Province
LocationsGeographical Setting
A territorial division of the Roman Empire governed by a provincial administrator.
What is the meaning of Province in the Bible?
A province originated as the jurisdictional sphere of a Roman magistrate and evolved into a defined territorial unit within the Roman administrative system. This structure developed through three distinct phases, beginning in 227 BC and continuing through the establishment of the Empire.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the provincial framework clarifies the political and administrative context of the New Testament, specifically regarding the jurisdiction of Roman officials like Pontius Pilate and the spread of the early church across imperial territories.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Province in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Province 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.