Topical Encyclopedia
Cappadocia is a region of significant historical and biblical importance, located in what is now modern-day Turkey. It is mentioned in the New Testament and holds a place in early Christian history. The region is characterized by its unique geological formations, including fairy chimneys and extensive underground cities, which have served as places of refuge and worship throughout history.
Biblical References:Cappadocia is mentioned explicitly in the New Testament in the Book of Acts and in the First Epistle of Peter. In
Acts 2:9, during the account of Pentecost, Cappadocians are listed among the diverse groups of people who were present in Jerusalem and heard the apostles speaking in their own languages: "Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia" (
Acts 2:9). This indicates that there were Jewish inhabitants from Cappadocia who had traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, highlighting the region's connection to the Jewish diaspora.
In
1 Peter 1:1, the apostle Peter addresses his epistle to the "elect, exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (
1 Peter 1:1). This reference suggests that there were early Christian communities established in Cappadocia, which were part of the broader spread of Christianity throughout Asia Minor.
Historical and Cultural Context:Cappadocia was a region known for its strategic location and cultural diversity. It was influenced by various empires, including the Hittites, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. The region's rugged terrain and natural fortifications made it a place of refuge for early Christians, especially during times of persecution. The Cappadocian Fathers, a group of influential theologians from the 4th century, including Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus, were instrumental in the development of Christian doctrine, particularly concerning the Trinity and the nature of Christ.
Geographical Significance:The geography of Cappadocia is marked by its volcanic landscape, which has been shaped over millennia by erosion. This has resulted in a unique topography that includes rock-cut churches, monasteries, and dwellings. These structures served as important centers for monastic life and Christian worship, especially during the Byzantine period.
Religious Influence:Cappadocia's contribution to Christian theology and monasticism is profound. The region became a center for Christian thought and asceticism, with its monastic communities playing a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Christian teachings. The Cappadocian Fathers' theological contributions were pivotal in the formulation of the Nicene Creed and the establishment of orthodox Christian beliefs.
In summary, Cappadocia holds a notable place in biblical history and early Christianity. Its mention in the New Testament underscores its role in the spread of the Gospel, while its historical and theological contributions continue to influence Christian thought and practice.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Cappadociathe same as Caphtor
ATS Bible Dictionary
CappadociaThe largest ancient province of Asia Minor; having Pontus on the north, mount Taurus, separating it from Cilicia and Syria, on the south, Galatia on the west, and the Euphrates and Armenia on the east. It was watered by the river Halys, and was noted for its fine pastures and its excellent breed of horses, asses, and sheep. There were many Jews residing in it,Acts 2:9. Christianity was early introduced there,1 Peter 1:1, among a people proverbial for dullness, faithlessness, and vice. SeeCRETE. Several celebrated Christian fathers flourished in this province, as Basil and the three Gregories; and their churches may be traced as late as the tenth century.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The easternmost and the largest province of Asia Minor. Christianity very early penetrated into this country (
1 Peter 1:1). On the day of Pentecost there were Cappadocians at Jerusalem (
Acts 2:9).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CAPPADOCIAkap-a-do'-shi-a (he Kappadokia): An extensive province in eastern Asia Minor, bounded by the Taurus mountains on the South, the Anti-Taurus and the Euphrates on the East, and, less definitely, by Pontus and Galatia on the North and West. Highest mountain, Argaeus, over 13,000 ft. above sea-level; chief rivers, the Pyramus now Jihan, Sarus now Sihon, and Halys now the Kuzul; most important cities, Caesarea Mazaca, Comana, Miletene now Malatia, and Tyana now Bor. At Malatia the country unrolls itself as a fertile plain; elsewhere the province is for the most part composed of billowy and rather barren uplands, and bleak mountain peaks and pastures.
The Greek geographers called Cappodax the son of Ninyas, thereby tracing the origin of Cappadocian culture to Assyria. Cuneiform tablets from Kul Tepe (Kara Eyuk), deciphered by Professors Pinches and Sayce, show that in the era of Khammurabi (see HAMMURABI) this extensive ruin on the ox-bow of the Halys and near Caesarea Mazaca, was an outpost of the Assyr-Bah Empire. A Hittite civilization followed, from about 2000 B.C. onward. Malatia, Gurun, Tyana and other old sites contain important and undoubted Hittite remains, while sporadic examples of Hittite art, architecture and inscriptions are found in many places, and the number is being steadily increased by fresh discovery. After the Hittites fade from sight, following the fall of Carchemish, about 718 B.C., Cappadocia emerges as a satrapy of Persia. At the time of Alexander the Great it received a top-dressing of Greek culture, and a line of native kings established an independent throne, which lasted until Cappadocia was incorporated in the Roman Empire, 17 A.D. Nine rulers bore the name of Ariarathes (the Revised Version (British and American) Arathes) the founder of the dynasty, and two were named Ariobarzanes. One of these kings is referred to in 1 Maccabees 15:22. The history of this Cappadocian kingdom is involved, obscure and bloody.
