Principal Places

From: Bible Handbook: New Testament By: Walter Biggar Scott

Abilene

Luke 3:1¹Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, (Luke 3:1).-A portion of Palestine, of which Abila was the capital. Lysanias was tetrarch. Though the boundary of the tetrarchy is not known, Abila is believed to be identified on the eastern slope of the Anti-Libanus, 33° 38' N., near the wild gorge of the Abana River.

Aceldama‘the Field of Blood.'-

There was a spot near to Jerusalem called 'the field of the potter.' This was bought by the chief priests with the purchase money of the Lord as a burial ground for strangers, cf. Matt. 27:8⁸Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. (Matthew 27:8); Acts 1:19¹⁹And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. (Acts 1:19); Zech. 11:12, 13¹²And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. ¹³And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. (Zechariah 11:12‑13). There is a charnel house on the south of Jerusalem, now in ruins, that is pointed out as the site of the field.

Achaia

Acts 19:21²¹After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. (Acts 19:21); Rom. 15:26²⁶For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. (Romans 15:26); 1 Cor. 16:15¹⁵I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) (1 Corinthians 16:15), &c.-This, with Macedonia, included the whole of Greece in N. T. language. At the time when Paul wrote, it was assigned to the Roman Senate, and its ruler was correctly called a 'pro-consul' or 'deputy,' Acts 18:12¹²And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, (Acts 18:12).

Adramyttium

Acts 27:2²And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. (Acts 27:2).-The seaport of Mysia, in Asia Minor. Paul touched at it in his journey to Rome.

Adria

Acts 27:27²⁷But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; (Acts 27:27).-That part of the Mediterranean Sea lying between Sicily, Italy, and Greece.

ֶNon

John 3:23²³And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. (John 3:23).-It signifies ‘the springs,' and was near Salim. It was on the west side of the Jordan, cf. John 3:26²⁶And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. (John 3:26), but has not been identified. John baptized there because there was 'much water.' Jesus also (or rather his disciples) baptized in Judea, John 3:22²²After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. (John 3:22).

Alexandria

Acts 18:24; 27:6; 28:11²⁴And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. (Acts 18:24)
⁶And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. (Acts 27:6)
¹¹And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. (Acts 28:11) was founded by Alexander the Great, head of the third great kingdom of Daniel, in B.C. 332, and was intended by him as the capital of Egypt. It was completed by the Ptolemies. It lies near the S.W. corner of the Mediterranean, and is still one of the principal cities of Egypt.

Amphipolis

Acts 17:1¹Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: (Acts 17:1).-A city of Macedonia, situate on the river Strymon, about three miles from the sea. Paul and Silas passed through it on their way from Philippi to Thessalonica. It has long been in ruins, but on its site is erected a village called Jeni-keni.

Antioch in Syria.

This was founded about 300 B.C. by Seleucus Nicatorand was adorned and enriched by early emperors. It became the capital in Syria of the Greek kings, and was afterward the residence of the Roman governors. It was beautifully situated on the junction of the heights of Lebanon and of Taurus, where the river Orontes issues from the mountain about 36. 5' N. Lat. It was here that believers in the Lord Jesus were first called Christians, and from here that Paul started on his missionary journeys, and to this place he returned, Acts. 11, 13, 14, 15, 18. Though in Syria, it was so far removed from Jerusalem that it proved a suitable place to form a center for action free from Judaism, though fellowship with the church at Jerusalem was maintained. A small town occupies its site named Antakia.

Antioch in Pisidia.

A Roman colony in Pisidiain Asia Minor: Paul visited it with Barnabas, Acts 13:14¹⁴But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. (Acts 13:14), but was expelled by the Jews, 2 Tim. 3:11¹¹Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Timothy 3:11). This was also founded by Seleucus Nicator. The Romans made it the seat of a pro-consular government. Its site is supposed to correspond with Yalobatch.

Antipatris

Acts 23:31³¹Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. (Acts 23:31).-A city built by Herod the Great, on the road from Jerusalem to Caesarea. To this place Paul was brought by night. Some identify it with a small village called Kefr-Saba, but others prefer Ras el-Ain, which better agrees with the description given by Josephus.

Apollonia

Acts 17.1.-A city of Macedonia. Paul and Silas passed through it on their way from Philippi and Amphipolis to Thessalonica.

Appii Forum

Acts 28:15¹⁵And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. (Acts 28:15).-A station on the main road from Rome to the Bay of Naples, constructed by Appius Claudius. It was about 40 English miles from Rome

Arabia

.-in Gal. 4:25²⁵For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Galatians 4:25) Mount Sinai Is Said to Be in Arabiathis Is a General Name for the Abode of the Arabs or Arabians, Embracing the East of Lower Egypt, and the East of Palestine and Syria, From the Red Sea to Far North. Paul Went Into Arabia, and From Thence to Damascus, Gal. 1:17¹⁷Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. (Galatians 1:17).

Areopagus or Mars' Hill

acts 17. 19, 22.-the Greek Is the Same in Both Verses, ὁ” Αοειος Πάγος, the Words Being Translated in Ver. 22. This Was a High Court for Judicial and National Purposes. It Does Not Appear That Paul Was Before the Council Judicially, for to Proclaim a New God Was Punishable With Death; He Was Heard Out of Curiosity by the Philosophers. Sixteen Stone Steps Cut in the Rock Still Lead to the Spot. See Athens.

Arimathea

Matt. 27:57⁵⁷When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: (Matthew 27:57), &c.-The city of Joseph, who 'begged the body of Jesus.' It was 'a city of the Jews,' Luke 23:51⁵¹(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. (Luke 23:51). Its site cannot now be identified.

Armageddon. Rev. 16:16¹⁶And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (Revelation 16:16).-

This is a Hebrew word in Greek letters and is considered to mean 'Mount of Megiddo.' One naturally turns to Judg. 5:19¹⁹The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. (Judges 5:19), where it says that the kings fought by the waters of Megiddo. See also 2 Chron. 35:22²²Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. (2 Chronicles 35:22); Zech. 12:11¹¹In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (Zechariah 12:11). Megiddo is identified with the south of the plain of Esdraelon on the boundary line between ancient portions of Issachar and Manasseh. It was the great battle-field of Palestine.

Asia-

n the N. T. the word 'Asia' must be understood to refer to the Roman province of Asia Minorthough not always of the same extent: in Acts 2:9, 10⁹Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 2:9‑10), Phrygia is distinct from Asia; whereas in 1 Pet. 1:1¹Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1) and Rev. 1:4, 11⁴John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)
¹¹Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11), and perhaps other places, Asia would embrace a wider district. Its extent was not definitely settled. In Acts 16: 6 'Asia' refers merely to Mysia, Lydia, and Caria on the east.

Assos

Acts 20:13, 14¹³And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. ¹⁴And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. (Acts 20:13‑14).-A seaport of Mysia, on the north shore of the Gulf of Adramyttium, in Asia Minor. It may be seen on a map that Paul would be able to walk from Troas to Assos as quickly as a ship could sail the distance. It is now called Behram.

Athens

Acts 17:15, 16, 22; 18:1¹⁵And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. ¹⁶Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. (Acts 17:15‑16)
²²Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (Acts 17:22)
¹After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; (Acts 18:1); 1 Thess. 3:1¹Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; (1 Thessalonians 3:1).-The celebrated capital of Attica, the chief seat of civilization, learning and art in the golden age of Grecian history. The city was adorned with temples and altars to every imaginable deity. It was here that Paul was led to Mars' Hill, where he delivered his address so suitable to a heathen audience of learned men.

