### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word Abilēnḗ (Ἀβιληνή, `{{G9}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a geographical designation. Its base definition identifies it as a region of Syria. The etymological note, "of foreign origin (compare אָבֵל)," suggests a Semitic root, likely related to the Hebrew word אָבֵל (abel), which can mean "meadow" or "mourning," often found in place names such as Abel-beth-maachah or Abel-Mizraim. This etymological connection, while not directly defining the Greek term's meaning in the New Testament, points to the fertile nature of the region or a historical association. As a proper noun, its semantic range is fixed to its specific geographical referent, not encompassing broader conceptual meanings.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Abilēnḗ appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke. Its sole occurrence is found in [[Luke 3:1]]: "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene..."
This verse is critically important for Luke's meticulous historical dating of the beginning of John the Baptist's public ministry. Luke, as a careful historian, provides a precise chronological framework by listing various contemporary rulers and their respective territories. Lysanias is identified as the tetrarch (a regional ruler, often a client king under Roman authority) of Abilene. Historically, Abilene was a small territory located northwest of Damascus, in the Anti-Lebanon mountain range, near the sources of the Barada River. Its inclusion alongside more prominent regions like Judea and Galilee underscores Luke's commitment to historical accuracy and his desire to ground the events of the Gospel firmly within verifiable historical and geographical realities of the early 1st century CE.
### Related Words & Concepts
Abilēnḗ is contextually related to other geographical and political terms found in the New Testament that describe the administrative divisions of the Roman Empire and its client states in the Near East. These include:
* **Geographical Proper Nouns:** Terms like Galilee, Judea, Ituraea, Trachonitis, and Decapolis, which collectively delineate the political and geographical landscape of the region during the time of Jesus and John the Baptist.
* **Political Titles:** The mention of "tetrarch" links Abilēnḗ to the broader system of Roman governance, where local rulers like Lysanias held authority under the ultimate sovereignty of Rome.
* **Historical Context:** The word is inextricably linked to the socio-political environment of the early Roman Empire, the fragmented Herodian dynasty, and the specific historical moment preceding Jesus' public ministry.
* **Hebrew Etymology:** The note comparing Abilēnḗ to the Hebrew word אָבֵל (abel) highlights the linguistic interconnections between Greek and Semitic languages in the region, reflecting the cultural tapestry of the ancient Near East.
### Theological Significance
While Abilēnḗ itself does not convey an inherent theological meaning, its inclusion in Luke's Gospel serves several significant theological purposes:
* **Historical Veracity and Reliability:** Luke's detailed and precise dating, including the mention of a seemingly minor ruler like Lysanias of Abilene, powerfully affirms the historical reliability of the Gospel narrative. It asserts that the events of salvation history are not mythical or legendary, but are firmly rooted in actual historical time and space, providing a concrete foundation for faith.
* **Universality of God's Plan:** The enumeration of various rulers and diverse territories, from major provinces to smaller tetrarchies like Abilene, subtly indicates the expansive reach of God's providential plan. The coming of the Messiah and the proclamation of His kingdom are not confined to a single nation or region but are part of a divine scheme that intersects with the broader geopolitical landscape of the world, foreshadowing the universal scope of the Gospel message ([[Luke 24:47]]).
* **Divine Timing:** By meticulously setting the stage with such specific historical markers, Luke implicitly emphasizes that the time was divinely appointed and ripe for the appearance of the Messiah, aligning with prophetic expectations for God's redemptive work to unfold at a particular historical juncture.
* **Witness to the World:** The comprehensive list of rulers and regions serves as a backdrop against which the universal call of the Gospel would eventually be proclaimed to "all nations," demonstrating that God's plan encompasses all peoples and places, even those seemingly on the periphery.
### Summary
Abilēnḗ (Ἀβιληνή, `{{G9}}`) is a proper noun referring to a specific historical region in Syria, ruled by Lysanias at the time of John the Baptist's ministry. Its singular appearance in [[Luke 3:1]] is a testament to Luke's meticulous historical dating, grounding the Gospel narrative in verifiable time and place. While the word itself carries no direct theological meaning, its inclusion profoundly contributes to the historical veracity of the Gospel, emphasizing the reality of God's intervention in human history. It subtly points to the universality of God's redemptive plan, which unfolds amidst the diverse political and geographical realities of the world. This detailed historical context, including seemingly minor territories like Abilene, underscores the reliability of the biblical account and the providential timing of the Messiah's advent.
TRV