Topical Encyclopedia
Mysia is a region of significant historical and biblical interest located in the northwest part of Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. In the context of the New Testament, Mysia is mentioned in the Book of Acts as part of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys.
Geographical Context:Mysia was bordered by the regions of Bithynia to the east, Lydia to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the west. It was known for its varied landscape, which included both coastal areas and inland highlands. The region was strategically important due to its location along major trade routes and its proximity to the Dardanelles, a crucial waterway connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara.
Biblical References:Mysia is specifically mentioned in
Acts 16:7-8 during Paul's second missionary journey. The Berean Standard Bible states: "And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas." This passage highlights the guidance of the Holy Spirit in directing the apostles' mission work, emphasizing divine intervention in the spread of the Gospel.
Historical and Cultural Background:In the first century, Mysia was under Roman control, having been incorporated into the Roman province of Asia. The region was known for its diverse population, which included Greeks, Romans, and indigenous peoples. This cultural diversity is reflected in the various religious practices and deities worshiped in the area, which would have presented both challenges and opportunities for early Christian evangelists.
Significance in Early Christianity:The mention of Mysia in the Acts of the Apostles underscores the dynamic nature of early Christian missions. The apostles' journey through Mysia, although brief, is indicative of the broader strategy to reach the major urban centers of the Roman Empire with the message of Christ. The decision to bypass Mysia and proceed to Troas, as directed by the Holy Spirit, ultimately led to the significant vision of the "man of Macedonia," which further expanded the mission into Europe (
Acts 16:9-10).
Archaeological Insights:Archaeological findings in Mysia have provided valuable insights into the region's history and culture during the Roman period. Excavations have uncovered remnants of ancient cities, such as Pergamum and Assos, which were significant urban centers in Mysia. These sites reveal the architectural and cultural influences of both Greek and Roman civilizations, offering a glimpse into the environment in which early Christians lived and preached.
Conclusion:Mysia's mention in the New Testament, though brief, is a testament to the early Church's commitment to spreading the Gospel across diverse regions and cultures. The guidance of the Holy Spirit in directing the apostles' paths serves as a reminder of the divine orchestration behind the missionary efforts of the early Church.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Mysiacriminal; abominable
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Mysia(land of beech trees) (Acts 16:7,8) was the region about the frontier of the provinces of Asia and Bithynia. The term is evidently used in an ethnological, not a political, sense.
ATS Bible Dictionary
MysiaA province in the northwest corner of Asia Minor bounded north by the Propontis, west by the Aegean Sea, south by Lydia, and east by Bithynia. Paul preached in this country on his first journey to Europe,Acts 16:7-8.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A province in the north-west of Asia Minor. On his first voyage to Europe (
Acts 16:7, 8) Paul passed through this province and embarked at its chief port Troas.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MYSIAmish'-i-a (Musia): A country in the northwestern part of Asia Minor, which formed an important part of the Roman province of Asia. Though its boundaries were always vague, it may be said to have extended on the North to the Sea of Marmora on the East to Bithynia and Phrygia, on the South to Lydia, and on the West to Hellespont. According to some authors it included the Troad. Its history is chiefly that of important cities, of which Assos, Troas, and Adramyttium on the border of Lydia, are mentioned in the New Testament. When Mysia became a part of the Roman province of Asia in 190 B.C., its old name fell into disuse, and it was then generally known as the Hellespontus. According toActs 16:7, 8, Paul passed through the country, but without stopping to preach, until he reached Troas on the coast, yet tradition says that he founded churches at Poketos and Cyzicus. Onesiphorus, who was martyred some time between 109 and 114 A.D., during the proconsulate of Adrian, is supposed to have evangelized this part of Asia. See The Expository Times, IX, 495 f.
E. J. Banks
Greek
3465. Musia --Mysia, a province of Asia Minor...Mysia, a province of Asia Minor. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Musia Phonetic Spelling: (moo-see'-ah) Short Definition:
Mysia Definition:
Mysia...98. Adramuttenos -- of Adramyttium, a seaport ofMysia
... of Adramyttium, a seaport ofMysia. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
Adramuttenos Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ram-oot-tay-nos') Short Definition: belonging...