Attalia

Acts 14:25²⁵And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: (Acts 14:25).-A seaport of Pamphylia, in Asia Minor, whence Paul sailed on his return to Antioch. It is now called Adalia, and is described as standing on a high cliff above the sea, with no beach.

Azotus

Acts 8:40⁴⁰But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:40).-Where Philip was found after accompanying the Eunuch. It is about mid-way between Gaza and Joppa, about three miles from the sea. It is called Ashdod in the O. T., and now Esdud. It was destroyed by the Maccabees, but was restored by the Romans, and assigned to Salome.

Babylon.-

The name refers, to the ancient Babylon, whence the Israelites were carried captive, Matt. 1:11, 12, 17¹¹And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: ¹²And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; (Matthew 1:11‑12)
¹⁷So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:17); Acts 7:43⁴³Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. (Acts 7:43); b, a city referred to in 1 Peter 5:13¹³The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. (1 Peter 5:13), where there was an assembly. Though the ancient Babylon had been destroyed, Josephus and Philo speak of it as being inhabited in their time, so that it is possible that this is the place alluded to; c, mystical Babylon. Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17: 5; 18:2⁸And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation 14:8)
¹⁹And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:19)
²And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:2): papal Rome; see its description in Rev. 17²With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. (Revelation 17:2).; 18.

Berea

Acts 17:10-15; 20:4¹⁰And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. ¹²Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. ¹³But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. ¹⁴And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. ¹⁵And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. (Acts 17:10‑15)
⁴And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 20:4).-A city of Macedonia near Thessalonica, where the Jews were more noble, in that they searched the scriptures to judge of Paul's preaching. Its modern name is Verria.

Bethabara

John 1:28²⁸These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:28).-It was somewhere 'beyond' or to the east of Jordan, but where is not known. The oldest MSS. read 'Bethany.' Some suppose the two names refer to the same place.

Bethany

Matt. 21:17; 26:6¹⁷And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. (Matthew 21:17)
⁶Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, (Matthew 26:6); Mark 11:1, 12; 14:3¹And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, (Mark 11:1)
¹²And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: (Mark 11:12)
³And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. (Mark 14:3); Luke 19:29; 24:50²⁹And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, (Luke 19:29)
⁵⁰And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (Luke 24:50); John 11:1, 18; 12:1¹Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (John 11:1)
¹⁸Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: (John 11:18)
¹Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. (John 12:1).-It signifies 'house of dates.' It was where Lazarus and his sisters resided, and where the Lord found a sort of retreat. It was here that Lazarus was raised from the dead, and it was near this place that the Lord ascended into heaven, on the east slope of the mount of Olives, about two miles from Jerusalem. It is now a miserable hamlet called El. Azariyeh, ' the place of Lazarus.' Cf. Bethabara.

Bethesda

John 5:2²Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. (John 5:2).-Its meaning is probably 'house of effusion, or mercy.' It had five porches, in which lay the sick and infirm, waiting for the agitation of the water by an angel. It was near the sheep gate or market. See article on Jerusalem, after article “The division of Time”.

Bethlehem

Matt, 2:1, 6, 8, 16; Luke 2:4, 15⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (Luke 2:4)
¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (Luke 2:15); John 7:42⁴²Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? (John 7:42).-It signifies 'house of bread.' It was the birthplace of the Lord, and is called ‘the city of David,' Luke 2:11¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11), because David was born there. This must not be confounded with Zion, which is also called 'the city of David,' 2 Sam. 5:7⁷Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. (2 Samuel 5:7). Its modern name is Beit-lahm. It lies five miles south of Jerusalem, is a better town than some in Palestine, and has about 2,000 inhabitants. It seems beautifully significant that the One who was emphatically the ‘bread of God’ and the ‘bread of life’ should have been born in ‘the House of Bread’.

Bethphage

Matt. 21:1¹And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, (Matthew 21:1); Mark 2:1¹And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. (Mark 2:1); Luke 19:29²⁹And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, (Luke 19:29),-It signifies ‘house of figs.' A village on the eastern declivity of the mount of Olives, not far from Bethany. Its site is not now identified.

Bethsaida

Matt. 11:21²¹Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (Matthew 11:21) Mark 6:45⁴⁵And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. (Mark 6:45); Luke 10:13¹³Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. (Luke 10:13); John 1:44; 12:21⁴⁴Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. (John 1:44)
²¹The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (John 12:21).‒It signifies 'house of fish.' There can be little doubt that there were two places of this name: indeed this is implied by one being called Bethsaida 'of Galilee,' to distinguish it from some other. This was on the west of the Lake of Tiberias near the north. In the 'woes' pronounced by the Lord, it is associated with Capernaum and Chorazin—places also near the north end of the lake. Philip, Andrew, and Peter were of this city. Its site cannot now be identified. The other Bethsaida was on the east of the lake, farther north, near the desert, where the five thousand were fed. Luke 9:10¹⁰And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. (Luke 9:10): cf, Matt. 14:13¹³When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. (Matthew 14:13); Mark 6:32³²And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. (Mark 6:32). Mark 8:22²²And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. (Mark 8:22) also refers to the same. This city was called 'Julias' by Philip the Tetrarch, after the emperor's daughter Julia. A mound of shapeless stones, called et-Tell, ‘the hill,' is supposed to mark its site.

Bithynia

Acts 16:7⁷After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. (Acts 16:7); 1 Peter 1:1¹Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1).-A mountainous district in the north of Asia Minor. It was a Roman province. Paul was not suffered to enter there; but it is one of the places mentioned by Peter in his epistle to the strangers of the dispersion.

Cæsarea

Acts 8:40; 9:30⁴⁰But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:40)
³⁰Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. (Acts 9:30), &c.-The celebrated seaport of Palestine, about 70 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Paul repeatedly visited the port in his travels. Herod built the harbor and city. It was the seat of the Roman governors, and where Paul spent two years as a prisoner. It is now called Kaisarieh, and is described as a mass of prostrate columns and ruined masonry, without an inhabitant.

Cæsarea Philippi

Matt. 16:13¹³When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (Matthew 16:13); Mark 8:27²⁷And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? (Mark 8:27).-In the north of Palestine, on the east of the Jordan, a little south of mount Hermon, perhaps as far north on the east of Jordan as the Lord visited. It was thus named by Philip the Tetrarch, but was originally called Paneas. Its modern name is Banias.

Calvary

Luke 23:33³³And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (Luke 23:33).-See article on Jerusalem, after article “The division of Time”.

Cana of Galilee

John 2:1, 11; 4:46; 21:2¹And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (John 2:1)
¹¹This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:11)
⁴⁶So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. (John 4:46)
²There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. (John 21:2).-The place of the Lord's first miracle, turning the water into wine, and the city to which Nathanael belonged. It was in the neighborhood of Capernaum, and on higher ground, The Lord went down to Capernaum. It has been identified by some with Kefr-Kenna, about four and a half miles north-east of Nazareth, but others prefer Kana-el-Jelil (or Khurbet Kana), about eight miles north-east of Nazareth.

Canaan

Matt, 15:22.-A name corresponding to Palestine.

