Bible Encyclopedias
Boanerges

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Βοανεργές , explained by υἱοὶ βροντῆς, sons of thunder, Mark 3:17), a surname given by Christ to James and John, probably on account of their fervid, impetuous spirit (comp. Luke 9:54, and see Olshausen thereon; see also Mark 9:38; comp. Matthew 20:20 sq.). The word boanegyes has greatly perplexed philologists and commentators. It seems agreed that the Greek term does not correctly represent the original Syro- Chaldee word, although it is disputed what that word was. (See Gurlitt, Ueb. d. Bedeutung d. Benamens βοανεργές , in the Theol. Stud. u. Krit. 1829, 4:715 sq.; Jungendres, Etymon. voc. Nouv., Norimb. 1748.) It is probably for בָּיָּנאּרְגֶוֹ, Boyani 'Regets', a Galilean pronunciation of בְּנֵי רְגִז, Beney'Regaz', " sons of commotion," or of בְּנֵי רֶגֶשׁ, Beney'-Re'gesh, "sons of tumult." (See JAMES); (See JOHN).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Boanerges'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​b/boanerges.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.