from (Ptolemy, after whom it was named); Ptolemais, a place in Palestine:--Ptolemais.
Transliteration:Ptolemaḯs
Pronunciation:ptol-em-ah-is'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word Πτολεμαΐς (Ptolemaΐs), transliterated as Ptolemaïs (`{{G4424}}`), refers to a specific geographical location in ancient Palestine. It is a proper noun, a city named after one of the Ptolemaic kings of Egypt, who ruled over the region during the Hellenistic period. Originally known as Acco (or Acre), it was renamed Ptolemais by Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-246 BCE). Its core meaning is therefore fixed as the identity of this particular city, which served as a significant port on the Mediterranean coast. Unlike many other biblical terms, its semantic range is narrow, denoting solely this one historical and geographical entity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The city of Ptolemais (`{{G4424}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* [[Acts 21:7]]: "When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day."
This verse describes a segment of the Apostle Paul's third missionary journey, as he was making his way from Asia Minor back to Jerusalem. After sailing from Tyre, Paul and his companions landed at Ptolemais. The mention of "the brothers" (ἀδελφοὺς) indicates the presence of an established Christian community in Ptolemais at this early stage of the church's expansion. This brief stop highlights the strategic importance of coastal cities as points of transit and centers for the burgeoning Christian faith. The fact that Paul "greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day" suggests a pre-existing network of believers and the hospitality extended within the early Christian community. The city served as a practical waypoint on a crucial journey, demonstrating the geographical scope of the apostolic mission.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun denoting a city, Ptolemais (`{{G4424}}`) does not have direct linguistic cognates in the same way that common nouns or verbs might. However, it is contextually related to several concepts and other geographical terms within the biblical narrative, particularly in the book of Acts:
* **Port Cities:** Ptolemais functions as a port city, linking it conceptually with other maritime hubs mentioned in the New Testament, such as Tyre, Sidon, Caesarea, and Myra, which were crucial for ancient travel and trade.
* **Travel and Missionary Journeys:** Its mention is intrinsically tied to the theme of apostolic travel and the spread of the Gospel across the Roman Empire. It is one of many locations that mark the itinerancy of Paul and his companions (cf. journeys described using words like `{{G3597}}` *hodos* for "way" or "journey").
* **Early Christian Communities:** The presence of "brothers" in Ptolemais connects it to the broader network of nascent Christian assemblies established throughout the Mediterranean world, underscoring the rapid growth and interconnectedness of the early church.
* **Hellenistic Influence:** The city's name itself reflects the historical period of Hellenistic dominance in the region, initiated by the conquests of Alexander the Great and continued by his successors, the Ptolemies and Seleucids. This historical context is vital for understanding the cultural and political backdrop of the New Testament era.
### Theological Significance
While Ptolemais (`{{G4424}}`) itself does not carry intrinsic theological meaning as a word, its inclusion in the biblical narrative holds several significant implications:
* **Divine Providence in Itinerant Ministry:** The mention of Ptolemais, even as a brief stop, underscores the meticulous detail with which the Holy Spirit guided the early apostles. Every leg of their journey, every city visited, contributed to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It highlights the practical logistics of missionary work, which were nonetheless under divine oversight.
* **The Global Reach of the Gospel:** As a prominent port city, Ptolemais represents a strategic location for the dissemination of the Gospel. The presence of Christian "brothers" there signifies that the message of Christ had already penetrated significant urban centers, demonstrating the fulfillment of the Great Commission to preach to all nations, reaching "to the ends of the earth" ([[Acts 1:8]]).
* **The Unity and Fellowship of the Early Church:** The act of greeting and staying with the brothers in Ptolemais illustrates the strong bonds of fellowship and hospitality that characterized the early Christian community. It speaks to the unity of believers across geographical distances, bound together by their common faith in Christ, a testament to the Spirit's work in forging a new people.
* **Historical Veracity of Scripture:** The precise geographical and historical details, such as the mention of Ptolemais, lend credibility to the biblical account, rooting the narrative of Acts firmly within the historical realities of the first century.
### Summary
Ptolemais (Πτολεμαΐς, `{{G4424}}`) is a specific proper noun referring to an ancient port city in Palestine, originally known as Acco, and renamed during the Hellenistic period under the Ptolemaic dynasty. Its sole appearance in the New Testament is in [[Acts 21:7]], where it is noted as a brief stop for the Apostle Paul during his third missionary journey. The presence of "brothers" in Ptolemais indicates an established Christian community, highlighting the strategic importance of port cities for the early spread of the Gospel and the interconnectedness of the nascent church. Theologically, its mention underscores God's providential guidance in apostolic missions, the global reach of the Gospel, and the profound fellowship among early believers, rooting the biblical narrative in verifiable historical and geographical contexts.
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