from δέκα and πόλις; the ten-city region; the Decapolis, a district in Syria:--Decapolis.
Transliteration:Dekápolis
Pronunciation:dek-ap'-ol-is
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term Δεκάπολις (Dekápolis, `{{G1179}}`) is a compound word derived from δέκα (deka, `{{G1176}}`), meaning "ten," and πόλις (polis, `{{G4172}}`), meaning "city." Thus, its literal translation is "Ten Cities." This name refers to a historical confederation of ten Hellenistic cities, primarily located east of the Jordan River in what is modern-day Jordan and Syria. While the precise list of cities varied over time, common members included Scythopolis (the only city west of the Jordan), Hippos, Gadara, Pella, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Dion, Canatha, Raphana, and Damascus. The Decapolis was a region characterized by its strong Greco-Roman cultural influence, standing distinct from the predominantly Jewish regions of Galilee and Judea. Its semantic range is purely geographical, denoting a specific district known for its urban centers and Hellenistic character.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Decapolis is mentioned three times in the Synoptic Gospels, always in connection with the ministry of Jesus:
* **[[Matthew 4:25]]**: "And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan." This verse appears early in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following the call of the first disciples and the summary of Jesus' healing ministry. The mention of the Decapolis here emphasizes the wide appeal and extensive reach of Jesus' early ministry, drawing followers from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds, including a predominantly Gentile region.
* **[[Mark 5:20]]**: "And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled." This verse describes the actions of the Gerasene demoniac after Jesus healed him. Despite Jesus' instruction to return home and tell his family what the Lord had done, the man goes further, proclaiming Jesus throughout the Decapolis. This narrative highlights Jesus' power over demonic forces and provides an early instance of a Gentile-leaning region hearing about Christ's miraculous works from a direct witness.
* **[[Mark 7:31]]**: "Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis." This passage describes Jesus' itinerary after healing the Syrophoenician woman's daughter. His route takes him through Gentile territories, including the Decapolis, before returning to Galilee. This journey underscores Jesus' willingness to traverse and minister in areas outside the traditional Jewish heartland, demonstrating a broader scope for his mission.
In each instance, the Decapolis serves as a geographical marker that signifies the expanding influence of Jesus' ministry beyond strictly Jewish confines, reaching into areas populated by Gentiles.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological components of Δεκάπολις are inherently related words:
* δέκα (deka, `{{G1176}}`): The cardinal number "ten," fundamental to the region's name.
* πόλις (polis, `{{G4172}}`): "City" or "town," indicating the urban nature of the confederation.
Other related concepts include:
* **Gentiles/Nations (ἔθνη, ethne, `{{G1484}}`)**: The Decapolis was culturally Hellenistic and largely Gentile, contrasting with the Jewish populations of Galilee and Judea. This distinction is crucial for understanding the universal scope of Jesus' ministry.
* **Hellenism**: The Greek cultural influence that permeated the cities of the Decapolis, including language, architecture, and social customs, distinct from traditional Jewish culture.
* **Specific Cities**: While not explicitly named in the biblical text when referring to the Decapolis, cities like Gadara (Γάδαρα, Gadara, `{{G1047}}`) and Gerasa (Γέρασα, Gerasa, `{{G1083}}`) were prominent members of the confederation and are mentioned elsewhere in the Gospels (e.g., the "country of the Gerasenes" in [[Mark 5:1]]).
### Theological Significance
The presence of the Decapolis in the Gospel narratives carries significant theological weight, primarily in illustrating the universal reach of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
* **Universal Mission**: Jesus' ministry in and around the Decapolis demonstrates that his saving work was not exclusively for the Jewish people but extended to the Gentiles. This foreshadows the Great Commission ([[Matthew 28:19]]) and the inclusion of all nations into the covenant of grace. The crowds from the Decapolis following Jesus (Matthew) and Jesus' journey through the region (Mark) both signify this expansive, boundary-crossing nature of the Messiah's mission.
* **Breaking Down Barriers**: By engaging with a region steeped in Hellenistic culture and largely populated by Gentiles, Jesus actively transcends ethnic and cultural barriers. This prefigures the New Testament emphasis on unity in Christ, where "there is neither Jew nor Gentile" ([[Galatians 3:28]]).
* **Early Gentile Witness**: The healed Gerasene demoniac's bold proclamation of Jesus throughout the Decapolis (Mark) serves as a powerful prototype for Gentile evangelism. This individual, once bound by evil, becomes a spontaneous missionary to his own people, effectively sowing seeds of the Gospel in a non-Jewish context. This act underscores the transformative power of Christ and the immediate call to witness, even before the formal establishment of the Church.
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: While not a direct fulfillment, the spread of the Messiah's fame into Gentile territories aligns with broader Old Testament prophetic themes concerning the nations coming to the light of Israel's God (e.g., [[Isaiah 49:6]], [[Zechariah 8:20-23]]).
### Summary
The term Δεκάπολις (Dekápolis, `{{G1179}}`) denotes a historical confederation of "Ten Cities," a region of distinct Greco-Roman culture situated predominantly east of the Jordan River. Its appearances in [[Matthew 4:25]], [[Mark 5:20]], and [[Mark 7:31]] are not merely geographical markers but carry profound theological implications. The presence of crowds from the Decapolis following Jesus, Jesus' deliberate travel through the region, and especially the Gerasene demoniac's subsequent proclamation of Christ there, all underscore the universal scope of Jesus' ministry. The Decapolis serves as a tangible symbol of the Gospel's reach beyond Jewish confines, prefiguring the inclusion of Gentiles into God's redemptive plan and highlighting the boundary-breaking nature of Christ's kingdom. It signifies an early witness to the nations, demonstrating that the Good News was intended for all humanity.
TRV