Λυκία

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word Lykía, represented by G3073, refers to Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, identifying a specific geographical location within the narrative of the early church's travels.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G3073 is mentioned in the context of Paul's journey to Rome. The account in Acts details the sea route, stating that after the travelers had "sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia" Acts 27:5. The term serves as a geographical marker, pinpointing the region where the ship made landfall after crossing a stretch of the Mediterranean Sea.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to establish the context of the journey to Lycia:

• G3460 Mýra (Myra, a place in Asia Minor): This word identifies the specific port city within the province of Lycia where the travelers arrived Acts 27:5.
• G2718 katérchomai (to come (or go) down): This verb describes the action of arriving or landing at Myra, thus marking the entrance into the region of Lycia Acts 27:5.
• G1277 diapléō (to sail through): This term details the voyage that preceded the arrival in Lycia, specifying that the ship had sailed through the waters off the coasts of G2791 Cilicia and G3828 Pamphylia Acts 27:5.

Theological Significance

The significance of G3073 is rooted in its function within the biblical record as a geographical anchor. It grounds the narrative in a real-world setting, providing a clear and verifiable detail of the journey.

• Narrative Landmark: The sole mention of Lycia serves to pinpoint a specific destination after a difficult sea voyage, giving precision to the travelogue in the book of Acts Acts 27:5.
• Geographical Context: By being named alongside G2791 Cilicia and G3828 Pamphylia, Lycia helps to form a map of the apostolic journeys, showing the movement through the provinces of Asia Minor.
• Setting for Action: The arrival in Lycia is not an endpoint but a waypoint. It is the location where the events of the journey continue, providing the setting for what happens next in the port of G3460 Myra.

Summary

In summary, G3073 Lykía is a precise geographical term for a province in Asia Minor. Its single appearance in Scripture is not for deep theological instruction but for historical and geographical clarity. It functions as a key landmark in Acts 27:5, documenting the arrival in the city of Myra and thereby adding a layer of historical detail to the record of Paul's voyage to Rome.