Lexical Summary Dalmatia: Dalmatia Original Word: Δαλματία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Dalmatia. Probably of foreign derivation; Dalmatia, a region of Europe -- Dalmatia. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition Dalmatia, southern Illyricum on the Adriatic Sea NASB Translation Dalmatia (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1149: ΔαλματίαΔαλματία (Lachmann, Δελματιαν (probably Alexandrian but possibly genuine, Hort)), Δαλματιας, ἡ, Dalmatia, a part of Illyricum on the Adriatic Sea; on the east adjoining Pannonia and upper Moesia, on the north separated from Liburnia by the river Titius, and extending southward as far as to the river Drinus and the city Lissus (cf. Dict. of Geog., under the word; Conyb. and Hows. St. Paul, 2:126f; Lewin, St. Paul, 2:357): 2 Timothy 4:10. STRONGS NT 1149: Δελματια [Δελματια see Δαλματία.] Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Dalmatia was a coastal province on the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea, roughly corresponding to parts of modern-day Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Mountain ranges such as the Dinaric Alps dominated its inland territory, while the Adriatic coastline featured natural harbors that made the region strategically valuable to Rome for trade and military purposes. Historical Background The area came under Roman control in stages during the first century B.C. and was fully incorporated into the province of Illyricum in 9 A.D. After a major uprising (the Pannonian–Dalmatian revolt, A.D. 6-9), Roman legions garrisoned the territory, and Latin culture and law gradually took hold. When the province was later divided, the coastal portion retained the older name “Dalmatia,” while the inland portion was known as “Pannonia.” Roman roads such as the Via Egnatia’s northern extensions connected Dalmatia with Macedonia in the south and the Danube frontier in the north, allowing swift movement of troops and merchants—and eventually missionaries. Biblical Occurrence Dalmatia is mentioned once in the Greek New Testament: Relationship to Illyricum and Paul’s Mission Although Dalmatia is singled out only in 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul had already set the gospel’s western frontier in that general region years earlier: “So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ” (Romans 15:19). Dalmatia lay within Illyricum, so Titus’s journey represents the continuation of the very mission field Paul had pioneered. The single reference therefore signals momentum rather than isolation: the gospel was advancing along Rome’s well-engineered arteries toward Europe’s northwest. Titus’s Ministry and Early Church Growth Paul trusted Titus with difficult assignments—organizing the churches in Crete (Titus 1:5) and later representing Paul at Corinth (2 Corinthians 8:16-23). His departure to Dalmatia suggests: 1. An emerging network of believers already existed or was expected to form. Early post-apostolic tradition places Titus’s later years in Crete, yet Dalmatian Christians remembered him as a founder; fifth-century ecclesiastical lists name bishops from Salona (near modern Split) and Epidaurum (Dubrovnik) who traced their line back to his mission. Later Church History Persecutions under Emperors Nero, Decius, and Diocletian (who himself was Dalmatian-born) produced notable martyrs such as Domnius of Salona. After Constantine, Dalmatia supplied church leaders to regional synods and helped transmit Nicene orthodoxy northward. Archaeological remains—basilica foundations, Christian mosaics, and epitaphs—attest to a vibrant faith community extending from coastal cities to inland forts. Theological and Missional Insights • Scripture’s lone mention of Dalmatia underscores the breadth of apostolic vision: no province was too remote to merit a trusted co-laborer. Key Cross References Romans 15:18-21 – Paul’s prior evangelization of Illyricum 2 Timothy 4:6-12 – Final instructions, including Titus’s assignment to Dalmatia Titus 1:4-5 – Evidence of Titus’s proven leadership in new mission fields Forms and Transliterations Δαλματιαν Δαλματίαν δαλόν δαλός δάλου δαλών Dalmatian DalmatíanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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