Philadelphia
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient Hellenistic city in the Roman province of Asia, now known as Akhisar in western Turkey.
What is the meaning of Philadelphia in the Bible?
Philadelphia was a Hellenistic city in the Roman province of Asia, founded by Attalus II of Pergamon around 189 BC. Located on a major trade route, it was a prosperous commercial center renowned for its wine production and architectural grandeur, though it was situated in a seismically active region.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the city's history as a wealthy but earthquake-prone Roman colony provides essential context for the letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13, where Jesus promises to keep the believers safe from the hour of trial and establishes them as a firm, unshakable foundation.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Philadelphia in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Philadelphia 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.