Φρυγία

Phrygía

G5435 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Phrygia, a geographic region in west-central Anatolia (Asia Minor) known for its distinct cultural and linguistic identity under Greek and Roman rule; used in the New Testament and other Koine sources to designate either the territory, its inhabitants, or things associated with this region. While primarily functioning as a place name, the term occasionally takes on broader connotations of local ethnicity or provincial affiliation depending on context.

Semantic Range

Phrygia (region of Asia Minor), the territory of Phrygia, things pertaining to Phrygia, the people or inhabitants of Phrygia

Root / Etymology

Probably of pre-Greek (Anatolian or foreign) origin; not transparently related to known Indo-European Greek roots. The Hellenized form Φρυγία (Phrygia) appears in classical sources as the name of the region and its people. The name may originate from the Phryges (Greek: Φρύγες), the traditional self-designation of the inhabitants.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Phrygia is attested in Homer (Iliad) and throughout classical literature as a significant region in central-western Anatolia, noted for its indigenous Anatolian culture before Hellenization. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, 'Phrygia' refers both to a defined administrative territory and a larger ethnogeographic area known for its distinct language and religious practices. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 2:10; 16:6; 18:23), Φρυγία denotes a region traversed by early followers of Jesus, marking the geographic spread of their activity. The term refers purely to geography or cultural affiliation; later religious or ethnic connotations found in English translation (such as 'Phrygian Jews') derive from context rather than the term Φρυγία itself. No evidence suggests any theological meaning.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably of foreign origin; Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor:--Phrygia.

Root Family

uncertain (bótrys) — proper name, personal name

Root uncertain Phrygia (place name), region, territory
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1009 βότρυς clusters
G1050 Γάϊος to Gaius
G1055 γαλήνη calm stillness
G108 Ἄζωτος Ashdod
G1148 Δαλμανουθά of Dalmanoutha

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5435-01 Φρυγίαν phrugian N ACC F SG Phrygia Phrygia (region) Phrygia 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5435-01 Acts 2:10 Φρυγίαν phrugian N ACC F SG Phrygia Phrygia (region) Phrygia
G5435-01 Acts 16:6 Φρυγίαν phrugian N ACC F SG Phrygia Phrygia (region) Phrygia
G5435-01 Acts 18:23 Φρυγίαν phrugian N ACC F SG Phrygia Phrygia (region) Phrygia