The term "Lydian" refers to anything related to Lydia, an ancient region located in the western part of what is now modern-day Turkey. Lydia is mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the New Testament, and is significant for its cultural and historical context during the early Christian era.

Geographical Context

Lydia was a prominent region in Asia Minor, bordered by Mysia to the north, Phrygia to the east, Caria to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the west. The capital of Lydia was Sardis, a city known for its wealth and as a center of commerce and trade. The region was famous for its rich deposits of gold and silver, contributing to its prosperity.

Historical Background

Lydia was an influential kingdom during the first millennium BC, known for its powerful kings, such as Croesus, who was renowned for his wealth. The Lydians are credited with inventing coinage, which revolutionized trade and commerce in the ancient world. Lydia eventually fell under the control of the Persian Empire and later became part of the Roman province of Asia.

Biblical Significance

In the New Testament, Lydia is most notably mentioned in the Book of Acts. The city of Thyatira, located in Lydia, is referenced in Acts 16:14, where a woman named Lydia is introduced:

"One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message." (Acts 16:14)

Lydia, the woman, is significant as she is considered the first recorded convert to Christianity in Europe. Her conversion and subsequent hospitality to Paul and his companions mark an important moment in the spread of the Gospel.

Cultural and Religious Context

Lydia, as a region, was a melting pot of various cultures and religions. The Lydians practiced a polytheistic religion, worshiping a pantheon of gods similar to those of the Greeks. The region's strategic location made it a crossroads for different peoples and ideas, which facilitated the spread of Christianity.

The mention of Lydia in the Bible highlights the early Christian mission's reach into diverse and influential regions. The conversion of Lydia, a businesswoman dealing in purple cloth—a luxury item—illustrates the Gospel's appeal across different social and economic strata.

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Lydia is also significant in the context of the Seven Churches of Revelation, as two of these churches, Sardis and Thyatira, were located within its boundaries. The Book of Revelation addresses these churches, providing insight into the spiritual challenges and conditions of early Christian communities in the region.

Conclusion

The Lydian region, with its rich history and cultural significance, played a crucial role in the early spread of Christianity. The biblical account of Lydia, the woman from Thyatira, underscores the transformative power of the Gospel and its ability to transcend cultural and economic barriers.(a.) of or pertaining to Lydia, a country of Asia Minor, or to its inhabitants; hence, soft; effeminate; -- said especially of one of the ancient Greek modes or keys, the music in which was of a soft, pathetic, or voluptuous character.LYDIAN

lid'-i-an.

See LYDIA.

3070. Ludia -- Lydia, a Christian woman
... Lydia, a Christian woman. Properly, feminine of Ludios (of foreign origin) (a Lydian,
in Asia Minor); Lydia, a Christian woman: -Lydia. (ludia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3070.htm - 6k

931. basanos -- a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals) ...
... 931 () was "originally (from oriental origin) a touchstone; a 'Lydian stone' used
for testing gold because pure gold rubbed on it left a peculiar mark. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/931.htm - 7k

That the Inventors of Other Arts were Mostly Barbarians.
... [1979] In music, Olympus the Mysian practiced the Lydian harmony; and the people
called Troglodytes invented the sambuca, [1980] a musical instrument. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi that the inventors of.htm

Croesus.
... Remonstrance of Gyges."Nyssia's suppressed indignation."She sends for Gyges."Candaules
is assassinated."Gyges succeeds."The Lydian power extended ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iv croesus.htm

Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ...
... What my Eunomos sings is not the measure of Terpander, nor that of Capito, nor the
Phrygian, nor Lydian, nor Dorian, but the immortal measure of the new ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter i exhortation to abandon the.htm

The Conquest of Babylon.
... The first thing, however, was to confirm and secure his Lydian conquests. ... "To avoid
a cruel death from the Persians, Pactyas, a Lydian, fled to us for refuge. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

The Conquest of Lydia.
... Great battle at Pteria."Undecisive result."Croesus returns to Sardis."Cyrus follows
him."Confusion and alarm at Sardis."The Lydian cavalry."Nature ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vii the conquest of.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... While the Lydian satrap was demanding reinforcements from his sovereign, Aristagoras
therefore repaired to the Peloponnesus as a suppliant for help. ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9
... the Median empire -- The early years of the reign of Nabonidus: revolutions in Tyre,
the taking of Harran -- The end of the reign of Alyattes, Lydian art and ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 9/title page.htm

Time Changes Nations' Dresses --And Fortunes.
... [3] Utica (Oehler). [4] ie, in Adrumetum (Oehler). [5] S??cularium. [6] ie, Etruscans,
who were supposed to be of Lydian origin. [7] ie, your gown. ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter i time changes nations dressesand.htm

Accession of Cyrus to the Throne.
... While Croesus had thus, on his side of the River Halys"which was the stream that
marked the boundary between the Lydian empire on the west and the Persian ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter v accession of cyrus.htm

The Oracles.
... The River Halys, a great river of Asia Minor, which flows northward into the
Black Sea, was the eastern boundary of the Lydian empire. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vi the oracles.htm

Lydian
... the music in which was of a soft, pathetic, or voluptuous character. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LYDIAN. lid'-i-an. See LYDIA. ...
/l/lydian.htm - 6k

Lydia (5 Occurrences)
... lid'-ia (Ludia): The feminine of Lydian, a native of Lydia, a large country on the
West of Asia Minor, and the name of Paul's first convert in Europe. ...
/l/lydia.htm - 12k

Money (284 Occurrences)
... The earliest Lydian coins were struck by Gyges in the 7th century BC These coins
were of electrum and elliptical in form, smooth on the reverse but deeply ...
/m/money.htm - 69k

Lydians (2 Occurrences)

/l/lydians.htm - 7k

Gog (12 Occurrences)
... with Gagi, ruler of Sakhi, mentioned by Ashurbanipal, but Professor Sayce thinks
the Hebrew name corresponds more closely to Gyges, the Lydian king, the Gugu ...
/g/gog.htm - 14k

With (66342 Occurrences)
... sufferers is pathological. (2) The same must be said of the Lydian maiden
whose cure by Paul is recorded in Acts 16:16. This is ...
/w/with.htm - 20k

Thyatira (4 Occurrences)
... Before the time of Nicator the place was regarded as a holy city, for there stood
the temple of the ancient Lydian sun-god, Tyrimnos; about it games were held ...
/t/thyatira.htm - 12k

Devils (48 Occurrences)
... sufferers is pathological. (2) The same must be said of the Lydian maiden
whose cure by Paul is recorded in Acts 16:16. This is ...
/d/devils.htm - 31k

Demons (54 Occurrences)
... sufferers is pathological. (2) The same must be said of the Lydian maiden
whose cure by Paul is recorded in Acts 16:16. This is ...
/d/demons.htm - 34k

Communion (8 Occurrences)
... sufferers is pathological. (2) The same must be said of the Lydian maiden
whose cure by Paul is recorded in Acts 16:16. This is ...
/c/communion.htm - 30k

Lydian: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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