The Greek word Mitylḗnē, represented by G3412, refers to Mitylene, a town on the island of Lesbos. The name's base definition suggests a place "abounding in shellfish." It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, identifying a specific location in the narrative of the early church's travels.
In the biblical narrative, G3412 is used solely to mark a point in the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys. The account in Acts details the group's movements after leaving Assos, stating that after Paul met with his companions, "we took him in, and came to Mitylene" Acts 20:14. This mention serves as a geographical marker, establishing the route taken by Paul and his companions.
The context of Mitylene's single appearance is clarified by several surrounding words that describe the journey:
- G789 Ássos: This word, meaning "Assus, a city of Asia MInor," identifies the starting point of this leg of the journey where Paul's companions met him before sailing to Mitylene Acts 20:14.
- G2064 érchomai (to come or go): This verb describes the action of the group's travel, culminating in their arrival at the destination: "and came to Mitylene" Acts 20:14.
- G1519 eis (to or into): As a primary preposition indicating a point reached, it is used to show the destination of their travel, as in "came to Mitylene" Acts 20:14.
- G4820 symbállō (to... meet with): This verb describes how Paul reunited with the group at Assos just before they departed for Mitylene, "when he met with us" Acts 20:14.
The significance of G3412 is not found in abstract theology but in its role as a specific, verifiable detail within the biblical record. Its inclusion serves to ground the narrative of the apostles' work in real-world geography and history.
- Geographical Accuracy: By naming a known town like Mitylene, the account in Acts provides a historically grounded itinerary for Paul's journey, reinforcing the factual nature of the narrative Acts 20:14.
- Context for Apostolic Ministry: The mention of this stop, however brief, is part of the larger chronicle of Paul's travels. It highlights the physical reality and extensive nature of the effort to spread the gospel, which involved travel from one specific city to another.
In summary, G3412 Mitylḗnē is a geographical name rather than a conceptual term. Its single use in Scripture places it as a specific port of call on one of the Apostle Paul's journeys. While not bearing symbolic weight itself, its presence demonstrates the biblical text's commitment to recording historical and geographical details, anchoring the events of the early church in a tangible and verifiable setting.
TRV