### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term G2484 (Ἰτουραΐα, Itouraΐa) is a proper geographical noun, designating a specific region in the ancient Near East. Its etymological root is traced directly to the Hebrew `{{H3195}}` (Yᵉṭûr), which refers to Jetur, one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, as recorded in [[Genesis 25:15]]. This linguistic connection indicates that the region of Ituræa was historically associated with or settled by the descendants of Jetur. As a proper noun, its semantic range is narrow and precise, referring exclusively to this particular territory rather than conveying a broader conceptual meaning. It functions as a geographical marker, grounding biblical narratives in concrete, identifiable locations.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G2484 appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 3:1]]: "Now 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 Ituræa and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene..."
In this singular occurrence, Ituræa is mentioned as part of a detailed historical and geographical framework provided by Luke at the commencement of John the Baptist's ministry. Philip, a son of Herod the Great, is identified as the tetrarch (a ruler of a fourth part of a region) over Ituræa and the neighboring region of Trachonitis. This places Ituræa generally to the northeast of the Sea of Galilee, a territory known for its rugged terrain and diverse population. Luke's meticulous citation of contemporary rulers and their respective domains, including Ituræa, serves to firmly anchor the unfolding sacred history within verifiable secular history, emphasizing the historicity and factual basis of the Gospel account.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to G2484 is its Hebrew progenitor, `{{H3195}}` (Yᵉṭûr), the ancestral figure from whom the region derived its name. This connection links Ituræa to the broader lineage of Ishmael and, by extension, to the descendants of Abraham through Hagar.
Contextually, Ituræa is linked to other geographical and political entities mentioned in [[Luke 3:1]]:
* **Geographical:** Judea, Galilee, Trachonitis, Abilene—all regions within the Roman provincial system in the Levant.
* **Political:** The titles "governor" (for Pontius Pilate) and "tetrarch" (for Herod, Philip, and Lysanias) highlight the administrative structure imposed by the Roman Empire, which directly impacted the lives of the people and the context of Jesus's ministry.
* **Historical Figures:** Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, Philip (the tetrarch), and Lysanias are all historical figures whose rule defined the political landscape of the time.
The inclusion of Ituræa alongside these well-known entities underscores the comprehensive and precise nature of Luke's historical introduction.
### Theological Significance
While Ituræa itself holds no inherent theological doctrine, its presence in the biblical text carries significant implications:
1. **Historicity of the Gospel Narrative:** The precise geographical and political details, including the mention of Ituræa, serve as a powerful testament to the historicity of the Gospel accounts. Luke's emphasis on verifiable historical markers (cf. [[Luke 1:1-4]]) grounds the divine narrative in the tangible realities of human history, affirming that God's redemptive plan unfolded not in myth or legend, but in a specific time and place.
2. **Divine Timing and Providence:** The dating of John the Baptist's ministry to the "fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar" and within the reign of various local rulers, including Philip's rule over Ituræa, underscores the concept of divine timing. God's plan for salvation is not arbitrary but unfolds according to His sovereign will within the continuum of human history, demonstrating His providential oversight even in the geopolitical landscape.
3. **Universal Scope of God's Kingdom:** Though Ituræa was a specific, geographically limited region, its mention alongside other territories, some of which were populated by non-Jews (as descendants of Ishmael), subtly hints at the expansive nature of God's future kingdom. The Gospel, beginning in Judea, would ultimately extend to "the ends of the earth" ([[Acts 1:8]]), encompassing all peoples and territories, including those like Ituræa.
### Summary
The Greek word G2484 (Itouraΐa) refers to a specific geographical region, deriving its name from the Hebrew `{{H3195}}` (Jetur), a son of Ishmael. Its sole appearance in the New Testament in [[Luke 3:1]] serves to provide a meticulous historical and geographical framework for the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry, placing it under the tetrarchy of Philip. The inclusion of Ituræa underscores the historicity and factual grounding of the Gospel narrative, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in unfolding His redemptive plan within concrete human history and subtly pointing to the universal reach of His kingdom beyond the immediate confines of Judea. It is a detail that grounds the sacred in the verifiable.
TRV