Acatan
LocationsGeographical Setting
ACATAN is a textual corruption of Antioch, a major city in the Roman province of Pisidia visited by Paul and Barnabas.
What is the meaning of Acatan in the Bible?
ACATAN is a textual variant found in certain manuscripts of Acts 13:14, resulting from a scribal error that substitutes the name of Antioch in Pisidia.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying this variant clarifies the geographical context of Paul's first missionary journey, ensuring readers correctly locate the city where Paul and Barnabas spoke in the synagogue.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Acatan (located near modern Antioch of Pisidia, near Yalvaç, Turkey) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Acatan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Acatan clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Acts 13:14
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Acatan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/acatan/