978. Bithunia

Lexicon

Bithunia: Bithynia

Original Word: Βιθυνία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Bithunia
Pronunciation: bee-thoo-NEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (bee-thoo-nee'-ah)
Definition: Bithynia
Meaning: Bithynia, a Roman province, north-west of Asia Minor and south-west of the Black Sea.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Bithynia.

Of uncertain derivation; Bithynia, a region of Asia -- Bithynia.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Bithynia, a province in Asia Minor
NASB Translation
Bithynia (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 978: Βιθυνία

Βιθυνία, Βιθυνίας, ἡ, Bithynia, a province of Asia Minor, bounded by the Euxine Sea, the Propontis, Mysia, Phrygia, Galatia, Paphlagonia: Acts 16:7; 1 Peter 1:1. (Cf. B. D. under the word; Dict. of Greek and Rom. Geog. under the word; Conybeare and Howson, St. Paul, etc., chapter viii.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from Βιθύνιος (Bithynios), meaning "Bithynian," which refers to an inhabitant of Bithynia, a region in Asia Minor.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for Βιθυνία, as it is a specific geographical term related to a region outside of the traditional Hebrew-speaking areas. However, geographical terms in the Hebrew Bible that refer to regions or peoples outside of Israel, such as those found in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10), may provide contextual parallels in terms of the spread of peoples and cultures.

Usage: The term Βιθυνία appears in the New Testament in the context of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys. It is mentioned specifically in Acts 16:7 and 1 Peter 1:1.

Context: Bithynia was an ancient region in Asia Minor, known for its strategic location and fertile lands. In the New Testament, Bithynia is noted for its mention in the context of early Christian missionary activity. In Acts 16:7, the Apostle Paul, along with his companions, attempted to enter Bithynia during his second missionary journey, but they were prevented by the Spirit of Jesus: "When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them" (BSB). This divine intervention redirected Paul's mission towards Macedonia, highlighting the providential guidance in the spread of the Gospel.

Additionally, Bithynia is referenced in 1 Peter 1:1, where the Apostle Peter addresses his epistle to the "elect exiles of the Dispersion" in various regions, including Bithynia: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect, exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (BSB). This indicates the presence of early Christian communities in Bithynia, suggesting that the Gospel had reached this region despite Paul's initial redirection.

Historically, Bithynia was a significant Roman province by the time of the New Testament, having been annexed by the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC. Its cities, such as Nicomedia and Nicaea, played important roles in early Christian history, with Nicaea later becoming the site of the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325.

Forms and Transliterations

Βιθυνιαν Βιθυνίαν Βιθυνιας Βιθυνίας βικόν Bithunian Bithunias Bithynian Bithynían Bithynias Bithynías

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 16:7 N-AFS
GRK: εἰς τὴν Βιθυνίαν πορευθῆναι καὶ
NAS: to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit
KJV: to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit
INT: into Bithynia to go and

1 Peter 1:1 N-GFS
GRK: Ἀσίας καὶ Βιθυνίας
NAS: Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
KJV: Asia, and Bithynia,
INT: of Asia and Bithynia

Strong's Greek 978
2 Occurrences

Βιθυνίαν — 1 Occ.
Βιθυνίας — 1 Occ.