Capernaum

att. 4:13; 8:5; 11:23, &c.-Remarkable as being designated the Lord's 'own city,' Matt. 9:1¹And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. (Matthew 9:1); Mark 2:1¹And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. (Mark 2:1). It was perhaps the place where He dwelt more than any other. There He did many miracles, and spoke many ‘gracious words,' but He was rejected there, and this called forth this solemn ‘woe' against it: it should be brought down to hades, Matt. 11:23²³And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matthew 11:23). It was on the west side of the lake, 'upon the sea coast in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim.' Many identify it with Tell Hum; others prefer Khan Minyeh.

Cappadocia

Acts 2:9⁹Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (Acts 2:9); 1 Peter 1:1¹Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1).-A Roman province in the most eastern part of Asia Minor, but extending eastward to the Euphrates. Jews from thence were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost; and Peter includes them in his first epistle.

Cedron

John 18:1¹When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. (John 18:1).-Another form of Kidron or Kedron. A ravine in which flowed the brook, at the east of Jerusalem, separating it from the mount of Olives, but which is now nearly always dry.

Cenchrea

Acts 18:18¹⁸And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. (Acts 18:18); Rom. 16:1¹I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: (Romans 16:1).‒ The eastern port of Corinth, from which it was distant about nine miles. There was an assembly there.

Chanaan.-Same As Canaan.

Charran

Acts 7:2, 4²And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, (Acts 7:2)
⁴Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. (Acts 7:4).-The same as Haran, Gen. 11:31³¹And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. (Genesis 11:31), &c., where the LXX has Χαοοάν: the plain of Mesopotamia, between the rivers Khabour and the Euphrates. There is an Arab village in the district called Harran.

Chaldזans

Land of the, Acts 7. 4.-The district between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates.

Chios

Acts 20:15¹⁵And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. (Acts 20:15).-An island in the ֶgean Sea, near the west coast of Asia Minor: now Scios.

Chorazin

Matt. 11:21²¹Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (Matthew 11:21); Luke 10:13¹³Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. (Luke 10:13).-One of the cities on which a 'woe' was pronounced by the Lord because of rejecting Him, His words, and His works. It was doubtless near the lake of Gennesaret on the west side, and its site is supposed by some to be identified with Kerazeh, where are extensive ruins; but others identify it with Tell Hum.

Cilicia

Acts 6:9; 15:41; 21:39⁹Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. (Acts 6:9)
⁴¹And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:41)
³⁹But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. (Acts 21:39); Gal. 1:21²¹Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; (Galatians 1:21).-A district in Asia Minor at the extreme N.E. corner of the Mediterranean. Tarsus was its capital, to which Paul belonged.

Cnidus

Acts 27:7⁷And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; (Acts 27:7).-A city and sea-port passed by Paul on his way to Rome. It is in the extreme S.W. of Asia Minor.

Colosse

Col. 1:2²To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2).-A city in Phrygia in Asia Minor, twelve miles nearly east of Laodicea, It does not appear that Paul had visited the place before he wrote the epistle to the church there: cf. Col. 2:1¹For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (Colossians 2:1). Its ruins are supposed to be 3 miles north of the town of Khonas.

Coos

Acts 21. I.-An island on the south-west of Asia Minor; same as Cos.

Corinth

Acts 18:1; 19:1¹After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; (Acts 18:1)
¹And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (Acts 19:1); 1 Cor. 1:2; 2²Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2)
²For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2) Cor. 1:1, 23; 2 Tim. 4:20²⁰Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (2 Timothy 4:20).-The learned and wealthy but dissolute capital of Achaia. There had been an earlier city, but the one referred to in the Acts was founded by Julius Caesar. Paul continued there eighteen months, and thence he wrote the first and second Epistles to the Thessalonians, and afterward the Epistle to the Romans. He had been the means of the conversion of the Corinthians, to whom he wrote the two Epistles bearing their name. Corinth is now only a mean village, with a few fragments of its former greatness.

Crete.

Acts 27:712, 13, 21¹³And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. (Acts 27:13)
²¹But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. (Acts 27:21); Titus 1:5, 12⁵For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)
¹²One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (Titus 1:12).-A large island in the Mediterranean, not far from Greece, also called Candia. Some Jews from Crete were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost. These may have received and carried to Crete the gospel. Paul at a late date, apparently visited Crete, and left Titus there to set things in order and to ordain elders in every city. The Cretans had gained an unenviable notoriety for untruthfulness.

Cyprus

Acts 4:36; 11:19; 15:39; 21:3,16; 27:4³⁶And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, (Acts 4:36)
¹⁹Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. (Acts 11:19)
³⁹And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; (Acts 15:39)
³Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. (Acts 21:3)
¹⁶There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. (Acts 21:16)
⁴And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. (Acts 27:4).-An extensive island at the east end of the Mediterranean: the ‘Chittim' of the Old Testament. When the church was scattered abroad at the persecution respecting Stephen, some went to Cyprus. Paul himself labored there. It is remarkable as having belonged to the nations of Greece, Persia, Rome, Egypt, and being now under the government of England.

Cyrene

Matt. 27:32³²And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. (Matthew 27:32); Acts 2:10; 11:20; 13:1¹⁰Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 2:10)
²⁰And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. (Acts 11:20)
¹Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1).-A Greek city on the north coast of Africa, nearly opposite to Crete. Many Jews resided there, and some from thence were in Jerusalem at Pentecost; and the Cyrenians had a synagogue also in the city.

Dalmanutha.

By comparing Mark 8:10¹⁰And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. (Mark 8:10) with Matt. 15:39³⁹And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. (Matthew 15:39) it appears that the 'borders of Magdala' (or 'Magadan' as some MSS. read) and the 'parts of Dalmanutha' were either the same district or very close to each other, on the west side of the lake. Dalmanutha is supposed to lie a little south of Magdala.

Dalmatia

2 Tim. 4:10¹⁰For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10).-A mountainous district in Illyricum, on the east coast of the Adriatic, visited by Titus. Paul had preached in Illyricum: Rom. 15:19¹⁹Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19).

Damascus.

A city in or just outside the northern extremity of Palestine, 33° 30 N. It is mentioned as early as Gen. 15:2²And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? (Genesis 15:2), and became a place of extensive commerce. In the N. T. it is of interest in connection with Paul's conversion, and as being the place where he first preached: Acts 9²And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. (Acts 9:2).; 22:5-11; 26: 12, 20; 2 Cor. 11:32³²In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: (2 Corinthians 11:32) Gal. 1:17¹⁷Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. (Galatians 1:17). Damascus has still a long and wide thoroughfare that may well have been called ‘Straight Street,' Acts 9:11¹¹And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9:11), now called 'Street of Bazaars.' It is still a large city of some 210,000 inhabitants, of which 180,000 are Mohammedans: the poverty of the Christians and Jews is great. Its natural beauties are sadly contrasted with the dirt and contamination usual in a Turkish city. A railway from Acre (Akka) to Damascus has been projected.

Decapolis,

district of 'ten cities,'Matt. 4:25²⁵And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan. (Matthew 4:25); Mark 5:20; 7:31²⁰And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. (Mark 5:20)
³¹And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. (Mark 7:31). -A district in Syria, the limits of which are unknown; the ten cities are held to be Canatha, Hippos, Abila, Gadara, Capitolias, Dium, Pella, Gerasa, Philadelphia, on the east, and Scythopolis on the west of the Jordan. (See map illustrating the Journeyings of Christ.)

Derbe

Acts 14:6, 20; 16:1⁶They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: (Acts 14:6)
²⁰Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. (Acts 14:20)
¹Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: (Acts 16:1).-A city in the plain of Lycaonia, near Lystra in Asia Minor.