Pagan religion had a deep hold upon the population prior to the advent of Christianity. Comana was famous for its worship of the great goddess Ma, who was served, according to Strabo, by 6,000 priestesses, and only second to this was the worship paid to Zeus at Venasa.
Representatives from Cappadocia were present at Pentecost (Acts 2:9), and Peter includes the converts in this province in the address of his letter (1 Peter 1:1). Caesarea became one of the most important early centers of Christianity. Here the Armenian youth of noble blood, Krikore, or Gregory the Illuminator, was instructed in the faith to which he afterward won the formal assent of his whole nation. Here Basil governed the churches of his wide diocese and organized monasticism. His brother, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory Nazianzen, lived and labored not far away. Cappadocia passed with the rest of Asia Minor into the Byzantine Empire, but from its exposed position early fell under the domination of the Turks, having been conquered by the Seljukians in 1074.
G. E. White
Greek
2587. Kappadokia --Cappadocia, a province of Asia Minor...Cappadocia, a province of Asia Minor. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Kappadokia Phonetic Spelling: (kap-pad-ok-ee'-ah) Short Definition
...4899. suneklektos -- chosen together with
... 1 Pet 1:1,2: " 1 To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, , by the sanctifying work of the Spirit...
Library
The Writings of Alexander ofCappadocia
The Writings of Alexander ofCappadocia. <. The Writings of Alexander
ofCappadocia Alexander ofCappadocia. Translated by the Rev....
Ep. Clxxxiv. Bosporius, Bishop of Colonia inCappadocia Secunda...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. CLXXXIV. Bosporius, Bishop of Colonia in
Cappadocia Secunda, who had apparently taken a prominent part in?...
Epistle Lxxiv. Firmilian, Bishop of C??sarea inCappadocia, to...
... Epistle LXXIV. Firmilian, Bishop of C??sarea inCappadocia, to Cyprian, Against
the Letter of Stephen. ad 256. Argument."The Argument...
The Writings of Alexander ofCappadocia
The Writings of Alexander ofCappadocia. <....
Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in...
... Funeral Oration On The Great S. Basil, Bishop Of C??sarea InCappadocia. Funeral
Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea inCappadocia....
Thalassius is Ordained Bishop of C??sarea inCappadocia.
... Book VII. Chapter XLVIII."Thalassius is ordained Bishop of C??sarea in
Cappadocia. About this same time, under the seventeenth...
The First Canonical Epistle of Our Holy Father Basil, Archbishop...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. V. The First Canonical Epistle of Our Holy Father
Basil, Archbishop of C??sarea inCappadocia to Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium....
How Herod Took up Alexander and Bound Him; whom yet Archelaus King...
... CHAPTER 8. How Herod Took Up Alexander And Bound Him; Whom Yet Archelaus
King OfCappadocia Reconciled To His Father Herod Again....
Letter cxxxvii. To Antipater, on his Assuming the Governorship of...
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CXXXVII. To
Antipater, on his assuming the governorship ofCappadocia....
Life.
... [4] Of their children the names of two only have survived: Gregory [5] and Basil.
[6] The former became bishop of one of the sees ofCappadocia....
Thesaurus
Cappadocia (2 Occurrences)...CAPPADOCIA.
... After the Hittites fade from sight, following the fall of Carchemish,
about 718 BC,
Cappadocia emerges as a satrapy of Persia.
...Cappado'cia (2 Occurrences)
Cappado'cia.Cappadocia, Cappado'cia. Caprice . Multi-Version Concordance
Cappado'cia (2 Occurrences)....Cappadocia, Cappado'cia. Caprice . Reference Bible
Pontus (3 Occurrences)
... The name was geographical, not ethnical, in origin, and was first used to designate
that part ofCappadocia which bordered on the "Pontus," as the Euxine was...
Lycaonia (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An inland province of Asia Minor, on the west of
Cappadocia and the south of Galatia. It was a Roman province...
Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... nations. One division moved eastward toward Media, another westward, where
they conqueredCappadocia and made it their special abode....
Arathes
... a-ra'-thez (the King James Version Araiarthes; Arathes; Ariarathes): King ofCappadocia,
163-130 BC Educated in Rome, he imbibed Roman ideas and became a...
Amorites (82 Occurrences)
... as well as in the cuneiform Tell el-Amarna Letters, and the Hittite archives recently
discovered at Boghaz-keui, the site of the Hittite capital inCappadocia....
Hittites (39 Occurrences)
... to have been partly Semitic and partly Mongolic; and the same mixed race is represented
by the Hittite records recently discovered inCappadocia and Pontus....
Philistines (224 Occurrences)
... In the Septuagint of this passage (and in Amos 9:7)Cappadocia stands for
Caphtor (Kaphtor), and other versions have the same reading....
Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... and gazelles. Horses were imported fromCappadocia; ducks were kept, and
mastiffs were employed in hunting. IV. Population. The...
Resources
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