Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(Jacob). (1) “The Greater” or “Elder,” son of Zebedee and brother of John (Matt. 4:21-22). A fisherman of Galilee, called to the Apostolate about A. D. 28, and styled Boanerges (Matt. 10:2-3; Mark 3:14-18; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 1:13). Labored at Jerusalem. Beheaded by Herod, A. D. 44. (2) Christ’s brother (Gal. 1:9). (3) James the Less (Mark 15:40). May be same as 4. (4) another Apostle, son of Alphaeus (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). Doubtless the author of the Epistle of James, It was written before A. D. 62 to the scattered Jews, urging good works as evidence of faith.
“James, Son of Zebedee” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
One of the twelve apostles, and brother of John the apostle. He was a fisherman, and was called to the apostleship while mending his nets. He at once forsook all and followed the Lord (Matt. 4:21; Matt. 10:2; Mark 1:19, 29; Luke 5:10; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). James and his brother were named by the Lord BOANERGES, “sons of thunder.” He with John asked if they should call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans (Luke 9:54).
Peter, James, and John were privileged by the Lord to attend Him on several occasions, as on the mount of transfiguration (Matt. 17:1; Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2; Mark 13:3; Mark 14:33; Luke 8:51; Luke 9:28). The mother of James and John requested that her two sons might sit, the one on the right hand and the other on the left of the Lord in His kingdom. This raised the indignation of the other disciples; but the Lord taught them all a lesson of humility: He Himself had come to minister and to give His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:20). James was killed by Herod Agrippa I. about A.D. 43 (Acts 12:2). The “James” referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:7 may be this apostle.
“James, Son of Alphaeus” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
One of the twelve apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). These are the only passages where with certainty this apostle is spoken of; but we find in the Acts of the Apostles a James at Jerusalem after the son of Zebedee had been killed, and holding a sort of first place there. He spoke with a measure of authority at the conference respecting the law not being enforced on the Gentiles, saying, “My sentence is ... ” This suggests that he was an apostle, and the son of Alphaeus (Acts 12:17; Acts 15:13; Acts 21:18; Gal. 2:9,12). He was most probably the writer of the Epistle of James, and the brother of Jude, or Judas, who was also an apostle (Luke 6:16; James 1:1; Jude 1).
“James, the Lord's Brother” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
Though the word ἀδελφός is used in the LXX in a wider sense than “brother,” it has been judged that its use in the New Testament is restricted to those born of the same mother; and therefore the Lord’s brother could not have been the same person as the son of Alphaeus. Nor is it probable that he was one of the twelve apostles, for we read that “neither did his brethren believe in him” (John 7:5). The first mention of the Lord’s brethren being with the apostles is in Acts 1:14, and there they are referred to as distinct from them. James the Lord’s brother was seen at Jerusalem by Paul (Gal. 1:19). The being thus designated distinguishes him from the apostle who is simply called James in Galatians 2:9, 12. Learned authorities state that in Galatians 1:19 the construction of the passage in the Greek does not necessarily imply that James the Lord’s brother was an apostle. He is mentioned also in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3.
“James the Less” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
This occurs in Mark 15:40, and the same person is called simply James (Matt. 27:56; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10). He is only mentioned to point out his mother, whose name was Mary. James and Joses were common names and are found also among the brethren of the Lord. But James the Less may be, as some think, the same person as James the son of Alphaeus.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Meaning:
the same as 2384 Graecized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
Greek form of Jacob
Potts’ Bible Proper Names:
He held the heel; supplanter:―name of three Israelites [JACOB], Matt. 10:2. {Calcaneum tenebat; Jacobus}