Egypt.

The well-known country on the north of Africa. It, is principally referred to in the N. T. as the place where Israel was in bondage. When Herod was seeking the life of Jesus He was carried into Egypt, and thence He was called, as was Israel, as God's Son: Matt. 2:13-19¹³And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. ¹⁴When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: ¹⁵And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. ¹⁶Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. ¹⁷Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, ¹⁸In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. ¹⁹But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, (Matthew 2:13‑19). In Rev. 11:8⁸And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8) Jerusalem is called spiritually, Sodom and Egypt.

Emmaus

Luke 24:13¹³And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. (Luke 24:13).-A village about 7½ miles from Jerusalem, but in what direction is not known. It was the village to which the Lord walked in company with two of his disciples, from whose sight He vanished after breaking the bread.

Ephesus

Acts 18:19, 21, 24; 19:1, 17, 26; 20:16, 17¹⁹And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. (Acts 18:19)
²¹But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. (Acts 18:21)
²⁴And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. (Acts 18:24)
¹And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (Acts 19:1)
¹⁷And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. (Acts 19:17)
²⁶Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: (Acts 19:26)
¹⁶For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. ¹⁷And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (Acts 20:16‑17); 1 Cor. 15:32; 16:8³²If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. (1 Corinthians 15:32)
⁸But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. (1 Corinthians 16:8); Eph. 1:1¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 1:1); 1 Tim. 1:3; 2³As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:3)
³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (1 Timothy 2:3) Tim. 1:18; 4:12; Rev. 1:11; 2:1¹¹Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)
¹Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 2:1). -The capital of proconsular Asia, a large and luxurious city lying near the sea on the west of Asia Minor, renowned for its commerce, and its heathen temple which drew many pilgrims to the place. In the Revelation Ephesus is the first named of the seven churches in Asia. 1 There is now, besides extensive ruins and a railway station, only a wretched Turkish village, called Ayasolook.

Ephraim

John 11:54⁵⁴Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. (John 11:54).-A city near to the wilderness, to which the Lord retired when they sought his life after the raising of Lazarus. It is probably Taiyibeh, about 17 miles N.N.E. of Jerusalem on the mountains.

Euphrates

Rev. 9:14¹⁴Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. (Revelation 9:14).; 16:12.-The well-known river on which the city of Babylon was built; it formed the boundary that separated the nations of the East from the promised land. It has two sources in the far north, which unite and form a broad and deep river; it runs nearly south, and is eventually joined by the river Tigris, and empties itself into the Persian Gulf.

Fair Havens

Acts 27:8⁸And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. (Acts 27:8).-A harbor on the south of Crete. It is shut in on the west by a bold headland, and on the south it is sheltered by an island, forming thus a safe anchorage; but being open to the east it is 'incommodious' to winter in.

Gabbatha.

John 19:13¹³When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. (John 19:13).-the Hebrew Name of the Place of Judgment at Jerusalem, Called the Pavement (Probably Tessellated), Because It Was Paved With Stones, As the Greek Word Implies; but the Hebrew Word Signifies 'High or Elevated.'

Galatia

Acts 16:6; 18:23⁶Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, (Acts 16:6)
²³And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. (Acts 18:23); 1 Cor. 16.; Gal. 1:2²And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: (Galatians 1:2); 2 Tim. 4:10; 1¹⁰For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)
¹⁰But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:10) Peter 1:1.‒A central province in Asia Minor, having Bithynia on the north, and Lycaonia on the south. The district was not always of the same extent: Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia may have formed part of Galatia in the time of the Acts. Paul speaks of ‘the churches' of Galatia, but where these assemblies were situated is not known.

Galilee.-

A large district towards the north of Palestine on the west of the Jordan and the lake, having Samaria on its south. After the captivity, many from various nations settled in Galilee, which accounts for its being called 'Galilee of the Gentiles,' Matt. 4:15¹⁵The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; (Matthew 4:15); though many Jews were there also. In Galilee much of the time of the Lord's ministry was spent, Matt. 4:23²³And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23); Mark 1:39³⁹And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. (Mark 1:39); and there many of His miracles were performed, which called forth the doom of those that rejected Him. Galilee had many towns and villages, and was thickly populated.

Gaza

Acts 8:26²⁶And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. (Acts 8:26).-A village situated near the Mediterranean, about 31° 30' N., now called Ghuzzeh. Water may still be seen near the road in the neighborhood of which the Ethiopian was baptized: it is a district 'without villages or fixed habitation.'

Gennesaret, Lake of; Sea of Galilee; Sea of Tiberias.-

See description in “Physical features of Palestine”.

Gennesaret, Land of

Matt. 14:34³⁴And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. (Matthew 14:34); Mark 6:53⁵³And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. (Mark 6:53) -A district of Galilee, lying to the N.W. of the Lake, a most fertile plain of about a mile wide, and three miles long. Springs run through it into the lake.

Gethsemane

Matt. 26:36³⁶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. (Matthew 26:36); Mark 14:32³²And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. (Mark 14:32).-A garden on the slope of the Mount of Olives, to which our Lord often resorted with His disciples. The brook Cedron had to be crossed to reach the spot from Jerusalem. It was the place of the Lord's agony, where He was exceeding sorrowful even unto death,' His agony ' being such that the ground was moistened with His sweat as drops of blood! Here He was betrayed and taken prisoner. An enclosed space, in which are eight old olive trees, is shown to travelers as the garden of Gethsemane; but there is no certainty that this is the right spot. Titus cut down all the trees round Jerusalem at its siege.

Golgotha.

See article on Jerusalem, after article “The division of Time”.

Gomorrha.

See Sodom.

Greece

Acts 20:2²And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, (Acts 20:2).-See Achaia.

Hierapolis

Col. 4:13¹³For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:13).-A city near to Colosse and Laodicea in Asia Minor. It is now called Pambouk Kalesi, in which there are many ruins.

Iconium

Acts 13:51; 14:1, 19, 21; 16:2⁵¹But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. (Acts 13:51)
¹And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. (Acts 14:1)
¹⁹And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. (Acts 14:19)
²¹And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, (Acts 14:21)
²Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. (Acts 16:2); 2 Tim. 3:11¹¹Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Timothy 3:11)-A large city in Lycaonia, Asia Minor. Most of the cities in Asia were inhabited by Jews and Gentiles, and here a great number of Jews and Greeks believed, resulting in an assembly being gathered. It is now called Konieh, a town of considerable extent.

Idumזa

Mark 3:8⁸And from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. (Mark 3:8).-The same as Edom: a large district on the south of Judaea. Some from thence were in Jerusalem at the Pentecost.

Illyricum

Rom. 15:19¹⁹Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19).-A district along the N.E. of the Adriatic, visited by Paul.

Italy

Acts 18:2; 27:1, 6²And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. (Acts 18:2)
¹And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. (Acts 27:1)
⁶And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. (Acts 27:6); Heb. 13:24²⁴Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. (Hebrews 13:24).-The well-known European country of which Rome is the capital. In the Acts it is used as if synonymous with Rome. The passage in Hebrews does not necessarily imply that the epistle was written in Rome: it is better translated, 'They from Italy salute you.'

