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Λαοδίκεια

Laodíkeia

G2993 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Laodicea; name of a city in the region of Phrygia (sometimes categorized as part of Lydia) in western Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Primarily denotes the urban locale known as Λαοδίκεια, functioning as a geographic designation for an established city. In specific contexts, can refer to the inhabitants or community associated with Laodicea.

Semantic Range

Laodicea (the city in Phrygia), the community or assembly at Laodicea, an urban location named after Laodice

Root / Etymology

From the compound of λαός (people) and δίκη (justice, right), likely originally meaning 'justice of the people' or 'the people's righteousness/judgment.' Derived from Greek-language city-naming conventions, named after a woman named Laodice (Λαοδίκη); several Hellenistic cities bore this name, but the best-known biblical Laodicea was near the River Lycus in Asia Minor, founded or renamed in the 3rd c. BCE by Antiochus II of the Seleucid dynasty, honoring his wife Laodice.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Λαοδίκεια as a proper noun refers to a major city located near Colossae and Hierapolis in the Lycus Valley, noted in the Roman period for its wealth, medical school, and Jewish community. In the New Testament, Laodicea is mentioned in Colossians and the Book of Revelation (esp. Rev 3:14-22) as the site of an early Christ-following assembly. Ancient authors (Strabo, Pliny, etc.) reference Laodicea’s significance as a commercial and cultural center. In the LXX and other Greek literature, similar 'city of Laodice' forms occur for other Hellenistic foundations, showing the wider use of the naming convention. Standard translation as 'Laodicea' is accurate, though English readers should note the specificity of the historical site and the possible nuances connected to its name.

Translation Consistency

primary "Laodicea" 6 occurrences

This entry is a place name; the natural, consistent English rendering is the proper noun 'Laodicea.' It conveys the city itself and, by extension in context, the community/assembly of that city, matching the SILEX semantic range and typical English usage.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of λαός and δίκη; Laodicia, a place in Asia Minor:--Laodicea.

Root Family

Λαοδίκεια (Laodikeia) — people, justice, right, urban center

Root λαοδῑκ- people, justice, right, urban center (in derived sense)

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2993-01 Λαοδικίᾳ laodikia N DAT F SG Laodicea to Laodicea Laodicea 4
G2993-02 Λαοδίκιαν laodikian N ACC F SG Laodicea Laodicea Laodicea 1
G2993-03 Λαοδικίας laodikias N GEN F SG Laodicea of Laodicea Laodicea 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2993-01 Colossians 2:1 Λαοδικίᾳ laodikia N DAT F SG Laodicea to Laodicea Laodicea
G2993-01 Colossians 4:13 Λαοδικίᾳ laodikia N DAT F SG Laodicea to Laodicea Laodicea
G2993-01 Colossians 4:15 Λαοδικίᾳ laodikia N DAT F SG Laodicea to Laodicea Laodicea
G2993-03 Colossians 4:16 Λαοδικίας laodikias N GEN F SG Laodicea of Laodicea Laodicea
G2993-02 Revelation 1:11 Λαοδίκιαν laodikian N ACC F SG Laodicea Laodicea Laodicea
G2993-01 Revelation 3:14 Λαοδικίᾳ laodikia N DAT F SG Laodicea to Laodicea Laodicea
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