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Did you know that the apostle Simeon was nicknamed Niger… pronounced NEE-GER in Latin? Growing up, I was taught that it was pronounced ny-jer, so I never gave it any additional thought. A couple of years ago, Xavier Jackson brought up the reference in Acts, which motivated me to give it a second look. Let’s start by looking at the verse:
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” – Acts 13:1
We’re going to dig into every aspect of this verse, starting with the word “Niger” and then we’re going to investigate what seems to be a list of black apostles.
From Niger To Nigger
What we have above is another of the many interesting references to skin color hidden all over the Bible. In Western culture, we are taught that the word Niger is pronounced ny-jer, but that is incorrect:
As we can hear, the word is pronounced a little different than it is pronounced in the West. We run into similar mispronunciations like this all of the time, even though the people know for a fact that they are pronouncing it wrong. They choose to go out of their way to pronounce words incorrectly, which leads to others pronouncing them the same way. The most often occurs with names of people of color.
- 2 Pac – The majority of people pronounce it TWO-POCK. However, some non black people choose to say it wrong as TWO-PACK, even though they are capable of pronouncing it correctly. This is done on purpose as a sign of disrespect.
- 50 Cent – The majority of people pronounce it FIFTY-CENT. However, many non black people go out of their way to pronounce it as FIDDY-CENT for whatever reason, in an attempt to sound “black”. 50 Cent explains in his own words.
I do not believe that the pronunciation of words has any racist intent behind them, but are a result of what people THINK they heard, when it was pronounced, at least in most cases. Sometimes it’s just outright stereotyping. When we look at the progression of the pronunciation of the word “Niger”, we run into something similar.
- nee-jer
- nee-ger
- nigger
In order to understand why black people went from being called Niger to Nigger, we must look at the definition of the word.
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The Definition of Niger
- Dark, Black – The Latin Dictionary
- Black – Bible Study Tools
In Spanish, we find another more familiar word that also has the same meaning:
-
Negro: Mid 16th century: via Spanish and Portuguese from Latin niger, nigr- black. – Oxford Dictionary
Spanish is a Latin based language, and Latin was spoken by the Roman conquerors that the Hebrews referred to as Gentiles (Matthew 20:19). The early uses of the word niger and later negro, were not racist, but were more descriptive of skin color. When slaves were brought to the Americas, the descriptive terms were later turned into racial slurs meant to degrade slaves and their descendants.
But Wait There’s More…
This is solely my opinion, but I believe that the term “nigger” arose not only because of cultural mispronunciation, but also because it was a broad term used to describe black people in general. Slave owners had no desire to learn individual tribes or even names of slaves. Because of that, slaves were renamed and the broader term “niger” became “nigger” as a means of reference.
Over time the word “nigger” took on racist and hateful undertones, which is why the word is so taboo in modern society. Again, that is just my opinion, but it seems to be the case based on the history of the word.
Now that we’ve looked at Simeon the black apostle, let’s take a look at the other people mentioned in Acts 13:1.
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The List of Black Apostles
At first glance, Acts 13:1 just looks like a list of names of apostles, and it is. However, as is the norm with scripture, there is a lot more to what is being presented in the text. Let’s look at each of the names in the list.
- Barnabas – A Levite born in Cyprus. Cyprus was ruled an inhabited by people of color before and after Roman invasion and occupation. It’s also interesting to note that Moses was a Levite as well, and was also mistaken for an Egyptian. It is very likely that Barnabas was a person of color.
- Simeon – He was surnamed Niger, pronounced “nee-jer”, which means “black skin” in Latin.
- Lucius of Cyrene – Cyrene is a city located in Libya, Africa
- Manaen – Only mentioned once in the Bible. Nothing else is known about him from scripture.
- Saul – Later renamed Paul, he was from the tribe of Benjamin, and was mistaken for an Egyptian (Acts 21:38).
With the exception of Manaen, the other apostles listed are either called black, originate from Africa, lived in a historically ethnic area, or was mistaken for an African. Reason and logic dictate that these were not light or white skinned people.
The Breakdown
While it is certainly PC to make the claim that the Bible doesn’t talk about skin color, it’s certainly not true at all. All over the Bible we see references to skin color. The more we dig into scripture to find the meaning behind the names, locations, and culture… the more we see that the Bible is a document written by people of color, to people of color, but later included the Gentiles for redemption through Christ.
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and then
I am new to your site, and have enjoyed it immensely! I have read and reread the bible and many other scriptural text for various reasons as a young child and now as a senior. The mysteries of God: spiritual and supernatural has always been a fascination of mine…love the subject. In my mind, even young, the things you have brought up, was common sense and real. Now with you, it’s CONFORMATION!! Thank you! I will continue to follow you and read your books, as I too am a researcher and a novelist. Again, thank you for the “Awakening” knowledge… and the continued learning experience!
Thank you for enlightening me on these biblical issues. We have been doing Bible Studies for the past two years. Our minister, a good man,left many blanks ,
eg details about Simeon, Barnabas etc.Thank you for opening another dimension to our studies. A mixed ethnic group of us went on a Pilgrimage to Galilee and our Galilean Teacher was an Armenian by descent and a Christian. He tried to point these things out but was a bit too subtle possibly not to offend, because of the racial composition of the group, so thanks a lot for putting all this into context.Many things are now clearer. Incidentally, I have noticed that some editions of the bible omit what may seem minor facts but are very important to our understanding of the scriptures.
