Derbe
LocationsGeographical Setting
Derbe was an ancient city situated in the Lycaonian region of south-central Anatolia, serving as a key administrative and commercial hub during the Roman period.
What is the meaning of Derbe in the Bible?
Derbe was a city located in the southeastern Lycaonian plain, visited by the Apostle Paul during his first and second missionary journeys, and potentially during his third. It functioned as a significant urban center due to its position on a major Roman road and its role as a customs station.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Derbe's location and status as a Roman administrative center clarifies the geographical scope of Paul's missionary work and the logistical challenges he faced in establishing early Christian communities in remote regions of Asia Minor.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.