Phrygia
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient kingdom in west-central Anatolia that served as a major political and cultural entity from the Iron Age through the Roman period.
What is the meaning of Phrygia in the Bible?
Phrygia was an ancient kingdom located in west-central Anatolia, characterized by rugged mountainous terrain and high plateaus, with its capital at Gordion. The region experienced successive dominion by the Lydians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, maintaining a distinct cultural identity throughout these transitions.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Phrygia provides essential geographical and historical context for New Testament narratives, particularly Paul's missionary journeys through the region and the specific challenges faced by the early Christian communities in cities like Colossae and Laodicea.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Phrygia in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Phrygia clarify?
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.