Was Simon of Niger a black African man?

[Lik3]

I know that Niger is a country in West Africa, but was Niger named after him? That is why I asked about him? I also believe that the first believers were Jews and believers of Semitic and Hamitic origin. What is the real story about him and was he also a Jew?Correct me if I am wrong here.

Acts 13:1-3
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

According to Wikipedia, the country of Niger was named after the Niger River. Niger is Latin for black, so most likely Simeon was simply a dark skinned man.

 

[LastSeven]

I don't think we can know for sure, and I don't think it matters, but if you're interested this short article has something to say about it.

"...Furthermore, it was not uncommon for residents of the Roman Empire who were called "Niger" (which means black) to be white. The Roman emperor Pescennius Niger (AD 135-194) carried the "black" descriptor in his name, but he belonged to an an old Italian equestrian family. Friezes depicting him demonstrate he was Euroethnic."

Source

 

[GreekOrthodox]

@Last, I agree with you completely that a someone's nickname in Scripture doesnt matter one dot or tittle. For all we know he was the red-headed black sheep of the family Merry Christmas!

 

[Lik3]

I don't think we can know for sure, and I don't think it matters, but if you're interested this short article has something to say about it.

"...Furthermore, it was not uncommon for residents of the Roman Empire who were called "Niger" (which means black) to be white. The Roman emperor Pescennius Niger (AD 135-194) carried the "black" descriptor in his name, but he belonged to an an old Italian equestrian family. Friezes depicting him demonstrate he was Euroethnic."

Source

I have read through the blog. Thanks, but considering the source, I find his centrist views highly suspect.

 

[GoingByzantine]

I believe this is a question that has no discernible answer, at least at this time.

 

[LastSeven]

I have read through the blog. Thanks, but considering the source, I find his centrist views highly suspect.

Your call. In any case, what does it matter?

 

[Lik3]

Your call. In any case, what does it matter?

Interesting you asked. I had a discussion with one of my relatives about Simon of Niger and all of the other prophets and teachers in that particular verse. I noticed that the first believers came from the areas where Semitic and Hamitic peoples were located, except Persians maybe. She misinterpreted Niger, but I told her that Niger had to do with a SubSaharan African country and not anything racist or something to misinterpret, but unlike much of North Africa, Niger was a black African nation. I hardly see Christianity as just a religion of one race or another as Jesus died for all, but it would not surprise me if one of the apostles or teachers was a black or North African man. It is one thing to be a centrist, but many sites for example by centrists provide nothing but half-truths, whole lies, and intellectual dishonesty.

 

[TheNorwegian]

Yes, he was probably black. Not from the country we call Niger today, but with African ancestors, Easton Bible Dictionary says:

"He was probably so called from his dark complexion"