Ἰλλυρικόν

Illyrikón

G2437 noun

SILEX Entry

Root Ἰλλυρικ- pertaining to Illyria, Illyrian, of Illyricum

Definition

Illyricum; the territory known as Illyricum, a region along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, north of Greece and Macedonia. Primarily denotes the area as a geographic designation rather than an ethnic or political entity. In the limited New Testament usage, refers specifically to the Roman province or the broader region associated with Illyrian peoples.

Semantic Range

region of Illyricum, land of the Illyrians, Roman province of Illyricum

Root / Etymology

From the place name Ἰλλυρία (Illyria) or Ἰλλυρίς (Illyris), with the neuter adjectival ending -ικόν, designating a land or territory; ultimately of pre-Greek (possibly Illyrian) origin. The Greek term is an adaption of a non-Greek regional name to Greek linguistic conventions.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἰλλυρικόν is attested in Hellenistic and Roman period Greek to refer to the region north and northwest of Macedonia, extending along the Adriatic coast from the borders of Macedonia to the region facing Italy. In literary sources, especially in Hellenistic geographies and Roman imperial documents, it designates either the broader land of the Illyrians or, more specifically, the Roman administrative province (Provincia Illyricum). The term appears in the New Testament only in Romans 15:19, where Paul describes the extent of his ministry. There, it signifies the outer western limit of his activities; it does not indicate an ethnic group or specific city. English Bible translations uniformly use 'Illyricum' as a proper name, but this does not convey the broader geographic nuance possible in Greek usage, which could include both provincial and non-administrative senses in different sources.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of an adjective from a name of uncertain derivation; (the) Illyrican (shore), i.e. (as a name itself) Illyricum, a region of Europe:--Illyricum.

Root Family

Ἰλλυρικόν (Illyrikon) — pertaining to Illyria, Illyrian, of Illyricum, region of Illyricum

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2437-01 Ἰλλυρικοῦ illurikou N GEN N SG Illyricum of Illyricum of Illyricum 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2437-01 Romans 15:19 Ἰλλυρικοῦ illurikou N GEN N SG Illyricum of Illyricum of Illyricum