Lydian
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient kingdom situated in the western part of Asia Minor, centered around the Hermus River valley.
What is the meaning of Lydian in the Bible?
Lydian refers to the ancient kingdom of Lydia in western Asia Minor, a region celebrated for its wealth and the invention of coinage before being conquered by the Persian Empire in the sixth century BCE.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the Lydian context clarifies the economic and cultural backdrop of the Persian Empire, which governed the lands where many biblical events took place and facilitated the spread of Greek language and thought that shaped the New Testament era.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Lydian in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Lydian 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.