### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word `{{G3959}}` (Patara) is a proper noun, referring to a specific geographical location. Its base definition indicates it is "probably of foreign origin," designating "Patara, a place in Asia Minor." As a proper noun, `{{G3959}}` does not possess a broad semantic range in the typical sense of a common noun or verb. Its meaning is fixed to the identity of the city itself. Patara was a significant port city located in the ancient region of Lycia, on the southwest coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Its strategic location as a major harbor made it a vital hub for maritime trade and travel in the ancient world.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G3959}}` (Patara) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts:
* [[Acts 21:1-2]]: "And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail."
In this passage, Patara serves as a crucial transit point during the Apostle Paul's third missionary journey, as he makes his final voyage to Jerusalem. After an emotional farewell with the Ephesian elders at Miletus ([[Acts 20:17-38]]), Paul and his companions embark on a coastal journey. They sail past the islands of Cos and Rhodes, arriving at Patara. The significance of Patara here is purely logistical: it is where Paul and his company find a larger ship that is directly bound for Phoenicia, allowing them to continue their journey toward Jerusalem without further transfers. The text does not record any preaching, ministry, or specific events occurring *in* Patara itself, highlighting its role as a necessary waypoint in the divine itinerary of the Apostle.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun designating a specific city, `{{G3959}}` does not have direct synonyms or antonyms. However, it is contextually related to several key concepts and geographical terms pertinent to early Christian missions and the life of Paul:
* **Maritime Travel:** Patara's role as a port city connects it to the broader concept of sea voyages (`{{G4144}}` *plous*, `{{G3088}}` *loutron*) that were essential for the spread of the Gospel in the Roman Empire. Paul's journeys frequently involved sea travel, navigating the Mediterranean.
* **Asia Minor:** Patara is situated within Asia Minor, a region central to Paul's missionary endeavors, home to many of the churches he founded or visited (e.g., Ephesus, Colossae, Galatia).
* **Logistics of Mission:** The mention of Patara underscores the practical and logistical realities of apostolic ministry. Finding suitable ships and navigating travel routes were integral, though often unhighlighted, aspects of spreading the Christian message. Other port cities like Myra ([[Acts 27:5]]), Tyre ([[Acts 21:3-7]]), and Sidon ([[Acts 27:3]]) similarly served as points of embarkation or disembarkation.
* **Divine Providence:** The seemingly mundane act of finding a ship at Patara can be understood within the larger framework of God's providential guidance over Paul's movements, ensuring he reached Jerusalem according to God's plan.
### Theological Significance
While Patara itself is not the site of a miraculous event or a significant theological discourse, its mention in [[Acts 21:1-2]] carries subtle but profound theological significance within the narrative of Acts:
1. **Divine Orchestration of Mission:** The inclusion of Patara, a mere transit point, highlights the meticulous detail and providential oversight with which God guided Paul's missionary journeys. Every step, every stop, even the finding of a ship, was part of God's larger plan to bring the Gospel to the nations and ultimately to bring Paul to Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecy and God's purpose. It underscores that God works through ordinary means and geographical realities to achieve extraordinary spiritual ends.
2. **Global Scope of the Gospel:** The necessity of extensive travel, involving stops at various ports like Patara, emphasizes the inherently global and expansive nature of the early Christian mission. The Gospel was not confined to one locality but was destined to traverse lands and seas, reaching "the ends of the earth" ([[Acts 1:8]]). Patara, though a brief stop, is a testament to the vast distances covered by the apostles in their obedience to the Great Commission.
3. **The Humanity of Apostolic Ministry:** The account implicitly reminds us of the human effort and logistical challenges involved in Paul's ministry. Apostles were not merely spiritual vessels but also travelers who needed to arrange transport, find berths, and endure the rigors of ancient travel. Patara represents one of those practical moments in the life of a tireless missionary, revealing the full scope of his dedication.
### Summary
`{{G3959}}` (Patara) refers to an ancient and strategically important port city in Lycia, Asia Minor. Its single biblical appearance in [[Acts 21:1-2]] depicts it as a crucial logistical waypoint during the Apostle Paul's final journey to Jerusalem, where he transfers ships to continue his voyage. Though no specific ministry occurred there, Patara's inclusion in the narrative underscores the providential guidance of God in orchestrating Paul's movements, the global reach of the early Christian mission that necessitated extensive travel, and the practical realities of apostolic ministry. It serves as a subtle reminder that even seemingly mundane geographical details are part of God's grand design for the spread of His redemptive message.
TRV