4010. Pergamos -- Pergamum, a city ofMysia
... Pergamum, a city ofMysia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Pergamos
Phonetic Spelling: (per'-gam-os) Short Definition: Pergamum Definition...
5174. Troas -- Troas, a city near the Hellespont (ie Dardanelles)
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Troas Phonetic Spelling: (tro-as')
Short Definition: Troas Definition: Troas, a harbor city ofMysia....
789. Assos -- Assos, a city on the W. coast of Asia Minor
... Minor. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Assos Phonetic Spelling:
(as'-sos) Short Definition: Assos Definition: Assos, a port ofMysia, in the...
Library
How Vespasian was Received at Rome; as Also How the Germans...
... That The Sarmatians OverranMysia, But Were Compelled To Retire To Their Own Country
Again.... And thus had this war inMysia a sudden conclusion....
That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian...
... 2. In the mean time, Antonius Primus took the third of the legions that were in
Mysia, for he was president of that province, and made haste, in order to fight...
Why Paul Went to Macedonia
... When they reachedMysia they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did
not permit them; so passing byMysia they went down to Troas....
The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... throughout Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost
to preach the word in Asia, after they were come toMysia, they assayed to...
Acts xv. 35
... For, it says, "After they were come toMysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia:
but the Spirit suffered them not." (v.7.) Wherefore they were forbidden, he...
The Exordium.
... following manner. There is said to be a certain village called Ardaba [2168]
in theMysia, which touches Phrygia. [2169] There, they...
Elucidation.
... te`n phrugian Musi'a. Rufinus renders it, apud Phrygiam Mysi?? civitatem; others
render it, apud Mysiam Phrygi??; Migne takes it as defining thisMysia to be...
Rejection of Errors
... When they came to the border ofMysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but
the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to (Acts 16:6-7)."....
Acts XXVII
... As the ship belonged to Adramyttium, which is on the coast ofMysia, it was now
homeward bound, and was not expected to take the prisoners further than its own...
The Cry of the Heathen
... And "after they had come toMysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit
suffered them not." The apostle was like Abraham of old; he went forth, not...
Thesaurus
Mysia (2 Occurrences)...MYSIA.
... When
Mysia became a part of the Roman province of Asia in 190 BC, its old
name fell into disuse, and it was then generally known as the Hellespontus.
...Troas (6 Occurrences)
... A city on the coast ofMysia, in the north-west of Asia Minor, named after ancient
Troy, which was at some little distance from it (about 4 miles) to the north...
My'sia (2 Occurrences)
My'sia.Mysia, My'sia. Mysteries .... Acts 16:7 When they had come oppositeMysia,
they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn't allow them. (See RSV)....
Pergamos (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The chief city ofMysia, in Asia Minor. One of the
"seven churches" was planted here (Revelation 1:11; 2:17)....
Asia (22 Occurrences)
... a'-shi-a (Asia): A Roman province embracing the greater part of western Asia Minor,
including the older countries ofMysia, Lydia, Caria, and a part of Phrygia...
Lydia (5 Occurrences)
... lid'-ia (Ludia): An important country in the western part of Asia Minor bounded
on the North byMysia, on the East by Phrygia, on the South by Caria, and on...
Thyatira (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia
andMysia. Its modern name is Ak-hissar, ie, "white castle...
Pergamum (2 Occurrences)
... pur'-ga-mum (he Pergamos, or to Pergamon): 1. History: Pergamos, to which the ancient
writers also gave the neuter form of the name, was a city ofMysia of the...
Adramyttium (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A city of Asia Minor on the coast ofMysia,
which in early times was called AEolis. The ship in which...
Assos (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A sea-port town of Proconsular Asia, in the district
ofMysia, on the north shore of the Gulf of Adramyttium....
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