Πάφος
Páphos
G3974 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Páphos (Πάφος) is a proper noun denoting a city or locality on the southwestern coast of Cyprus. In the New Testament and Hellenistic sources, it refers specifically to either the 'Old Paphos' (near modern Kouklia), famous for its sanctuary of Aphrodite, or 'New Paphos', the Roman capital further west. Used exclusively as a toponym, it identifies a specific geographic location rather than a common noun or general concept.
Semantic Range
the city of Paphos in Cyprus, the region around Paphos, Old Paphos (cult center), New Paphos (Roman capital)
Root / Etymology
etymology uncertain. No certain Greek root; the origin may be pre-Greek or connected to Cypriot or Phoenician toponyms, reflecting the island's mixed cultural history. The name appears in early Greek sources as Πάφος; alternate ancient folk etymologies (connecting it with local legends or the goddess Aphrodite) are unsubstantiated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek and Hellenistic periods, Πάφος referred to an ancient Cypriot city and its region, noted as a cultic center of Aphrodite worship. By the early Roman period, 'Old Paphos' retained religious significance, while 'New Paphos' was the administrative capital. The New Testament (Acts 13:6,13) references 'Paphos' in connection with Paul and Barnabas' missionary journey, most likely indicating the capital city. Greek and Latin sources distinguish Old and New Paphos, but the term in the NT context typically refers to the larger administrative and cultural center. English Bible translations render Πάφος simply as 'Paphos', which matches the original usage. The name does not convey religious, ethnic, or other identities apart from geographical location. There is no significant difference in the sense of Πάφος between Septuagint, New Testament, and contemporary Greco-Roman sources.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain derivation; Paphus, a place in Cyprus:--Paphos.
Root Family
Πάφος (Paphos) — name of a place, city in Cyprus, geographic location
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3974-01 |
Πάφου | paphou | N GEN F SG |
Paphos | of Paphos | of Paphos | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3974-01 |
Acts 13:6 | Πάφου | paphou | N GEN F SG |
Paphos | of Paphos | of Paphos |
G3974-01 |
Acts 13:13 | Πάφου | paphou | N GEN F SG |
Paphos | of Paphos | Paphos |