Thank you for this insightful commentary!
Note –
Saul was not renamed “Paul”.
Paul is the Greek name for Saul.
Saul ministry was assigned to gentiles (mainly Greeks at the time),
so he referred to himself in that spelling.
Be blessed!
You said Niger was a Apostle and then gave a list of names of people you said were Apostles. The scripture you gave Acts 13 does not say Niger or the other people you named were Apostles. Can you help me understand why you say they were Apostles. Thank you.
I can only assume that you didn’t bother to read the scripture. It clearly says “Niger” in Acts 13:1. Everyone I listed was an apostle. You need to actually do some studying before you come trying to correct my teaching. I don’t put out anything unless it is thoroughly researched first.
If you want to contact me privately, message me on Facebook.
I am not trying to correct you. I am asking you a question. The verse you gave does not say Niger was a Apostle not does it say the other people you listed were Apostles. Now maybe I’m missing something or understanding something. That’s why I engaged you to help me understand.
Read the WHOLE Bible and stop looking for one verse answers. The verse I gave was the mention of Niger. If you don’t know these people were apostles, feel free to read Acts. I know you’re not trying to correct me because there is nothing to correct.
I believe they were called this because they liken them to the color of the EARTH which God created man from. And modern sciences has proven that the Afrikaans are the only ones on this planet that has and carries the HUMAN genome in them all others are Neanderthals confirming that we’re are Gods choosen people! So the word NIGER Nigger means EARTH or “people of Earth”.
Thanks for the response. It’s the first I’ve heard of that. Do you have a source language or reference for that translation?
I have never heard of that and I’m a Theologian. Nigger does not mean Earth in Greek or Hebrew. What language is that?
Will all “Hebrews” or blacks be going to,heaven in the second coming of Christ?
You should apply some time to actually learning and understanding. You clearly assume all black people are the same. Learn the difference between black people. There’s a difference and once you figure out you’ll see how ridiculous of a question this is.
What I can tell you is read Joel 3… anyone involved in the enslavement, oppression, and turning a blind eye to either of those will face the wrath of God. EVERYTHING in the book of Revelation happens because of WORLDWIDE slavery.
Europeans are the ONLY people that committed worldwide slavery and they ONLY did it to black people from Africa that claimed to be the tribe of Judah.
So if you think for one second God is confused about who is his and who did what to his, then you’re mistaken.
You clearly have a problem with truth if it isn’t presented through a white lens because I can 100% guarantee you aren’t asking this on any sites that push a fake white version of the Bible… also known as a deception.
Your responses are not gentle or kind which leaves me questioning your overall motive. All things and people and information is to bring glory to God and I asked simple questions on 2 of your articles. I was reading and taking in the information but I’m not seeing the fruit of someone Christlike in kindness or gentleness. I am black but black won’t get me heaven dear friend and it certainly won’t get you there either. The elect are those called by God Hebrew or gentile black white Mexican etc.
My responses aren’t gentle because you came here with a lying spirit. Where and when did ANYONE on this site make the claim that salvation is based on race? Not once… but you feel the need to bring it up.
My official statement of faith is 100% clear about what I believe about salvation.
So if you don’t like my response stop making ridiculous statements and asking ridiculous questions when you can’t even be honest with yourself about what is taught here.
Furthermore, I KNOW you’re not black… I googled your email and you’re clearly white, which is also 100% evident based on your questions and the ridiculous statement about being black wont’ get someone to heaven.
Stop lying to yourself and everyone else and go find Christ, then come back when you’re ready for non sugar coated truth. I don’t teach the fake white Joel Osteen feel good version of the Bible. Let that sink in.
Also, nobody here really cares what Europeans think the agenda is. We’re done with European lies and false doctrine. We’ve got it from here. Feel free to exit stage left if the truth bothers you.
Thanks for the research, I would say that All of the early apostles were “people of color”, because they were from this middle east region of the World, Jesus was a person of color, because he was a Jewish middle eastern man, I think this needs to be emphasized because I hear so many times that Christianity is a “white Man’s religion”, which of course is false, “God does not look on the outward man, as man sees, but God looks at the heart”. I love the diversity in the church at Antioch, a beautiful picture of what the modern church should be.
Thanks again!
Let’s not be confused by what modern day “Middle Eastern” people look like. The people we see now are what they look like POST European invasion and thousands of years of mixing. Even the Bible notes that Cushites built Babylon. Cushites are black Africans. You can find that in Genesis 10 – 11. There are still black Arabs today that look more African than modern Middle Eastern.
I think the reason many people believe it’s “the white man’s religion” is because Europeans have done so much to cover up the truth.
I believe Simon the Cyrene was Black and I believe Simon carried the cross of Jesus because he was Jesus of Nazareth and Simon the Pharisee the Father and Judge of the Oral Traditions and the Law (Buttrick, George Arthur. “Pharisees.” The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 3. New York: Abingdon; 1962, pp 776-777.) According to the Gospel of Mark, Simon was the Father of Rufus and Alexander (Mark 15:21).
Linda,
Thanks for the response. I’d actually overlooked the references to Rufus and Alexander. I’ll be adding them to the section about Simeon and updating it. Thanks again for responding.
You’re welcome…and May the Christmas Spirit be with you the rest of the week and into the New Year.