### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word Ἀδραμυττηνός (Adramyttēnós, `{{G98}}`) is an adjective derived from the geographical proper noun Adramyttium, an ancient city located in Mysia, a region of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Its core meaning is purely geographical: "of Adramyttium" or "belonging to Adramyttium." It serves to identify something or someone as being from or associated with this particular location. The semantic range of this term is thus very narrow, confined to its denotative geographical reference without carrying any inherent moral, theological, or abstract meaning. Its significance is entirely contextual, pointing to a specific point on the ancient Mediterranean map.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Ἀδραμυττηνός (Adramyttēnós, `{{G98}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts.
* **[[Acts 27:2]]**: "And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto the coasts of Asia, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us."
In this passage, the word describes the ship that Paul, as a prisoner, and his companions (including Luke and Aristarchus) boarded at Caesarea Maritima for the initial leg of their voyage to Rome. This "ship of Adramyttium" (πλοῖον Ἀδραμυττηνόν) was likely a merchant vessel that regularly plied the trade routes between Judea and the ports of Asia Minor, with Adramyttium being its home port or a significant destination. The ship was not bound directly for Italy but for the coastal regions of Asia. This necessitated a transfer to another ship at Myra in Lycia, which was sailing to Italy. Luke's inclusion of such a precise detail about the ship's origin underscores his meticulous approach to historical reporting. It provides a tangible, verifiable detail that grounds the narrative of Paul's journey in the logistical realities of first-century maritime travel, reinforcing the historical authenticity of the account.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word Ἀδραμυττηνός (Adramyttēnós, `{{G98}}`) is primarily related to:
* **Geographical Nouns:** It belongs to a class of words that specify locations, regions, or cities. Its appearance alongside other geographical markers like Ἀσία (Asia, `{{G77}}`), Μύρα (Myra, `{{G3469}}`), Καισάρεια (Caesarea, `{{G2542}}`), and Ῥώμη (Rome, `{{G4516}}`) in the Acts narrative highlights Luke's detailed geographical awareness.
* **Maritime Terminology:** As it describes a ship, it is implicitly linked to other terms associated with sea travel, such as πλοῖον (ploion, ship, `{{G4143}}`), ἀνάγεσθαι (anagesthai, to put to sea, `{{G321}}`), and πλεῖν (plein, to sail, `{{G4131}}`).
* **Historical Precision:** The accurate use of such specific place names and details in Acts is characteristic of Luke's historical methodology, which aims to provide a reliable account of the early Christian movement. This precision contributes to the overall credibility of the biblical text.
### Theological Significance
While Ἀδραμυττηνός (Adramyttēnós, `{{G98}}`) itself carries no explicit theological meaning, its presence in the biblical narrative contributes to several important theological themes:
* **Divine Providence in Human Affairs:** The seemingly incidental detail of the "ship of Adramyttium" subtly illustrates the intricate tapestry of divine providence. Paul's journey to Rome was not a random series of events but a divinely orchestrated path for the Gospel to reach the heart of the Roman Empire. Even the specific vessels and routes, though chosen by human agents, were part of God's overarching plan to fulfill His purposes for Paul and the spread of the Good News.
* **Reliability and Historicity of Scripture:** Luke's meticulous attention to geographical and historical specifics, exemplified by the mention of the Adramyttene ship, reinforces the trustworthiness and historical grounding of the biblical narrative. This commitment to factual accuracy provides a solid foundation for the theological truths proclaimed, affirming that the events of salvation history transpired in real places and at real times.
* **The Global Scope of the Gospel Mission:** The very act of Paul traveling across the vast Mediterranean, utilizing the common means of transport of his day, underscores the expansive and boundary-crossing nature of the early Christian mission. The Gospel was not confined to any single locale but was destined to traverse lands and seas, reaching "the ends of the earth" [[Acts 1:8]], a journey implicitly facilitated by the very ships like the one from Adramyttium.
### Summary
The Greek word Ἀδραμυττηνός (Adramyttēnós, `{{G98}}`) is an adjective meaning "of Adramyttium," referring to a city in Asia Minor. Its sole New Testament occurrence is in [[Acts 27:2]], where it describes the "ship of Adramyttium" that Paul and his companions boarded at Caesarea. This precise geographical detail is a hallmark of Luke's historical accuracy, grounding the biblical narrative in the verifiable realities of the ancient world. Though semantically neutral, the inclusion of such a specific detail contributes to the theological themes of divine providence guiding Paul's journey, affirming the reliability and historicity of Scripture, and illustrating the global, outward-reaching nature of the early Christian mission.
TRV