alphaeus Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
alphaeus in Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) The father of James the Less, the apostle and writer of the epistle (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13), and the husband of Mary (John 19:25). The Hebrew form of this name is Cleopas, or Clopas (q.v.). (2.) The father of Levi, or Matthew (Mark 2:14).
alphaeus in Smith's Bible Dictionary
(changing) the father of the apostle James the Less, #Mt 10:3; Mr 3:18; Lu 6:15; Ac 1:13| and husband of Mary. #Joh 19:25| [MARY] In this latter place he is called Clopas (not, as in the Authorized Version, Cleophas).
alphaeus in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
Father of James the Less, the apostle, and writer of the epistle, and "brother (i.e. cousin) of our Lord" (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13); also of Joses (Mark 15:40). Husband of the Mary who with Jesus' mother stood at the cross (John 19:25). The same as Clopas (as it should be written, not Cleophas), both names being Greek variations of Hebrew Chalpai, or Hhalpai. Possibly the Cleopas of Luke 24:18. If the translation Luke 6:16 be correct, "Jude, brother of James," Alphaeus was his father also. In Mark 2:14 Levi (Matthew) is called the son of Alphaeus. Whether he be the same is not certain: probably not.