### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word Τραχωνῖτις (`{{G5139}}`, Trachōnîtis) is a proper noun, a geographical designation. Its etymology traces back to a derivative of τράχυς (trachys), meaning "rough," "rugged," or "harsh." Thus, the base definition of Trachōnîtis refers to a "rough district" or "rugged region." This suggests a landscape characterized by difficult terrain, likely featuring rocky outcrops, volcanic formations, or challenging topography, as opposed to fertile plains or smooth valleys. As a specific place name, its semantic range is narrow, exclusively identifying a particular area in ancient Syria.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Trachōnîtis (`{{G5139}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 3:1]]: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of Ituraea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene..."
This verse provides a crucial historical and geographical anchor for the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry. Luke, as a meticulous historian, situates the sacred narrative within a precise secular timeline, naming the reigning Roman emperor (Tiberius Caesar) and the various regional rulers (Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, Philip, Lysanias). Philip, one of the sons of Herod the Great, governed the territories of Ituraea and Trachonitis. This detail confirms the historical reality of the events described, demonstrating that the gospel message unfolded within a verifiable geopolitical landscape of the early first century CE. The inclusion of Trachōnîtis (`{{G5139}}`) highlights the extensive reach of Roman administration and the specific divisions of power in the Levant.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root τράχυς (trachys), from which Trachōnîtis (`{{G5139}}`) derives its meaning of "roughness." While Trachōnîtis is a proper noun, the underlying concept of "roughness" can be found in other Greek terms describing difficult terrain or challenging circumstances. Conceptually, it aligns with terms for wilderness or desert regions (e.g., ἔρημος, eremos, `{{G2048}}`), which often served as settings for divine encounters or periods of testing in biblical narratives. Furthermore, the mention of Trachōnîtis (`{{G5139}}`) in [[Luke 3:1]] places it within the broader context of Roman provincial administration and the system of client kings and tetrarchs, such as Herod and Philip.
### Theological Significance
As a specific geographical place, Trachōnîtis (`{{G5139}}`) does not carry inherent theological meaning in the same way that Jerusalem or Galilee might. Its significance is primarily historical and evidential. By meticulously listing the rulers and regions, Luke grounds the advent of John the Baptist and, subsequently, Jesus' ministry, in concrete, verifiable historical circumstances. This historical precision underscores the *reality* of the incarnation—that God entered human history at a specific time and in specific places. The fact that the divine narrative unfolds within the mundane political realities of the Roman Empire, even in a "rough district" like Trachonitis, emphasizes that God's redemptive plan is not a myth but a tangible event woven into the fabric of human history. It highlights the universality of the gospel, which began to be proclaimed not in an isolated vacuum, but within the established world order.
### Summary
Trachōnîtis (`{{G5139}}`) is a Greek proper noun, derived from the word for "rough," denoting a specific geographical region in ancient Syria known for its rugged terrain. It appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Luke 3:1]], where it is mentioned as part of the territory ruled by Philip, a tetrarch under Roman authority, at the time of John the Baptist's ministry. While Trachōnîtis itself holds no direct theological meaning, its inclusion serves as a vital historical anchor for the Gospel narrative, affirming the concrete and verifiable context of the biblical events. This historical precision underscores the reality of God's intervention in human history, demonstrating that the sacred narrative unfolded within the geopolitical realities of the Roman world.
TRV