Lexical Summary Dekapolis: Decapolis Original Word: Δεκάπολις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Decapolis. From deka and polis; the ten-city region; the Decapolis, a district in Syria -- Decapolis. see GREEK deka see GREEK polis NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom deka and polis Definition Decapolis, a region E. of the Jordan NASB Translation Decapolis (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1179: ΔεκάπολιςΔεκάπολις, Δεκαπολισεως, ἡ, Decapolis (regiodecapolitana, Pliny, h. n. 5, 16, 17), i. e. a region embracing ten cities. This name is borne by a district of the tribe of Manasseh beyond the Jordan and bordering upon Syria, embracing ten principal cities with smaller towns also scattered in among them. But the ancient geographers vary in their enumeration of these ten cities. Pliny, the passage cited reckons Damascus among them, which Josephus seems to have excluded, calling Scythopolis μεγίστην τῆς Δεκαπόλεως, b. j. 3, 9, 7. All seem to agree in this, that Gadara, Hippo, Pella and Scythopolis were of the number. Cf. Winers RWB under the word Decapolis; Vaihinger in Herzog 3:325f; Riehm, HWB, 266f; (BB. DD., under the word): Matthew 4:25; Mark 5:20; Mark 7:31. Topical Lexicon Historical Background Decapolis designates a confederation of ten Hellenistic cities that emerged after the campaigns of Alexander the Great and was later fostered by Rome as a semi-autonomous league within the province of Syria. Each city maintained its own municipal government, minted its own coinage, and promoted Greek language, architecture, and civic religion. While predominantly Gentile in culture, the region housed a significant Jewish minority, producing a social landscape where Greek, Roman, and Semitic customs intersected. Geographical Setting Most of the ten lay east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee, stretching southward along the Trans-Jordan plateau. Customarily listed members include Scythopolis (the only one west of the Jordan), Hippos, Gadara, Gerasa, Pella, Dion, Raphana, Kanatha, Philadelphia, and Damascus. The territory commanded the north–south King’s Highway and the east–west Jezreel Valley corridor, securing commercial influence that rivaled coastal port cities. Scriptural Occurrences Matthew 4:25 records that “Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan followed Him”, situating Decapolis within the widening circle of Jesus’ early popularity. Mark 5:20 shows the healed demoniac obeying His commission: “So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed”. Mark 7:31 notes Jesus’ deliberate travel route “into the region of the Decapolis”, immediately preceding the healing of a deaf mute and the feeding of four thousand (Mark 8:1-10)—events that likely took place on Gentile soil. Ministry Implications 1. Outreach beyond ethnic Israel: The Gospel writers intentionally highlight Decapolis to demonstrate that the Messiah’s compassion and authority transcend Jewish boundaries (Isaiah 49:6). Archaeological and Cultural Insights Excavations at Gerasa (modern Jerash) and Gadara reveal colonnaded streets, theaters, and temples dedicated to Greco-Roman deities, underscoring the idolatrous milieu into which the good news penetrated. Coins bearing emperors’ images attest to imperial loyalty, while inscriptions in Greek and Aramaic illustrate bilingual reality. Such findings corroborate the New Testament portrayal of Decapolis as simultaneously cosmopolitan and spiritually needy. Theological Significance Decapolis functions as a narrative bridge: the earthly ministry of Jesus foreshadows the later apostolic mission to the Gentiles, affirming the Abrahamic promise that “all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The miracles performed there validate both His deity and His intent to redeem people “from every nation, tribe, people, and language” (Revelation 7:9). Practical Applications • Believers are called to bring Christ’s deliverance into culturally diverse arenas, confident that His authority is recognized even where His name is scarcely known. Key Takeaways Decapolis embodies the outward thrust of the Gospel during Jesus’ earthly ministry; its mention in three strategic passages underscores God’s heart for the nations, the transformative power of personal witness, and the certainty that Christ’s kingdom transcends every cultural barrier. Forms and Transliterations Δεκαπολει Δεκαπόλει Δεκαπολεως Δεκαπόλεως δεκάρχους Dekapolei Dekapólei Dekapoleos Dekapoleōs Dekapóleos DekapóleōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:25 N-GFSGRK: Γαλιλαίας καὶ Δεκαπόλεως καὶ Ἰεροσολύμων NAS: Him from Galilee and [the] Decapolis and Jerusalem KJV: and [from] Decapolis, and INT: Galilee and [the] Decapolis and Jerusalem Mark 5:20 N-DFS Mark 7:31 N-GFS Strong's Greek 1179 |
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