### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ὅριον (`{{G3725}}`, *hórion*) is derived from a root signifying "a bound or limit." Its core meaning refers to a "boundary-line" or "frontier," indicating a precise demarcation between two territories. By implication, it can also refer to the region immediately adjacent to such a border, a "borderland" or "coast." This term emphasizes geographical separation and the defined extent of a particular area. It is consistently used in the New Testament to denote physical, topographical limits rather than abstract or conceptual boundaries.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ὅριον (`{{G3725}}`) appears predominantly in the Gospels, often describing the geographical movements of Jesus and his disciples. Its usage consistently highlights physical territories and their limits:
* In [[Matthew 15:21]] and [[Mark 7:24]], Jesus is described as withdrawing "into the borders of Tyre and Sidon." This signifies his entry into the region adjacent to, or the territory belonging to, these Gentile cities, demonstrating his willingness to minister beyond traditional Jewish boundaries.
* Similarly, [[Matthew 15:39]] mentions Jesus coming "into the coasts of Magadan," and [[Mark 8:10]] into "the parts of Dalmanutha." These refer to specific regions or districts, underscoring the precise geographical setting of his ministry.
* The directive given to the twelve disciples in [[Matthew 10:5]] to "go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not" uses ὅριον implicitly for the Samaritan territory, emphasizing the initial, limited scope of their mission to Israel.
* [[Mark 7:31]] describes Jesus departing from the "coasts of Tyre and Sidon" and coming "through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis." Here, ὅριον again denotes the border regions or territories of these Gentile areas.
* The term is also used to define the "borders of Judea beyond Jordan" in [[Matthew 19:1]] and [[Mark 10:1]], indicating a specific geographical region that Jesus entered on his way to Jerusalem.
In all these instances, ὅριον functions as a clear geographical marker, delineating territories and providing a concrete setting for the Gospel narratives.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of boundaries is central to understanding territory and identity in the ancient world.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** The Hebrew word for "border" or "boundary," `{{H1366}}` (*gevul*), shares a similar semantic range, frequently appearing in the Old Testament to describe tribal lands or national frontiers (e.g., [[Numbers 34:2]], [[Deuteronomy 19:14]]).
* **Greek Cognates and Synonyms:**
* The verb `{{G3724}}` (*horizō*), meaning "to define," "to determine," or "to set bounds," is directly related, indicating the act of establishing such limits.
* `{{G5561}}` (*chōra*), meaning "country" or "region," is a broader term, whereas ὅριον specifically refers to the edge or limit of such a region.
* `{{G5147}}` (*topos*), "place," is more general, lacking the specific connotation of a boundary.
* **Concepts:** The word ὅριον evokes concepts of demarcation, territoriality, jurisdiction, and the distinction between different peoples or regions. It speaks to the ordered nature of the physical world and the human societies within it.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὅριον (`{{G3725}}`) lies primarily in its role as a backdrop for understanding the scope and nature of God's redemptive work.
* **Divine Order:** While not directly used in theological statements about creation, the very existence of *horia* (boundaries) reflects a divinely ordered world where territories are distinct. This aligns with the concept that God "determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation" ([[Acts 17:26]]), even if a different Greek word is used there.
* **Missional Expansion:** Most significantly, Jesus' repeated movements *across* the *horia* into Gentile territories (e.g., Tyre and Sidon, Decapolis) are profoundly symbolic. They prefigure the universal scope of the Gospel and the breaking down of the "dividing wall of hostility" ([[Ephesians 2:14]]) between Jew and Gentile. Jesus' ministry transcends the traditional ethnic and religious boundaries of Israel, demonstrating that salvation is for all peoples.
* **Initial Focus and Subsequent Broadening:** The early instruction to the disciples to avoid Samaritan and Gentile *horia* ([[Matthew 10:5]]) highlights an initial, strategic focus on "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." However, Jesus' own actions and the later Great Commission ([[Matthew 28:19]]) ultimately supersede these geographical and ethnic limitations, emphasizing the global reach of the Christian mission.
### Summary
The Greek word ὅριον (`{{G3725}}`) denotes a "boundary-line" or "frontier region," consistently referring to physical, geographical limits in the New Testament. Primarily found in the Gospels, its occurrences delineate the specific territories where Jesus ministered, providing a concrete setting for the narratives. Theologically, ὅριον underscores the ordered nature of creation and, more profoundly, highlights the expansive and universal character of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' willingness to cross these geographical and ethnic boundaries prefigures the inclusion of Gentiles into the Kingdom of God, demonstrating that the Good News is not confined by human-made or traditional divisions.
TRV