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Simon

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

Common name; includes Simon Peter, the apostle and church leader

Detailed Definition
Simon Peter, renamed by Jesus, confessed Christ as Messiah, denied Him, yet was restored to feed His sheep. He became a pillar of the early church. In poetry, Simon Peter symbolizes impulsive faith, the rock that stumbles yet stands, and the leader forged through failure and grace—often representing the paradox of human weakness made strong through divine commission.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus renames Simon as Peter—“rock”—a moment inspiring conversion poetry; George Herbert explores Simon Peter’s denial and restoration as cycle of grace; Contemporary poems depict Simon leaving nets for greater catch of souls; In poems about calling, Simon embodies transformation from fisherman to apostle; Some liturgical laments contrast Simon’s impulsiveness with mature leadership; Educational poems cite Simon to teach about identity and vocation.
Additional Notes
Simon appears frequently—as Peter’s original name, a Pharisee hosting Jesus (Luke 7), a leper (Matthew 26), and others; context is essential; “Simon” (meaning “hearing”) often contrasts with “Peter” (“rock”) to highlight transformation—ideal for poems on identity, calling, or the tension between old and new selves.
Also Known As
Simon Peter Simon the Zealot Simon the Canaanite Simon son of Jonah
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