### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word Ἀδρίας (Adrias, `{{G99}}`) refers specifically to the Adriatic Sea. Its base definition indicates a geographical origin "from (a place near its shore)," referencing the ancient town of Hadria (modern Adria) which gave its name to the body of water. Crucially, the semantic range of Ἀδρίας in the ancient world was broader than the modern definition, encompassing not only the sea east of Italy but also the waters stretching southwards to include the Ionian Sea, extending between Italy, Greece, and Crete. This wider scope is essential for understanding its single biblical occurrence. Thus, Ἀδρίας denotes a specific, well-defined geographical area of maritime travel in the Mediterranean.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Ἀδρίας (Adrias, `{{G99}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* [[Acts 27:27]]: "When the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country."
This solitary occurrence is found within the detailed account of Paul's perilous voyage to Rome as a prisoner. Having departed from Fair Havens on Crete ([[Acts 27:8]]), the ship encountered a violent northeasterly gale, the "Euroclydon" ([[Acts 27:14]]), which drove them helplessly for days. The mention of "Adria" here precisely locates the ship's drift. Given the ship's starting point and eventual landing on Malta ([[Acts 28:1]]), the ancient, broader understanding of the "Adria" is confirmed. The ship was not merely in the narrow modern Adriatic, but in the large expanse of the central Mediterranean, between Sicily, Malta, Crete, and the southern Italian coast. This geographical precision underscores the verisimilitude of Luke's historical narrative and highlights the extreme danger faced by Paul and his companions. The phrase "driven up and down" vividly conveys the chaotic and uncontrollable nature of their journey, emphasizing their complete vulnerability to the storm's power.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper geographical noun, Ἀδρίας (Adrias, `{{G99}}`) does not have direct linguistic cognates or synonyms in the biblical text. However, it is conceptually linked to several important themes and words:
* **Maritime Travel & Navigation:** The context of Ἀδρίας is inextricably tied to ancient seafaring, storms, and the dangers of sea voyages (e.g., πλοῖον - ship, θάλασσα - sea).
* **Geography:** It is part of a broader network of geographical terms in Acts that ground the narrative in real-world locations (e.g., Crete, Malta, Sicily, Rome, Fair Havens).
* **Divine Providence:** The presence of the ship in the Adria, driven by the storm, serves as a backdrop for the demonstration of God's sovereign control over natural forces and human destiny, particularly in preserving Paul for his mission.
* **Peril & Deliverance:** The word evokes the concept of extreme danger and the subsequent miraculous deliverance, a recurring theme in biblical narratives.
### Theological Significance
While Ἀδρίας (Adrias, `{{G99}}`) is a purely geographical designation, its single appearance in the biblical narrative carries significant theological weight through its context within Paul's journey.
* **Divine Sovereignty Over Creation:** The storm on the Adria vividly illustrates God's ultimate control, even over chaotic natural phenomena. Despite the fury of the Euroclydon and the ship being "driven up and down," God's purposes for Paul were not thwarted. The sea, often a symbol of chaos in biblical thought, is here shown to be utterly subject to divine will.
* **God's Providential Care:** The precise location in the Adria highlights the reality of God's active involvement in human history. The preservation of all 276 souls aboard the ship ([[Acts 27:37]]) is a direct testament to God's faithfulness to His promise to Paul ([[Acts 27:24]]), demonstrating His meticulous care for His servants and His plan.
* **Authenticity and Historical Reliability:** The accurate geographical detail, particularly the ancient understanding of the "Adria," reinforces the historical reliability and verisimilitude of Luke's account in Acts. It roots the miraculous events in a tangible, verifiable historical setting, underscoring the truthfulness of the inspired narrative.
* **Advancement of the Gospel:** The perilous journey across the Adria, though fraught with danger, was ultimately part of God's ordained path for Paul to bear witness to Christ in Rome. Even adversity, in God's hands, serves to advance His redemptive purposes.
### Summary
Ἀδρίας (Adrias, `{{G99}}`) is the Greek proper noun for the Adriatic Sea, understood in its broader ancient scope to include the waters between Italy, Greece, and Crete. Its sole biblical appearance in [[Acts 27:27]] precisely locates Paul's ship during his storm-tossed voyage to Rome. This geographical detail serves to underscore the historical accuracy of Luke's narrative and provides a tangible backdrop for profound theological truths. The harrowing experience in the Adria powerfully illustrates God's unwavering sovereignty over creation, His providential care for His people, and His ability to use even extreme peril to advance His divine purposes for the spread of the Gospel.
TRV