The Greek word Pátara, represented by G3959, is the name of a place in Asia Minor. According to its base definition, the name is probably of foreign origin. This word appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, highlighting its specific role as a geographical marker in the biblical narrative.
The single appearance of G3959 is in Acts 21:1, where it is listed as a destination in a sea voyage. The narrative details a journey where the travelers came with a straight course to Coos G2972, arrived at Rhodes G4499 the following day, and continued from thence G2547 to Patara Acts 21:1. The mention of the city serves to chronicle a specific stop on an apostolic journey.
Several words from its only context help establish its setting as part of a journey:
- G2972 Kṓs (Cos): An island in the Mediterranean that was the first stop in the sequence of travel that led to Patara Acts 21:1.
- G4499 Rhódos (Rhodes): The second location mentioned, an island visited immediately before the travelers continued their journey to Patara Acts 21:1.
- G2113 euthydroméō (with a straight course): This verb describes the direct manner of sailing taken to reach the destinations on this route, including Patara Acts 21:1.
- G2547 kakeîthen (from thence): This adverb indicates the progression of the voyage, explicitly stating that the journey to Patara commenced from the previous stop at Rhodes Acts 21:1.
The significance of G3959 is entirely narrative and geographical rather than theological.
- Geographical Waypoint: Patara functions as a specific, named location that grounds the apostolic travelogue in real-world geography, providing a tangible setting for the events Acts 21:1.
- Progression of Mission: Its inclusion in a detailed itinerary illustrates the deliberate movement and progress of the apostolic mission as recorded in the book of Acts.
- Transitional Point: The arrival at Patara serves as a key transitional point in the voyage, marking the completion of one leg of the journey before the travelers continued onward.
In summary, G3959 Pátara is a place name whose biblical importance is derived solely from its single mention. It acts as a factual detail within a travel narrative, serving to map the course of an apostolic voyage. Its role is not to convey a theological concept but to add to the historical and geographical accuracy of the account in the book of Acts.
TRV