Background

1. Roman Auxiliary Structure
• A cohort (cohors) generally comprised about 600 infantry.
• While many units were raised in the provinces, an “Italian” cohort consisted of volunteers or conscripts from the Italian peninsula—often Roman citizens.
2. Possible Identification
• Inscriptions mention the Cohors II Italica Civium Romanorum and a Cohors Italica stationed in Syria during the first century. Either could fit Luke’s reference, locating elite, Rome-trained soldiers at Caesarea Maritima, the provincial capital of Judea.

Military and Political Significance

Caesarea housed the prefect’s residence and key imperial troops. An Italian cohort:
• Demonstrated Rome’s intent to maintain direct control over volatile Judea.
• Provided a disciplined, citizen-status backbone among largely non-citizen auxiliaries.
• Supplied experienced officers such as centurions whose integrity Luke repeatedly highlights (Luke 7:1-10; Acts 27:43).

Theological Implications in Acts 10

1. Gateway for the Gentiles
• Cornelius, an officer of the Italian cohort, is chosen as the first clearly uncircumcised Gentile to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48).
• His military title and ethnic designation emphasize the breadth of the gospel: from Jerusalem to the heart of the Empire (Acts 1:8).
2. Validation of Apostolic Witness
• The Spirit’s outpouring on a Roman unit vindicates Peter’s vision that “God does not show favoritism” (Acts 10:34), affirming the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-18).
3. Fulfillment of Prophetic Expectation
• Isaiah foresaw nations streaming to the light of the Lord (Isaiah 60:3). The conversion of an Italian officer is an early fulfillment in salvation history.

Lessons for Ministry Today

• God prepares seekers in every culture, even within secular or military institutions.
• The gospel thrives when believers cross ethnic and socio-political boundaries in obedience to divine prompting.
• Leadership positions, like Cornelius’s centurionate, can become strategic platforms for household and communal transformation (Acts 10:24, 10:48).

Cross-References and Parallels

• Other centurions in Luke-Acts: Luke 7:1-10; Acts 27:1, 27:43.
• Old Testament foreshadowing of Gentile inclusion: Jonah 3; Isaiah 42:6-7.
• New Testament affirmation of Gentile equality: Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:28.

Summary

Strong’s 2483 (“Italian”) spotlights a single yet watershed moment in Scripture. By identifying Cornelius’s regiment as Italian, Luke authenticates the full Gentile status of the first non-Jewish household to receive the gospel, illustrating God’s redemptive plan reaching to the very core of Roman society and modeling the church’s ongoing mission to all peoples.

Forms and Transliterations

Ιταλικης Ἰταλικῆς ιταμία ιταμίας ιταμός ιτέα ιτέαις ιτέας Italikes Italikês Italikēs Italikē̂s

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 10:1 Adj-GFS
GRK: τῆς καλουμένης Ἰταλικῆς
NAS: of what was called the Italian cohort,
KJV: the band called the Italian [band],
INT: which is called Italian

Strong's Greek 2483
1 Occurrence

Ἰταλικῆς — 1 Occ.