Lexical Summary Assos: Assos Original Word: Ἄσσος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Assos. Probably of foreign origin; Assus, a city of Asia minor -- Assos. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Assos, a city on the W. coast of Asia Minor NASB Translation Assos (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 789: ΑσσοςΑσσος (so all editions, perhaps better Ασσος; Chandler § 317, cf. § 319; Pape, Eigennamen under the word), Ἀσσου, ἡ, Assos, a maritime city in Asia Minor, on the Aegean Sea (Gulf of Adramyttium), and nine (according to Tab. Peuting. (edited by Fortin d'Urban, Paris 1845, p. 170) 20 to 25) miles (see Hackett on Acts as below) distant (to the south) from Troas, a city of Lesser Phrygia: Acts 20:13f; (formerly read also in Acts 27:13 after the Vulg.; cf. ἆσσον. See Papers of the Archaeol. Inst. of America, Classical Series i. (1882) especially, pp. 60ff). Topical Lexicon Geographical setting Assos lay on the southern shore of the Troad, directly across the narrow Hellespont from the island of Lesbos. Perched on a steep volcanic acropolis nearly three hundred meters above sea level, the city commanded a natural harbor at its base. A Roman road linked it with Troas to the north, about thirty kilometers away, making it a convenient transfer point between land and sea routes along the Aegean coast of Asia Minor. Biblical occurrences Strong’s Greek 789 appears twice in the New Testament, both in the narrative of Paul’s return from his third missionary journey (Acts 20:13-14). Luke records: “But we went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul on board. He had arranged it this way because he was going there on foot” (Acts 20:13). The following verse notes the successful rendezvous and immediate continuation to Mitylene. Historical background Founded by Aeolian Greeks in the seventh century B.C., Assos became notable under Hermias of Atarneus, who brought Aristotle there to establish a school. It later fell under Persian, Seleucid, Pergamene, and ultimately Roman control. By the first century A.D. the city was a modest but prosperous harbor that exported local stone, pottery, and agricultural produce. Its patron deity was Athena; her temple crowned the summit and remains one of the best-preserved Archaic structures in Asia Minor. Role in Paul’s third missionary journey Assos served as a strategic meeting point during Paul’s hurried trek toward Jerusalem to deliver the collection for the saints and to arrive in time for Pentecost (Acts 20:16). While his companions embarked from Troas by ship, Paul chose the inland road—likely for privacy, pastoral visits, or personal reflection after the emotionally charged farewell to the believers in Troas (Acts 20:7-12). The twenty-mile walk allowed him to rejoin his team without slowing their maritime schedule. Luke’s understated comment underscores the apostle’s deliberate planning and tireless resolve. Theological and pastoral reflections 1. Intentional stewardship of time: Paul’s decision reveals a leader who balanced urgency for Jerusalem with pastoral care along the route, modeling wise management of travel and ministry priorities. Archaeological notes Excavations at Behramkale (modern Assos) have uncovered extensive fortification walls, an agora, a theater facing the sea, and inscriptions mentioning civic benefactors during the Roman Imperial period. The harbor mole, still visible, corroborates Luke’s maritime detail. A late fourth-century basilica indicates continued Christian presence, suggesting that Paul’s brief passage may have sown seeds for later evangelization. Applications for believers • Strategic planning and flexibility can coexist with dependence on God’s guidance. Forms and Transliterations Ασσον Ἄσσον Ἆσσον Asson ÁssonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 20:13 N-AFSGRK: ἐπὶ τὴν Ἄσσον ἐκεῖθεν μέλλοντες NAS: set sail for Assos, intending KJV: and sailed unto Assos, there intending INT: to Assos there being about Acts 20:14 N-AFS |
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