of uncertain derivation; Myra, a place in Asia Minor:--Myra.
Transliteration:Mýra
Pronunciation:moo'-rah
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
Μύρα (`{{G3460}}`, Myra) is a proper noun, referring to a prominent ancient city located in Lycia, a region of Asia Minor. As a geographical designation, its core meaning is strictly denotative, identifying a specific location. The base definition indicates its derivation is "uncertain," precluding any deeper etymological exploration of the word itself. Its semantic range is therefore limited to its identity as a significant port city, particularly noted for its role in maritime trade routes of the Roman Empire.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The city of Myra (Μύρα) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Acts:
* [[Acts 27:5]]: "And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia."
This verse describes a crucial juncture in the apostle Paul's arduous journey to Rome as a prisoner. Having departed from Caesarea and sailed via Sidon, Paul and his companions, under the charge of the centurion Julius, arrived at Myra. It was at this port that the centurion found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and transferred Paul and the other prisoners onto it. Myra's mention is not incidental; it highlights a strategic transfer point in the ancient shipping lanes, particularly for large grain ships traveling from Egypt to Rome. The narrative precision underscores the historical reliability of Luke's account and the specific challenges of ancient sea travel.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a geographical location, Myra is related to other place names and concepts of travel and divine guidance:
* **Geographical Terms:** Other cities and regions mentioned in the context of Paul's journey in Acts 27, such as Cilicia, Pamphylia, Sidon, Fair Havens, Crete, Malta, Syracuse, Rhegium, Puteoli, and Rome. These collectively map out the itinerary of Paul's final voyage.
* **Maritime Travel:** Concepts related to ancient seafaring, including ships, ports, navigation, and the perils of sea voyages (e.g., storms, shipwrecks).
* **Imprisonment and Journey:** The broader themes of Paul's imprisonment and his divinely ordained journey to Rome to bear witness to Christ before Caesar. Myra represents one of the necessary waypoints in this providentially guided itinerary.
### Theological Significance
While Myra itself is not a site of specific theological discourse or miraculous events, its appearance in the biblical narrative carries significant theological weight, primarily concerning divine providence:
* **Divine Providence and Guidance:** Myra serves as a tangible point where God's sovereign hand is evident in guiding Paul's journey. Despite being a prisoner, Paul is being moved along a divinely ordained path that will ultimately lead him to bear witness in Rome. The transfer at Myra, though seemingly a mundane logistical detail, is part of a larger, meticulously orchestrated plan for the advancement of the gospel.
* **Historical Accuracy and God's Plan:** The mention of Myra, a well-known port for Alexandrian grain ships, reinforces the historical and geographical accuracy of Luke's account. This precision underscores the reality of God's involvement in human history, working through specific times, places, and circumstances to achieve His purposes.
* **Preparation for Ministry:** Myra is a necessary stop en route to Rome, where Paul is destined to testify before the highest authorities. It illustrates that even the seemingly ordinary or difficult stages of a journey can be instrumental in preparing and positioning God's servants for their ultimate calling.
### Summary
Myra (Μύρα, `{{G3460}}`) is a city in Lycia, Asia Minor, whose name's derivation is uncertain. It appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Acts 27:5]], as a crucial port where Paul, as a prisoner, was transferred to an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy during his final voyage to Rome. The significance of Myra is primarily geographical and historical, marking a pivotal point in Paul's journey. Theologically, Myra underscores the meticulous divine providence that guided Paul, even through imprisonment and perilous sea travel, to fulfill God's purpose of proclaiming the gospel in the heart of the Roman Empire. It stands as a testament to the truth that every detail, including a transfer point in a journey, can be part of God's sovereign and purposeful plan.
TRV