Iturזa

Jericho

Matt. 20:29²⁹And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. (Matthew 20:29); Mark 10:46⁴⁶And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway side begging. (Mark 10:46); Luke 10:30; 18:35; 19:1³⁰And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. (Luke 10:30)
³⁵And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: (Luke 18:35)
¹And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. (Luke 19:1); Heb. 11:30³⁰By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. (Hebrews 11:30).-A city about fifteen miles N.E. of Jerusalem, and five miles from the Jordan. In N. T. times, after having been burnt down, it was restored with great splendor by Archelaus. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho is still at times unsafe. It is some 1,800 feet below Jerusalem, being a more or less steep descent all the way. The miserable village of Riha is sometimes called Jericho; but this is a mile and a half from where ancient Jericho is believed to have stood.

Jerusalem.

See article on Jerusalem, after article “The division of Time”.

Jewry

Luke 23:5⁵And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. (Luke 23:5); John 7:1¹After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. (John 7:1).-Merely another, and an incorrect name for Judaea.

Joppa

Acts 9:36; 11:13³⁶Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. (Acts 9:36)
¹³And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; (Acts 11:13).-A sea-port town in the Mediterranean, N.W. of Jerusalem; it is the nearest port to that city, but has no safe landing place. This is where Peter had the vision of the sheet from heaven, to prepare him for visiting Cornelius. Its population is about 5,000, of which 1,000 are nominal Christians. Its modern name is Yaffa or Jaffa. A railway now runs from Jaffa to Jerusalem.

Jordan.

See Physical Features of Palestinejuda

Matt. 2:6⁶And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. (Matthew 2:6); Luke 1:39³⁹And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; (Luke 1:39).-The part of Palestine allotted to Judah.

Judזa.

The province containing all the country south of Galilee and west of the Jordan, John 4:3, 47, 54³He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. (John 4:3)
⁴⁷When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. (John 4:47)
⁵⁴This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee. (John 4:54), &c. In some passages the name has a wider meaning; in Matt. 19:1¹And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea beyond Jordan; (Matthew 19:1) it includes the east of the Jordan, and in Luke 1:5⁵There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (Luke 1:5), where Herod is called 'king of Judaea,' it signifies the whole of Palestine.

Laodicea

Col. 2:1; 4:13, 15, 16¹For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (Colossians 2:1)
¹³For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:13)
¹⁵Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. ¹⁶And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. (Colossians 4:15‑16); Rev. 1:11; 3:14¹¹Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)
¹⁴And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14).-In Phrygia, or Caria, in the west of Asia Minor. It was formally called Diospolis, but was re-built by Antiochus Theos, and named after his wife Laodice. It was completely destroyed by an earthquake, but the inhabitants were wealthy enough to rebuild the city, without asking aid from the state: cf. Rev. 3:17¹⁷Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17). A traveler says: "Nothing can exceed the desolation and melancholy appearance of the site of Laodicea." A village among the extensive ruins is named Eski-hissar. See Ephesus, note.

Lasea

Acts 27:8⁸And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. (Acts 27:8).-A city of Crete, near the port of 'the Fair Havens.' Some ruins still bear the name.

Libya

Acts 2:1¹And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1).-The north-west of Africa, adjoining Egypt.

Libya

Acts 14:6, 11⁶They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: (Acts 14:6)
¹¹And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. (Acts 14:11).-A district in Asia Minor, lying between Cappadocia and Pisidia, Galatia and Cilicia. Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe were its principal towns. The crowds spoke in the provincial Greek dialect of the place.

Lycia

Acts 27:5⁵And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. (Acts 27:5).-A small district in the south of Asia Minor, on the Mediterranean, Long. 30° E. Myra was its capital.

Lydda

Acts 9:32-38³²And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. ³³And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. ³⁴And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. ³⁵And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. ³⁶Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. ³⁷And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. ³⁸And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. (Acts 9:32‑38).-In the plains of Sharon, twelve miles from Joppa, on the south-east. Here Peter cured ֶneas of the palsy. In the fourth century it had its bishop, and there are still the remains of a church. The name is the same as the Hebrew Lod, and the present village is called Lud.

Lystra

Acts 14:6, 8, 21; 16:1, 2⁶They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: (Acts 14:6)
⁸And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: (Acts 14:8)
²¹And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, (Acts 14:21)
¹Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: ²Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. (Acts 16:1‑2); 2 Tim. 3:11¹¹Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Timothy 3:11).-A city, near Derbe, in Lycaonia in Asia Minor. It was here that the heathen wished to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, but afterward, being influenced by the Jews, they stoned Paul and left him for dead.

Macedonia

Acts 16:9⁹And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. (Acts 16:9).; Rom. 15:26²⁶For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. (Romans 15:26); 2 Cor. 1:16; 2:13; 8:1¹⁶And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judea. (2 Corinthians 1:16)
¹³I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 2:13)
¹Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2 Corinthians 8:1); Thess. 4:10; 1 Tim. 1:3³As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:3), &c.-The northern part of Greece, from whence sprang the third great empire of Daniel. It was the first district in Europe in which the gospel was preached by Paul.

Madian, Land of

Acts 7:29²⁹Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons. (Acts 7:29).-The same as Midian, named after the fourth son of Abraham by Keturah. His descendants are supposed to have dwelt on the eastern border of Edom, but were not stationary, being nomads.

Magdala

Matt. 15:39³⁹And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. (Matthew 15:39).-On the west of the Lake of Gennesaret, a little north of its center. It is memorable on account of Mary Magdalene, or 'of Magdala.' It now consists of about 20 huts, and is called Mejdel.

Mar's Hill-See Areopagus.

Melita

Acts 28:1¹And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. (Acts 28:1).-The well known island in the Mediterranean, where Paul was shipwrecked, now called Malta.

Mesopotamia

Acts 2:9; 7:2⁹Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (Acts 2:9)
²And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, (Acts 7:2).-The region lying between the rivers Euphrates and the Tigris. It is where Nahor and Abraham lived, and from whence Jews came to the feasts at Jerusalem in the days of the apostles. It was merged in the Babylonian Empire.

Miletum, Miletus

Acts 20:15, 17¹⁵And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. (Acts 20:15)
¹⁷And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17); 2 Tim. 4:20²⁰Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (2 Timothy 4:20).-A city in the S.W. of Asia Minor, about 36 miles south of Ephesus, near the seacoast. It was here that Paul held the important interview with the Ephesian elders.

Mitylene

Acts 20:4⁴And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 20:4).-The chief city of Lesbos, an island in the ֶgean Sea, near Pergamos.

Nain

Luke 7:11¹¹And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. (Luke 7:11).-In Galilee, some 8 miles south by east of Nazareth. The approach to the place is by a steep ascent from the plain of Esdraelon; rocks and sepulchers abound in the vicinity. It is where Jesus raised to life the widow's son. It is now a small hamlet of about 20 houses, and is called Nein.

Nazareth

Matt. 2:23²³And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:23); Mark 1:9⁹And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. (Mark 1:9); Luke 2:39, 51³⁹And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (Luke 2:39)
⁵¹And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (Luke 2:51); John 1:46⁴⁶And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (John 1:46); Acts 2:22²²Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Acts 2:22), &c. -A town in Galilee, lying 6 miles west of mount Tabor. Though on a mountain it is surrounded by hills, which shelter it from the bleak winds. It was here that Joseph and Mary took up their abode on their return from Egypt, and where the Lord probably spent the earlier years of His life. The place was despised by the Jews, which led Nathanael to ask, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" and to the Lord being called a Nazarene, as an inhabitant of Nazareth. Acts 24:5⁵For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: (Acts 24:5) shows that the term ‘Nazarene' was applied to the early Christians, and indeed to this day in Palestine Christians are often called Nazarenes. Travelers say it is easy to find the hill, headlong down which the inhabitants sought to cast the Lord, when He spoke to them of grace having gone forth to the Gentiles, Luke 4:29²⁹And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. (Luke 4:29). Nazareth is now called en-Nasirah, and has between 3,000 and 4,000 inhabitants. On the hill-side is a famous spring called the 'Fountain of the Virgin,' and there is but little doubt that at this fountain nearly two thousand years ago might have been seen the mother of the Lord with her pitcher, as the women of the place may now be seen at the close of the day.

