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Joseph Barsabbas

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Candidate to replace Judas Iscariot among the Twelve, also called Justus

Detailed Definition
Joseph Barsabbas was nominated but not chosen; Matthias was selected by lot (Acts 1:23–26). In poetry, Joseph Barsabbas symbolizes faithful readiness without recognition, the humility of accepting divine sovereignty in appointments, and how near-misses still honor God through willingness.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Joseph Barsabbas (Acts 1) illustrates the near-chosen apostle; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Joseph Barsabbas models the faithful candidate not selected; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Joseph Barsabbas symbolizes the qualified yet passed over; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Joseph Barsabbas represents the dignity of obscurity; In Christina Rossetti’s devotional verse, Joseph Barsabbas’s name evokes the communion of saints; In T.S. Eliot’s "Four Quartets," Joseph Barsabbas’s lot illustrates divine sovereignty in choice.
Additional Notes
Joseph Barsabbas: Candidate to replace Judas (Acts 1:23); also called Justus. In poetry, Joseph Barsabbas symbolizes the road not taken, the dignity of near-selection, and the quiet faithfulness of those who serve without prominence. His name (“son of Sabbath”) and epithet (“Justus”) reflect piety—ideal for poems on vocation, divine choice, or the honor of being considered.
Also Known As
Justus Barsabbas
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