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Elymaeans

Locations
Modern Location Khuzestan Province, Iran
Coordinates 31.4167, 49.0833

Geographical Setting

The Elymaeans were an ancient Iranian people inhabiting the region of Susiana, corresponding to modern-day Khuzestan in southwestern Iran.

What is the meaning of Elymaeans in the Bible?

The Elymaeans were an ancient Iranian people inhabiting the region of Susiana, corresponding to modern-day Khuzestan in southwestern Iran.

SIGNIFICANCE

Identifying the Elymaeans as the inhabitants of Susiana clarifies the geographical setting of Daniel's visions, which frequently reference the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the city of Susa, anchoring the prophetic narrative in the specific political landscape of the Persian Empire.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Elymaeans (located near modern Khuzestan Province, Iran) 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 Elymaeans in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Elymaeans clarify?

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

"Elymaeans." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/elymaeans/
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