Neapolis

Acts 16:11¹¹Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; (Acts 16:11)-The seaport of Philippi, where Paul first landed in Europe. It is now called Kavala, on the coast of Roumelia. It has a population of about 5,000, mostly Moslems.

Nephthalim.

See ZABULON.

Nicopolis,

‘City of Victory,'Titus 3:12¹²When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. (Titus 3:12).-There Were Several Places of This Name; but the One Alluded to Is Supposed to Be Situated in the Epirus, South-West of Macedonia. Paul Had Determined to Winter at This Place.

Nineve

Matt. 12:41⁴¹The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. (Matthew 12:41); Luke 11:30, 32³⁰For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. (Luke 11:30)
³²The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. (Luke 11:32).-The Nineveh of the Old Testament, the capital of the Assyrian empire, situate on the Tigris, about 36° 20 N. The Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah, and they will rise up in judgment against the inhabitants of Palestine, who did not repent at the preaching and miracles of the Lord. Nineveh sinned afterward, and was destroyed, Ezek. 31¹⁴Then will I make their waters deep, and cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 32:14).; Zeph. 2:13-15¹³And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness. ¹⁴And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. ¹⁵This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand. (Zephaniah 2:13‑15). Its ruins are extensive, and many ancient monuments have been discovered, and are in the European museums.

Pamphylia

Acts 2:10; 13:13; 14:24; 15:38; 27:5¹⁰Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 2:10)
¹³Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13)
²⁴And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. (Acts 14:24)
³⁸But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. (Acts 15:38)
⁵And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. (Acts 27:5) A district in Asia Minor visited by Paul. It lies on the south coast, with Cilicia on the, east, and Lycia on the west.

Paphos

Acts 13:6, 13⁶And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: (Acts 13:6)
¹³Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13).-A city on the west coast of Cyprus. It was here that Paul condemned Elymas, who sought to prevent Sergius Paulus from listening to him.

Patara

Acts 21:1¹And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: (Acts 21:1).-A seaport in Lycia, lying to the east of Rhodes, from whence Paul on his third missionary journey sailed to Phœnice.

Patmos

Rev. 1:9⁹I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9).-The island to which the apostle John was banished, by Domitian as is supposed. It is a rocky island in the a ֶgean Sea, near Samos. There is a town half an hour's climb from the harbor, with 4,000 or 5,000 Greek inhabitants. The island is now called Patino.

Perga

Acts 13:13, 14; 14:25¹³Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. ¹⁴But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. (Acts 13:13‑14)
²⁵And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: (Acts 14:25).-An ancient town of Pamphylia, situate on the river Cestrus. It was twice visited by Paul. Extensive ruins of the city remain.

Pergamos

Rev. 1:11; 2:12¹¹Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)
¹²And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; (Revelation 2:12).-An ancient city of Mysia, in the N.W. of Asia Minor. The city is still of some importance, with a population of about 14,000, of which 3,000 are nominal Christians. See Ephesus, note.

Phenice

Acts 27:12¹²And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. (Acts 27:12).-A town and harbor in Crete. The vessel in which Paul sailed was attempting to reach this harbor when it was caught by the wind and wrecked. The Authorized Version says the haven "lieth toward the S.W. and N.W.;" but the expression is now held to mean that it "looks towards the N.E. and S.E." It has been identified with the modern Lutro. This harbor is described as being open to the east, but a small island lies almost in front of it; it has thus two entrances, one looking to the N.E., and the other to S.E. See also under Phœnicia.

Philadelphia

Rev. 1:11; 3:7¹¹Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)
⁷And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7).-A city in Lydia, in the west of Asia Minor. It was built by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamos. It has several times been more or less destroyed by earthquakes. It is still a considerable town, named Ala-Shehr. See Ephesus, note.

Philippi

Acts 16:12; 20:6¹²And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. (Acts 16:12)
⁶And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Acts 20:6); Phil. 1:1¹Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Philippians 1:1); 1 Thess. 2:2²But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. (1 Thessalonians 2:2).-A noted city of Macedonia, named after Philip, the father of Alexander the Great. It was a Roman military colony. Here Lydia was converted, and the jailor and his house. The word was so effectual that an assembly was gathered, the first in Europe, and an epistle was written to the saints there. It was called the chief (or rather first) city, not of Macedonia as a whole, but of that part of Macedonia. Extensive ruins are now all that are left of the city.

Phœnicia, Phenice, Phenicia

Acts 11:19;15:3; 21:2¹⁹Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. (Acts 11:19)
³And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. (Acts 15:3)
²And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. (Acts 21:2). Phœnice proper was a narrow strip of land on the Mediterranean. extending S. of Tire and N. of Sidon, but afterward extended far north, and was there much wider.

Phrygia

Acts 2:10; 16:6; 18:21¹⁰Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 2:10)
⁶Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, (Acts 16:6)
²¹But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. (Acts 18:21).-A large district in the center of Asia Minor, having Bithynia on the north, and Pisidia on the south; but its extent varied at different times. Jews from this district were at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and Paul twice traversed the plain in his missionary journeys.

Pisidia

Acts 13:14; 14:24¹⁴But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. (Acts 13:14)
²⁴And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. (Acts 14:24).-A comparatively narrow district in Asia Minor, between Phrygia and Pamphylia. It is a mountainous country, and was inhabited by a wild and lawless people, who were never thoroughly subdued by either the Greeks or the Romans. It was twice visited by Paul, and it may have been here that he experienced the 'perils of robbers,' of which he speaks.

Pontus

Acts 2:9; 18:2⁹Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (Acts 2:9)
²And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. (Acts 18:2); 1 Peter 1:1¹Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1).‒The N.E. district of Asia Minor, forming part of the coast of the Euxine Sea. Jews from thence were at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and some were addressed as believers by Peter in his first Epistle. It was made a Roman province under Nero.

Ptolemais

Acts 21:7⁷And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. (Acts 21:7).-A maritime town in Palestine 32° 55 N. Its name was Accho, but was changed by the Ptolemies. Napoleon called it the key of Palestine, and it has been the scene of several sieges. It is now called Acre or Akka.

Puteoli

Acts 28:13¹³And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: (Acts 28:13).-A port in Italy on the N.E. of the Bay of Naples, and where Paul landed on his way to Rome. The city was sacked by Alaric and Genseric, and never recovered.

Rama

Matt. 2:18¹⁸In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. (Matthew 2:18).-Called in Jer. 31:15¹⁵Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. (Jeremiah 31:15) Ramah -Rachel was the mother of Benjamin, and Ramah was a town in Benjamin; but the children to be killed were in Bethlehem of Judah: still the two tribes were so united that the passage represents Rachel weeping for her children. In Jeremiah the weeping appears to be for the children of Ephraim; Rachel being the grandmother of Ephraim, they can also be called her children. Rama is identified with Er-Ram, about 5½ miles north of Jerusalem.

