Ἀβιληνή (Abilēnē)
Abilēnē
Abilene
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The proper noun Abilene refers to a specific district in ancient Syria, situated in the Anti-Lebanon mountains between Mount Lebanon and Mount Hermon. The name itself translates to "grassy meadow," reflecting the fertile nature of this small principality located near Damascus and Heliopolis.
This region appears only once in the New Testament, serving as a precise geographical marker in Luke 3:1. It is mentioned as the tetrarchy ruled by Lysias during the time when John the Baptist began his ministry. This single reference anchors the biblical narrative in a real, tangible political landscape of the first century.
As a foreign loanword, Abilene highlights the historical specificity of the Gospel accounts. By naming this particular territory alongside other known regions like Judea and Galilee, the text grounds the spiritual events in concrete history. The word reminds readers that the message of Jesus emerged within defined earthly borders and under specific local rulers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Abilene appears in Luke’s Gospel as a precise geographical marker, anchoring the narrative in real history. It was a small district ruled by Lysanias, mentioned alongside well-known regions like Judea and Galilee. This detail reminds us that God’s work unfolds within specific earthly borders and under actual rulers.
The name itself means 'grassy meadow,' suggesting a place of fertility and life. By including such specific locations, the biblical text invites readers to see spiritual truths grounded in tangible reality. It shows that faith is not abstract but connected to real places and people.
This historical precision encourages confidence in the Gospel accounts. When we read about these details, we are reminded that God’s message emerged within defined earthly contexts. It invites us to trust that the same God who guided history then is present with us now.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Abilene1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἀβιληνῆς1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:1
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
This verse lists Abilene as a tetrarchy ruled by Lysanias, providing specific political context for John the Baptist's ministry.