lazarus
/'læzərəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Proper noun:
- The diseased beggar in a parable: In the New Testament, Lazarus is the name of a poor, sick beggar in a parable told by Jesus (Luke 16:19-31). He is contrasted with a rich man.
- A man raised from the dead: In the New Testament, Lazarus of Bethany is the brother of Mary and Martha, whom Jesus raised from the dead after four days in the tomb (John 11:1-44). This event is a significant miracle.
Usage Examples
Proper noun (Parable):
- In the parable, Lazarus lay at the rich man's gate, covered with sores.
- Jesus used the story of Lazarus and the rich man to teach about compassion and the afterlife.
Proper noun (Miracle):
- "Lazarus, come out!" Jesus commanded, and the man who had been dead walked out of the tomb.
- The raising of Lazarus is a pivotal event in the Gospel of John.
Advanced Usage
- "a Lazarus": (Archaic/Literary) Used to refer to a person who is extremely poor, diseased, or a beggar, alluding to the biblical character.
- The city's forgotten poor lived as so many Lazaruses among its wealth.
- "Lazarus-like": (Adjective) Describing a seemingly miraculous recovery or return from a state of ruin, oblivion, or near-death.
- The company made a Lazarus-like comeback from the brink of bankruptcy.
Variants and Related Words
- Lazar (noun, archaic): A poor and diseased person, especially a leper; a beggar. This term derives from the name Lazarus.
- Medieval hospitals for lazzars were often located outside city walls.
Synonyms
- Beggar (for the parabolic figure): mendicant, pauper.
- Resurrected person (for the miracle): None are direct synonyms, but phrases like "one raised from the dead" convey the meaning.
Idioms and Phrases
- "Raise from the dead like Lazarus": To bring something back to life, success, or activity after it seemed completely finished or hopeless.
- The director managed to raise the failing project from the dead like Lazarus.
Noun
- the diseased beggar in Jesus' parable of the rich man and the beggar
- the person who Jesus raised from the dead after four days in the tomb; this miracle caused the enemies of Jesus to begin the plan to put him to death