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Ἰκόνιον

Ikónion

G2430 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain place name; designation of Iconium

Definition

Ikónion refers specifically to Iconium, an ancient city located in the interior of Asia Minor (modern-day Konya, Turkey). Used in Greek texts as a proper noun denoting this particular city, without additional metaphorical or extended senses. The term points solely to the geographic place, and does not function metaphorically or adjectivally in New Testament or other contemporary literature.

Semantic Range

the city of Iconium; geographic designation; proper noun for the Anatolian city

Root / Etymology

Uncertain. Although Strong's suggests a possible relationship to εἰκών ('image'), there is no direct linguistic evidence to support this derivation. The name Ikónion predates Hellenistic Greek usage and is most likely of Phrygian or older Anatolian origin, adopted into Greek as a loanword for the city itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ikónion appears in the New Testament (Acts 13:51, 14:1, etc.) as the site of early apostolic activity in south-central Anatolia. Its historical roots extend back to pre-Greek habitation, and it served as a significant city through the Phrygian, Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. In the context of Koine Greek literature, the term refers strictly to the city, without connoting anything beyond its identity as a place name. Attempts to relate it etymologically to the Greek εἰκών ('image, likeness') reflect ancient folk etymology rather than linguistic derivation. Standard English translations render Ἰκόνιον as 'Iconium.' No evidence exists for metaphorical or extended senses of the word in Hellenistic or biblical Greek. The city's position at crossroads elevated its importance in both secular and early Christian narratives.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

perhaps from εἰκών; image-like; Iconium, a place in Asia Minor:--Iconium.

Root Family

Ἰκόνιον (Ikónion) — Iconium, geographic place name, Anatolian city

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2430-01 Ἰκονίῳ ikonio N DAT N SG Iconium to Iconium 3
G2430-02 Ἰκόνιον ikonion N ACC N SG Iconium Iconium 2
G2430-03 Ἰκονίου ikoniou N GEN N SG Iconium of Iconium 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2430-02 Acts 13:51 Ἰκόνιον ikonion N ACC N SG Iconium Iconium
G2430-01 Acts 14:1 Ἰκονίῳ ikonio N DAT N SG Iconium to Iconium
G2430-03 Acts 14:19 Ἰκονίου ikoniou N GEN N SG Iconium of Iconium
G2430-02 Acts 14:21 Ἰκόνιον ikonion N ACC N SG Iconium Iconium
G2430-01 Acts 16:2 Ἰκονίῳ ikonio N DAT N SG Iconium to Iconium
G2430-01 2 Timothy 3:11 Ἰκονίῳ ikonio N DAT N SG Iconium to Iconium
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