from λύσις and (trouble); grief-dispelling; Lysanias, a governor of Abilene:--Lysanias.
Transliteration:Lysanías
Pronunciation:loo-san-ee'-as
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek proper noun Λυσανίας (Lysanías), designated as Strong's `{{G3078}}`, is derived from the Greek word λύσις (lýsis, `{{G3080}}`), meaning "a loosing," "a release," or "dissolution," combined with a concept related to "trouble" or "grief." Etymologically, the name signifies "grief-dispelling" or "sorrow-releasing." As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to its specific referent, a historical figure. However, the etymological root provides insight into the common practice of naming in the ancient world, where names often carried inherent meaning or aspiration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Lysanias appears in the New Testament in a single, yet critically important, passage: [[Luke 3:1]]. In this verse, Luke meticulously sets the historical stage for the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry, and by extension, the public advent of Jesus Christ. Lysanias is identified as the tetrarch of Abilene, a region located northwest of Damascus. Luke's precise dating, "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar," alongside the naming of other contemporary rulers—Pontius Pilate (`{{G4091}}`) as governor of Judea, Herod (`{{G2264}}`) as tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip (`{{G5376}}`) as tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis—as well as the high priests Annas (`{{G458}}`) and Caiaphas (`{{G2533}}`), underscores the historical veracity and meticulous detail of the Gospel account. The inclusion of Lysanias, a figure whose rule over Abilene is corroborated by extrabiblical historical sources (e.g., inscriptions), highlights Luke's commitment to anchoring the divine narrative within verifiable human history. His mention serves primarily as a historical marker, contributing to the precise chronological framework within which God's redemptive plan unfolded.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is λύσις (lýsis, `{{G3080}}`), the root of Lysanias's name, which denotes "a loosing" or "release." While the name itself means "grief-dispelling," it does not directly apply to the individual Lysanias in the biblical narrative, as he is merely a historical reference point. However, the concept of "release" or "deliverance" is central to the Gospel message, which John the Baptist and Jesus proclaimed. The mention of various political and religious leaders in [[Luke 3:1]] collectively points to the comprehensive historical context that Luke provides. These include other proper nouns such as Pilate (`{{G4091}}`), Herod (`{{G2264}}`), Philip (`{{G5376}}`), Annas (`{{G458}}`), and Caiaphas (`{{G2533}}`). The careful enumeration of these figures demonstrates Luke's method of historical argumentation, grounding the spiritual events in the concrete realities of the ancient world.
### Theological Significance
While Lysanias himself holds no intrinsic theological significance as a character in the biblical narrative, his inclusion in [[Luke 3:1]] carries profound theological weight. Luke's meticulous historical dating, which includes Lysanias, serves to establish the objective reality and historical facticity of the events surrounding the advent of John the Baptist's ministry and the subsequent public ministry of Jesus Christ. The Gospel message is not presented as a myth or a mere spiritual allegory but as an account of divine intervention in human history, occurring at a specific time and place. This historical precision grounds the theological claims of the Gospel in verifiable reality, affirming that "the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness" ([[Luke 3:2]]) within a tangible historical context. It underscores the belief that God acts decisively within the stream of human events, validating the truth claims of the Christian faith.
### Summary
Lysanias (Λυσανίας, `{{G3078}}`), meaning "grief-dispelling," is a proper noun referring to the tetrarch of Abilene, mentioned solely in [[Luke 3:1]]. His inclusion is a testament to Luke's rigorous historical methodology, providing precise chronological and geographical markers for the beginning of John the Baptist's prophetic ministry. While Lysanias himself is not a figure of theological import, his presence in Luke's detailed historical introduction firmly roots the Gospel narrative in the verifiable realities of the Roman world. This historical grounding is crucial for the theological assertion that God's redemptive plan unfolded concretely within human history, affirming the objective truth of the Gospel message.
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