Lexical Summary Seleukeia: Seleucia Original Word: Σελεύκεια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Seleucia. From Seleukos (Seleucus, a Syrian king); Seleuceia, a place in Syria -- Seleucia. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Seleukos (Seleucus, a Syrian king) Definition Seleucia, a city of Syria NASB Translation Seleucia (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4581: ΣελεύκειαΣελεύκεια (T WH Σελευκια (see Iota)), Σελευκείας, ἡ, Seleucia, a city of Syria on the Mediterranean, about 5 miles (40 stadia, Strabo 16, p. 750) north of the mouth of the river Orontes, about 15 miles (120 stadia) distant from Antioch, and opposite Cyprus: Acts 13:4 (1 Macc. 11:8). (Lewin, St. Paul, 1:116ff; Conyb. and Howson, op. cit., 1:136f.) Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Seleucia lay on the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of the Orontes River, about sixteen miles west of Antioch of Syria. The city occupied a strategic ridge commanding both the harbor and the inland route to Antioch, functioning as the principal seaport for Syria’s capital. Its breakwater and twin harbors offered safe anchorage for merchantmen and naval vessels alike, making Seleucia a natural point of departure for travel across the eastern Mediterranean. Historical Background Founded by Seleucus I Nicator in the late fourth century B.C., Seleucia rapidly became one of the four most important cities of the Seleucid Empire (together with Antioch, Apamea, and Laodicea). Its Hellenistic roots are evident in its urban layout, gymnasiums, and temples, yet under Roman rule it enjoyed the privileged status of a free city, governed by its own senate and magistrates. A sizeable Jewish population lived there by the first century, and a network of synagogues connected the Jewish communities of Antioch and the coast. The city’s prosperity and cultural mix created fertile soil for the gospel once it reached Syrian Antioch. Biblical Occurrence Acts 13:4 records the only New Testament mention: “So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.” Although brief, the reference marks the formal launch of Paul’s first missionary journey. Luke’s detailed geographic precision underlines the historical reliability of the narrative and draws attention to Seleucia’s logistical importance for the expanding mission. Role in the Missionary Expansion 1. Gateway to the Gentile World Antioch had become the base church for Gentile outreach (Acts 11:19-26). Seleucia, its harbor, provided the physical gateway from which the Antiochene missionaries could reach the wider Mediterranean. By embarking from Seleucia to Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas followed a natural trade route, carrying the gospel along existing commercial arteries. 2. Symbol of Spirit-Directed Strategy The Spirit’s sending (Acts 13:2-4) immediately translated into concrete action: the apostles “went down” to the port. Luke’s concise notice shows that Spirit-guided ministry employs ordinary means—roads, harbors, and ships—yet accomplishes extraordinary ends. Seleucia thus illustrates how divine initiative intersects human planning. 3. Pattern for Subsequent Journeys The Antioch-Seleucia corridor likely served Paul repeatedly, even when not explicitly named. After each reporting visit to Antioch (14:26-28; 15:35-41; 18:22-23), the apostolic team would again reach the coast before embarking. Seleucia’s initial mention invites readers to envision this recurring rhythm of return and redeployment. Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Witness Excavations at nearby Tell Sukas and the site of modern-day Samandağ reveal Hellenistic walls, rock-cut tombs, and a monumental necropolis. Ancient writers—Strabo, Pliny, and Appian—note Seleucia’s twin harbors, lighthouse, and shipyards. Josephus (Antiquities 14.100; Wars 1.425) records Jewish settlement there, corroborating Luke’s portrayal of a vibrant Syrian-Jewish milieu. Theological and Ministry Implications • God often uses existing commercial and cultural networks to advance the gospel. Modern missions likewise benefit from leveraging global infrastructure—airports, digital communication, commerce. Summary Seleucia, though briefly cited, served as the hinge between the vibrant church at Antioch and the Gentile mission field beyond. Its harbors bore the first wave of apostolic outreach that would eventually reach the ends of the earth. In Scripture, geography is never incidental; Seleucia’s role reminds believers that every place—however fleeting its mention—can become a launchpad for the purposes of God. Forms and Transliterations Σελεύκειαν Σελευκιαν Σελευκίαν Seleukeian SeleúkeianLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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