Hellenist

Hellenist is a term used for a person who studies, promotes, or adheres to Greek language, culture, or civilization. The word derives from the Ancient Greek hellēn, meaning "Greek," combined with the suffix -ist. In antiquity and later, the label covers a range of implications, from scholars and philosophers of the Hellenistic world to communities that adopted Greek language and customs across the eastern Mediterranean.

In Jewish history, Hellenists described Jews who embraced Greek language and Hellenic culture, sometimes in tension with Hebrew-centered traditions. In early Christianity, the term referred to Greek-speaking Jews and believers, distinguishing them from Aramaic-speaking peers. The distinction appears in historical and religious texts from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, including discussions of language, liturgy, and cultural practice.

In modern scholarship, Hellenist commonly denotes scholars who study ancient Greek language and literature, philosophy, and the broader Greek-influenced world. The term emphasizes linguistic and cultural dimensions of Hellenism rather than a single religious or political ideology. Overall, Hellenist can describe both historical actors within the Greek-speaking world and contemporary scholars dedicated to Greek culture and civilization.