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Samos

Locations
Modern Location Samos, Greece
Coordinates 37.7217, 26.8864

Geographical Setting

Samos is an Aegean island located off the coast of Asia Minor, historically significant as a center of Ionian culture and power.

What is the meaning of Samos in the Bible?

Samos is a prominent Ionian island situated in the Aegean Sea, east of the mainland of Asia Minor. The terrain is rugged and mountainous, dominated by Mount Kerkis, which rises to approximately 1,433 meters (4,698 feet).

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Samos provides context for the political and cultural landscape of the eastern Aegean during the biblical period, particularly regarding the interactions between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire, which influenced the broader geopolitical environment of the ancient Near East.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Samos (located near modern Samos, Greece) 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 Samos in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Samos 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

"Samos." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/samos/
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