Lexical Summary Samos: Samos Original Word: Σάμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Samos. Of uncertain affinity; Samus, an island of the Mediterranean -- Samos. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Samos, an island in the Aegean NASB Translation Samos (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4544: ΣάμοςΣάμος ((probably 'height'; cf. Pape, Eigennamen)), Σαμου, ἡ, Samos, an island in that part of the Aegean which is called the Icarian Sea, opposite Ionia and not far from Ephesus; it was the birthplace of Pythagoras; (now Greek Samo, Turkish Susam Adassi): Acts 20:15. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Samos is a fertile, mountainous island lying just off the central west coast of Asia Minor, separated from the mainland by the narrow Mycale Strait. Well-watered and famous in antiquity for its wine, pottery, and ship-building timber, the island boasted a strategic position on the Aegean trade routes that linked the Hellenistic cities of Ionia with the wider Mediterranean world. Biblical Occurrence The island is mentioned a single time in the New Testament. During the return leg of his third missionary journey, the Apostle Paul passed by Samos while making his way toward Jerusalem: “And sailing from there, the next day we arrived opposite Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after that we came on to Miletus.” (Acts 20:15) Luke’s inclusion of Samos helps chart Paul’s movements and underscores the deliberate pace of a voyage governed by prevailing winds and the Church’s liturgical calendar; Paul was hurrying to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Historical and Cultural Background 1. Political history. By the first century Samos had enjoyed a long legacy of power and autonomy. It had been ruled successively by local tyrants, the Persian Empire, Athens, Sparta, the Ptolemies, and finally Rome, yet retained a reputation for prosperity and independence. Significance in Paul’s Journey Samos represents the final island stop before Paul reached Miletus, where he delivered his moving farewell address to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-38). The geographical detail conveys three pastoral realities: Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Witness Excavations at the Heraion reveal extensive sixth-century BCE building phases, confirming the island’s wealth. Inscriptions from the Roman period attest to self-governance under the Empire and to benefactions made by civic patrons for harbor works, aligning with Luke’s picture of an active port that could readily accommodate a coastal trading vessel. Although no explicit Christian epigraphy from the first century has been uncovered on Samos, second-century traditions mention missionary activity emanating from nearby Ephesus, suggesting that the gospel eventually reached the island. Spiritual Lessons 1. The gospel traverses every cultural stronghold. Even an island renowned for its devotion to Hera could be brushed by the wake of an apostolic vessel. Ministry Implications • Mission planning today still benefits from strategic routing. Modern workers can learn from Paul’s careful scheduling that balanced urgency with relational care. Conclusion Though Samos receives only a brief mention, the island fills an important place in the unfolding narrative of Acts. It embodies the far-reaching scope of the gospel, the precision of inspired history, and the quiet faithfulness of servants who press on toward their God-appointed destinations. Forms and Transliterations Σαμον Σάμον Samon SámonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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