Red Sea

Acts 7:36³⁶He brought them out, after that he had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. (Acts 7:36); Heb. 11:29²⁹By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (Hebrews 11:29).-The well-known sea on the east of northern Africa. Its southern extremity opens into the Indian Ocean, and from thence it runs N.N.W. for about 1,400 miles. Near its northern extremity it divides into the Gulf of Suez on the west, in length about 200 miles, and the Gulf of Akaba to the east, 140 miles long. It was, as far as is known, the Gulf of Suez that the Israelites crossed, near its northern extremity.

Rhegium.

Acts 28:13¹³And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: (Acts 28:13).A city on the coast of Italy, near its S.W. extremity. Paul's ship waited there one day for a favorable wind. The place is now called Reggio, and is the capital of Calabria.

Rhodes

Acts 21:1¹And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: (Acts 21:1).-An island lying near the S.W. corner of Asia Minor: once a place of renown, but from wars and other causes is reduced to poverty, as other places under Turkish rule.

Rome

Acts 2:10; 18:2; 23:11; 28:16¹⁰Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 2:10)
²And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. (Acts 18:2)
¹¹And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. (Acts 23:11)
¹⁶And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. (Acts 28:16); Rom. 1:7,15⁷To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)
¹⁵So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (Romans 1:15). The well known chief city of Italy. It is only mentioned in the N.T. by name as the seat of the Roman Empire, but is also referred to as the head of apostate Christendom: cf. Rev. 17¹⁵And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15).

Salamis

Acts 13:5⁵And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Acts 13:5).-A city on the S.E. of Cyprus. By synagogues (in the plural) being mentioned, there were doubtless many Jews living in the place when Paul and Barnabas visited it.

Salem

Heb. 7:1, 2¹For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; ²To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (Hebrews 7:1‑2).-Supposed by some to refer to Jerusalem, because of Psa. 76:2: cf. Gen. 14:18¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (Genesis 14:18).

Salim

John 3:23²³And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. (John 3:23).-See ֶnon.

Salmone

Acts 27:7⁷And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; (Acts 27:7).-The east point of the island of Crete.

Samaria

Some passages refer to the district, situate in the center of Palestine, through which travelers passed from Judזa to Galilee, Luke 17:11¹¹And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (Luke 17:11); John 4:4, 5⁴And he must needs go through Samaria. ⁵Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. (John 4:4‑5) Acts 1:8; 15:3⁸But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
³And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. (Acts 15:3), &c. In Acts 8:5, 9, 14⁵Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. (Acts 8:5)
⁹But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: (Acts 8:9)
¹⁴Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (Acts 8:14) the city of Samaria is spoken of. It was in the O.T. the capital of Israel after the division, 1 Kings 16:29²⁹And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. (1 Kings 16:29). It was rased to the ground by John Hyrcanus but was afterward rebuilt and enlarged by Herod, who called it Sebaste. This was the city visited by Philip. It is beautifully situated, about 6 miles north-west of Nablous, but is now only a miserable village, called Sebustiyeh, with many relics of its former grandeur.

Samos

Acts 20:15¹⁵And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. (Acts 20:15) -An island on the west coast of Asia Minor, near Ephesus.

Samothracia

Acts 16:11¹¹Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; (Acts 16:11).-A mountainous island at the extreme N.E. corner of the ֶgean Sea.

Sardis

Rev. 1:11; 3:1, 4¹¹Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)
¹And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)
⁴Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4).-Once the rich and chief city of Lydia (where Crsus was king) in the west of Asia Minor. In the thirteenth century it was destroyed, and now there is only a village with a few inhabitants. See Ephesus, note.

Sarepta

Luke 4:26²⁶But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. (Luke 4:26) (called in 1 Kings 17:9⁹Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. (1 Kings 17:9), Zarephath).-It was on or near the seashore in Phœnice, between Tire and Sidon. Its being a Gentile town gives point to the Lord's reference to it, A poor village on the hills is called Surafend, but the ruins are on the seashore.

Saron

Acts 9:35³⁵And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. (Acts 9:35) (same as the Plain of Sharon, 1 Chron. 27:29²⁹And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: (1 Chronicles 27:29), &c.)-A maritime district lying north of Jaffa.

Seleucia.

Acts 13:4⁴So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4).A seaport of Syria, in the north, near to Antioch, and where Paul and Barnabas landed on their first missionary journey. It is now all deserted.

Sidon

Matt. 11:21; 15:21²¹Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (Matthew 11:21)
²¹Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. (Matthew 15:21); Mark 3:8; 7:24⁸And from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. (Mark 3:8)
²⁴And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. (Mark 7:24); Luke 4:26; 6:17; 10:13²⁶But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. (Luke 4:26)
¹⁷And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; (Luke 6:17)
¹³Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. (Luke 10:13); Acts 12:20; 27: 3²⁰And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. (Acts 12:20) (called Zidon in the O.T.).-A port and city in Phœnice. It was of great renown in O.T. times, but was prophesied against by Jehovah. The place is still a green spot, and its fruits of the best quality.

Siloam

Pool of, John 9:7⁷And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. (John 9:7), it: See article on Jerusalem, after article “The division of Time”.

Siloamtower of

Luke 13:4⁴Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? (Luke 13:4).-This has not been identified.

Sion

Matt. 21:5⁵Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. (Matthew 21:5); John 12:15¹⁵Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. (John 12:15); Rom. 9:33; 11:26³³As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 9:33)
²⁶And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (Romans 11:26); Heb. 12:22²²But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (Hebrews 12:22); 1 Peter 2:6⁶Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1 Peter 2:6) Rev. 14:1¹And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1).-Same as Mount Zion of the O. T. It was evidently a part of Jerusalem, which was also called the city of David, and where he dwelt: 2 Sam. 5:7; 1⁷Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. (2 Samuel 5:7)
⁷And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. (2 Samuel 1:7) Chron. 11:7. The ark was afterward taken to the same place. From this connection it came to be typical of the place of blessing, and also of the Messiah's royal power on earth. It is not certain which part of Jerusalem was Mount Zion: it was probably on the S.W., communicating with the temple area by a bridge.

Sina, Sinai, Mount

Acts 7:30, 38³⁰And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. (Acts 7:30)
³⁸This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (Acts 7:38); Gal. 4:24, 25²⁴Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. ²⁵For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Galatians 4:24‑25).-In the O. T. Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb are closely associated; so Acts 7²⁵For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. (Acts 7:25). speaks of the angel of the Lord appearing to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush in the wilderness of Mount Sina; whereas Ex. 3:1¹Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. (Exodus 3:1) speaks of it as being on the mountain of God, even Horeb. A range of hills lies between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Akabah, which bears the names of Horeb and Sinai, the former embracing a larger range than the latter. In the Galatians it is used symbolically to point out the bondage of the law in contrast to the liberty of the children of God.

Smyrna

Rev. 1:11; 2:8¹¹Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)
⁸And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; (Revelation 2:8).-A renowned commercial city in the west of Asia Minor, about 40 miles north of Ephesus. Polycarp is called in history the first bishop of Smyrna: it is where he suffered martyrdom. Modern Smyrna is a large city of more than 180,000 inhabitants; many are attached to the Greek and Armenian churches. Steamers from Europe call there. See Ephesus, note.

