Lexical Summary Itouraios: Iturean Original Word: Ἰτουραῖος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ituraea. Of Hebrew origin (Ytuwr); Ituraea (i.e. Jetur), a region of Palestine -- Ituraea. see HEBREW Ytuwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Yetur Definition Ituraea, a region N. of Pal. NASB Translation Ituraea (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2484: ἸτουραιαἸτουραια, Ἰτουραίας, ἡ, Ituraea, a mountainous region, lying northeast of Palestine and west of Damascus (Strabo 16, p. 756 § 18; Pliny, h. n. 5 (23) 19). According to Luke (Luke 3:1), at the time when John the Baptist made his public appearance it was subject to Philip the tetrarch, son of Herod the Great, although it is not mentioned by Josephus (Antiquities 17, 8, 1; 11, 4, 18; 4, 6 and b. j. 2, 6, 3) among the regions assigned to this prince after his father's death; (on this point cf. Schürer in the Zeitschr. f. wissensch. Theol. for 1877, p. 577f). It was brought under Jewish control by king Aristobulus circa Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Iturea lay north-east of the Sea of Galilee, stretching along the slopes of Mount Hermon, the Anti-Lebanon range, and parts of the Beqaa valley. Bounded roughly by Trachonitis on the south-east and Abilene on the south-west, the district formed part of the larger region known in classical sources as Coele-Syria. Its hills, fertile valleys, and strategic passes controlled the caravan routes that connected Damascus with the Phoenician coast and with Galilee. Biblical Occurrence Luke alone records the name when locating John the Baptist’s ministry: “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar… Philip was tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis” (Luke 3:1). The mention serves Luke’s purpose of anchoring the gospel narrative in verifiable history, showing how the word of God came “in the wilderness” (Luke 3:2) while specific rulers governed defined territories. Historical Background • Second-Temple Era origins: The Ituraeans descended from a north-Arabian clan whose ancestor is often identified with Jetur, son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:15; 1 Chronicles 1:31). They migrated northward during the third and second centuries B.C., occupying Lebanon’s highlands. Political Developments in the New Testament Era 1. Philip’s tetrarchy (4 B.C.–A.D. 34) ensured relative stability, road construction, and urbanization (Bethsaida Julias). The Ituraeans: People and Culture Renowned as expert archers and light cavalry, the Ituraeans served in both Hellenistic and Roman armies. Classical writers such as Strabo and Josephus describe them as semi-nomadic, practicing a mixture of herding, viticulture, and trade. Despite early resistance, portions of the population adopted Hellenistic civic life under Philip, who minted coins bearing his image yet respected local customs—an environment that later facilitated the spread of the gospel to Gentile and Jewish communities alike. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Chronological reliability: Luke’s precise reference to Philip’s Iturean tetrarchy confirms the Evangelist’s intent “to write an orderly account” (Luke 1:3). Archaeological synchronization of Philip’s reign with Tiberius’ fifteenth year (A.D. 27–29) fortifies confidence in the dating of John’s baptismal ministry and, by extension, the inauguration of Jesus’ public work. Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Witness • Inscriptions from Caesarea Philippi confirm Philip’s titles and the geographical scope matching Luke’s statement. Summary Though mentioned only once in the New Testament, Iturea offers a window into Luke’s historical accuracy, the complex political landscape preceding Christ’s ministry, and the divine orchestration that positioned a Gentile frontier to become part of the early gospel advance. Its archers, mountains, and cities all testify that the message heralded by John and fulfilled in Jesus unfolded in real places under real rulers, exactly as Scripture records. Forms and Transliterations Ιτουραιας Ἰτουραίας Itouraias ItouraíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |