Jump to: Hitchcock's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The Decapolis was a group of ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire in the southeastern Levant, primarily located in what is now modern-day Jordan, with some cities in Israel and Syria. The term "Decapolis" is derived from the Greek words "deka," meaning ten, and "polis," meaning city. These cities were centers of Greek and Roman culture in a region that was otherwise Semitic, and they played a significant role in the cultural and economic landscape of the area during the time of the New Testament.Biblical References: The Decapolis is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospels. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is noted that Jesus' fame spread throughout the region: "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan followed Him" (Matthew 4:24-25). In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus' interaction with the Decapolis is highlighted through His miraculous works. After healing a man possessed by demons in the region of the Gerasenes, the man was instructed by Jesus to "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you." The man went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were amazed (Mark 5:19-20). Additionally, Mark records another miracle in the Decapolis region: "Then Jesus left the region of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and hardly able to speak, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him" (Mark 7:31-32). Jesus healed the man, and the people were "overwhelmed with amazement" (Mark 7:37). Historical and Cultural Context: The Decapolis cities were established after the conquests of Alexander the Great and were later incorporated into the Roman Empire. These cities were known for their Hellenistic culture, which included Greek language, architecture, and customs. The Decapolis served as a buffer zone between the Roman Empire and the Nabatean Kingdom to the south and east. The cities were autonomous, each with its own government, and they were linked by trade and mutual defense agreements. The Decapolis included cities such as Scythopolis (modern-day Beit She'an), Hippos, Gadara, Pella, and Gerasa (modern-day Jerash). These cities were known for their impressive architecture, including theaters, temples, and colonnaded streets, which reflected their Greek and Roman influences. Significance in the New Testament: The Decapolis is significant in the New Testament as a region where Jesus' ministry extended beyond the traditional Jewish territories. His interactions in the Decapolis demonstrate the reach of His message and miracles to Gentile populations. The accounts of Jesus' miracles in this region highlight His compassion and power, as well as the growing recognition of His ministry among diverse groups of people. The Decapolis serves as a backdrop for the spread of the Gospel, illustrating the early Christian mission to bring the message of Jesus to all nations, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. The response of the people in the Decapolis to Jesus' works, as recorded in the Gospels, underscores the universal appeal and transformative impact of His ministry. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary DecapolisATS Bible Dictionary Decapolis(From the Greek words, deka, ten, and polis, a city,) a country in Palestine, which contained ten principal cities, on both of the Jordan, chiefly east, Matthew 4:25; Mark 5:20; 7:31. According to Pliny, they were, Scythopolis, Philadelphia, Raphanae, Gadara, Hippos, Dios, Pella, Gerasa, Canatha, and Damascus. Josephus inserts Otopos instead of Canatha. Though within the limits of Israel, the Decapolis was inhabited by many foreigners, and hence it retained a foreign appellation. This may also account for the numerous herds of swine kept in the district, Matthew 8:30; a practice which was forbidden by the Mosaic Law. Easton's Bible Dictionary Ten cities=deka, ten, and polis, a city, a district on the east and south-east of the Sea of Galilee containing "ten cities," which were chiefly inhabited by Greeks. It included a portion of Bashan and Gilead, and is mentioned three times in the New Testament (Matthew 4:25; Mark 5:20; 7:31). These cities were Scythopolis, i.e., "city of the Scythians", (ancient Bethshean, the only one of the ten cities on the west of Jordan), Hippos, Gadara, Pella (to which the Christians fled just before the destruction of Jerusalem), Philadelphia (ancient Rabbath-ammon), Gerasa, Dion, Canatha, Raphana, and Damascus. When the Romans conquered Syria (B.C. 65) they rebuilt, and endowed with certain privileges, these "ten cities," and the province connected with them they called "Decapolis." International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DECAPOLISde-kap'-o-lis (Dekapolis): The name given to the region occupied by a league of "ten cities" (Matthew 4:25 Mark 5:20; Mark 7:31), which Eusebius defines (in Onomastica) as "lying in the Peraea, round Hippos, Pella and Gadara." Such combinations of Greek cities arose as Rome assumed dominion in the East, to promote their common interests in trade and commerce, and for mutual protection against the peoples surrounding them. Greek 1179. Dekapolis -- Decapolis, a region East of the Jordan ... Decapolis, a region East of the Jordan. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Dekapolis Phonetic Spelling: (dek-ap'-ol-is) Short Definition: Decapolis ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1179.htm - 6k 1046. Gadarenos -- of Gadara, Gadarene Library Christ's Curate in Decapolis The True Sign The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his ... Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee. The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from ... And Now I am Come to this Part of My Narration... A Group of Miracles among a Semi-Heathen Population The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed. The Christian Sabbath --Peter's Confession of Faith. The Men of Gadara Thesaurus Decapolis (3 Occurrences)... conquered Syria (BC 65) they rebuilt, and endowed with certain privileges, these "ten cities," and the province connected with them they called "Decapolis.". ... /d/decapolis.htm - 10k Decap'olis (3 Occurrences) Region (96 Occurrences) Departed (270 Occurrences) Decalogue Judea (50 Occurrences) Large (235 Occurrences) Gerasa Gerasenes (3 Occurrences) Wondered (45 Occurrences) Resources Why did Jesus spit for some of His miracles? | GotQuestions.orgDoes salvation affect more than just the afterlife? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Decapolis (3 Occurrences)Matthew 4:25 Mark 5:20 Mark 7:31 Subtopics Decapolis: Ten Cities Situated in One District on the East of the Sea of Galilee Related Terms |
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