Sodom, Sodoma

Matt. 10:15; 11:23 23¹⁵Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (Matthew 10:15); Mark 6:11¹¹And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (Mark 6:11); Luke 10:12; 17:29¹²But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. (Luke 10:12)
²⁹But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:29); Rom. 9:29²⁹And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. (Romans 9:29); 2 Peter 2. 6; Jude 7⁷Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7); Rev. 11:8⁸And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8).-Mostly associated with Gomorrah, cities of the plain, the destruction of which by direct judgment from heaven is recorded in Gen. 19⁸Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. (Genesis 19:8)., and is ever afterward held up as a warning to the wicked; and as pointing out that the rejecters of Christ and His gospel must look for an even more severe condemnation. In Revelation 11:8⁸And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8), Jerusalem, because of its grievous sins, is"spiritually called Sodom." The situation of the cities has not been traced, but they are supposed to have some association with the Dead Sea.

Spain

Rom. 15:24, 28²⁴Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. (Romans 15:24)
²⁸When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. (Romans 15:28).-The well-known country in Europe. Whether Paul visited Spain after his first imprisonment at Rome is not known: we have no detailed record of his latest movements.

Sychar

John 4:5⁵Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. (John 4:5).-A city of Samaria, "near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there." Its site has not been identified very clearly, but is associated by some with Sychem; but the Bordeaux Pilgrim, A.D. 333; speaks of Sichem as 1,000 paces from Sychar. Others place it at Askar.

Sychem

Acts 7:16¹⁶And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem. (Acts 7:16).-The Greek form of Shechem. This is now mostly identified with the modern Nablous, which contains a small Samaritan synagogue, and five mosques. About a mile and a half to the S.E. is what is said to be Jacob's well, and about a quarter of a mile to the north of this is the reputed Joseph's tomb. Near to Nablous are the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, on the latter of which the Samaritans still kill and eat the Passover, and there are ruins on a spot where it is supposed their temple stood: cf. John 4:20²⁰Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. (John 4:20).

Syracuse

Acts 28:12¹²And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. (Acts 28:12).-A renowned city on the east coast of Sicily. Paul spent three days there on his voyage to Rome.

Syria. Matt. 4:24²⁴And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. (Matthew 4:24); Acts 15:2341, &C.-It Is Named With Cilicia, and Associated With the Mission to the Gentiles. Syria Lies to the North of Palestine, With Mesopotamia on the East, and the Mediterranean Sea and Cilicia on the West; but the Word 'Syria' Is Used by the Romans As Including Palestine As Well As the Parts to the North.

Tarsus

Acts 9:11, 30; 11:25; 21:39; 22:3¹¹And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9:11)
³⁰Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. (Acts 9:30)
²⁵Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: (Acts 11:25)
³⁹But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. (Acts 21:39)
³I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. (Acts 22:3).-The capital of Cilicia in Asia Minor. It was "no mean city" of a Roman province. It was where Paul was born, and was at that time celebrated as a seat of learning. Paul visited Tarsus after his conversion, but we do not know the result. It has still some thousands of inhabitants.

Thessalonica

Acts 17:1, 11, 13; 27:2¹Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: (Acts 17:1)
¹¹These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
¹³But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. (Acts 17:13)
²And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. (Acts 27:2); Phil. 4:16¹⁶For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. (Philippians 4:16); 2 Tim. 4:10¹⁰For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10). A city in the S.E. of Macedonia. It was so named by Cassander, in honor of Thessalonica, the sister of Alexander the Great. It was visited by Paul on his second and third missionary journeys, and to the Thessalonians two epistles are addressed. It is now called Salonika, and, next to Constantinople, is one of the most important cities in European Turkey.

Thyatira

Acts 16:14¹⁴And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. (Acts 16:14); Rev. 1:11; 2:18, 24¹¹Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)
¹⁸And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; (Revelation 2:18)
²⁴But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. (Revelation 2:24).-Situated in Lydia in the west of Asia Minor, a day's journey S.E. of Pergamos. It is still a town called Ak-hissar, where are many ruins. See Ephesus, note.

Tiberias

John 6:1, 23¹After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. (John 6:1)
²³(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) (John 6:23).-A city on the west shore of the Lake of Gennesaret, a little south of the center. It was founded by Herod Antipas, and named after the emperor Tiberius (the lake sometimes being called by the same name). It became the capital of the province of Galilee. It was classed by the Jews, along with Jerusalem, Hebron, and Safed, as one of their four holy cities, renowned as seats of learned men. It is now called Tubariyeh, and has a population of about 3,000.

Trachonitis

Luke 3:1¹Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, (Luke 3:1).-The N.E. portion of the province of Philip, about 33° N., and 36° 30 E. It is now called El-Lejeh.

Troas

Acts 16:8, 11; 20:5, 6⁸And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. (Acts 16:8)
¹¹Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; (Acts 16:11)
⁵These going before tarried for us at Troas. ⁶And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Acts 20:5‑6); 2 Cor. 2:12; 2¹²Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, (2 Corinthians 2:12)
¹²Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, (2 Corinthians 2:12) Tim. 4:13.-On the coast of Mysia, a little south of 40° N., called on the map Alexandria Troas. It was the port from which Paul sailed when he first visited Europe. It is now called Eski-Stamboul, where are many ruins.

Trogyllium

Acts 20:15¹⁵And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. (Acts 20:15).-A town on the western coast of Asia Minor between Ephesus and Miletus in the זgean Sea.

Tire

Luke 6:17; 10:13, 14¹⁷And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; (Luke 6:17)
¹³Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. (Luke 10:13‑14); Acts 21:3, 7³Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. (Acts 21:3)
⁷And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. (Acts 21:7) (often associated with Sidon).-In O.T. times an ancient and renowned seaport in Phnice, about 33° 15' N. It was fearfully denounced by the prophets, and has suffered many sieges. A prophecy said, "I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.... thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord God," Ezek. 26:4, 21⁴And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. (Ezekiel 26:4)
²¹I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 26:21). All travelers tell of the complete destruction of old Tire. New Tire is represented by a miserable village: an earthquake has shattered the larger houses, and they are now deserted. Its name is now Sur or Soor.

Zabulon

Matt. 4:13, 15¹³And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (Matthew 4:13)
¹⁵The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; (Matthew 4:15).-The portion of the land given to the tribe of Zebulon. It extended from the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret nearly to the Mediterranean. It is associated with Nephthalim,2 which joined it on the north (both being in Galilee), as seeing a great light, fulfilled by the Lord dwelling in the neighborhood, visiting their synagogues, working miracles, and teaching the people.

1. The seven cities, after which the churches are named, all lie toward the west of Asia Minor. They are named in the order in which they may be said to be situated: beginning at Ephesus, proceed northward to Smyrna and Pergamos; then south-east to Thyatira, and proceeding southward takes in the rest. They lie far from Palestine, but near to Europe; and it is in the latter that God caused Christianity to take deeper root, whence it has spread throughout the world. As far as we know, Paul did not visit any of the seven churches except Ephesus. He remained there two years, and it is added, "so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks." (Acts 19:10¹⁰And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:10).) Ephesus being the capital of the district, was naturally visited by many from the other towns. Demetrius declared that throughout almost all Asia Paul had turned away much people from the worship of the gods.

2. Verse 15 is taken to mean that the light would shine beyond Jordan, which it did when the Lord crossed the Lake, and not that Nephthalim was situated beyond the Jordan: cf. Isa. 9:1, 2¹Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. ²The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:1‑2).

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