Bible Lexicons

Σιλουανός is read by WH in the NT occurrences of this proper name, but the form Σιλβανός, which is found in certain MSS., is otherwise well attested. An ex. of it, contemporary with the NT writings, occurs in P Oxy II. 335 (c. A.D. 85), where a Jew Silvanus buys part of a house in the Jewish quarter from Paulus. Unfortunately the crucial letter is missing (Σιλ [βα ]νῷ —Edd.), but there does not seem room for ουα. Σιλουανός occurs in P Lips I. 19.4 (A.D. 319), his own signature at the foot having β; and in a Christian amulet, BGU III. 954.4 (vi/A.D.), where we may presume the influence of the Biblical name. P Lond 1157.16 (A.D. 197) (= III. p. 63) is the earliest dated papyrus we know where the β is extant, unless P Strass I. 27.69 (i/ii A.D.—Ed.)is older.

From inscrr. may be quoted Cagnat III. 705 (A.D. 147); but Kaibel 432 (Syria—ii/A.D.) Σιλουανός, and similarly Preisigke 674 (Alexandria—no date) and Cagnat III. 1188 (Syria—no date). Note also the Galatian Σ ]ιλουανο [ῦ in OGIS 533.50 (reign of Augustus). This is in keeping with the fact that Avircius Marcellus in his famous epitaph, C. and B. ii. p. 722 f. (c. A.D. 192), twice (.3, .17) calls himself Ἀουίρκιος. Ramsay remarks (op. cit. p. 737) that ";towards the end of the second century, the use of β to represent Latin v began; and in the third century it became almost universal"; : cf. also his Asian Elements, p. 241. It must be noted, however, that there are much earlier exx. : see Viereck Sermo Graecus, p. 57, where instances are given from i/B.C. Note also P Ryl II. 127.26 (A.D. 29) and 138.4 (A.D. 34), with Λιβία = Livia. There are some instances of ο, as Κοΐντος, Ὀαλέριος.