Ἀδρίας (Adrias)
Adrias
Adriatic Sea
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Adrias refers to the Adriatic Sea, the body of water separating the Italian peninsula from the Balkan coast. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 27:27, describing the perilous situation of Paul’s shipwreck. The term originally denoted this specific northern extension of the Mediterranean but was sometimes used more broadly by sailors to describe the open waters between Italy, Greece, and Crete.
Its etymology traces back to Adria, an ancient town near the sea’s shore, rather than meaning "without wood" as some older sources suggest. This geographical marker grounds the narrative in a real-world setting, highlighting the distance traveled and the danger faced by those on board. The word serves as a concrete detail that anchors the spiritual journey of the apostle in physical history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Adriatic Sea was not just a backdrop for Paul’s journey; it was a place of intense uncertainty. In Acts 27:27, the ship is driven back and forth in these waters during a storm, leaving the crew guessing where they might end up. This detail reminds us that even when God has a plan, the path to get there can feel chaotic and out of our control.
When life feels like it is tossing you around with no clear direction, this word offers comfort. It shows that being in a difficult situation does not mean God has abandoned you. Paul was on that ship, yet he remained calm because he trusted the promise given to him. Your current struggles are seen, and they do not have the final say.
We often want straight lines and clear maps for our lives. But sometimes, we are in the 'Adriatic' moments, where we must wait and trust while the winds blow. This passage invites you to rest in the fact that God is with you in the storm, just as He was with Paul.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Adriatic,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἀδρίᾳ,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:27
But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.
This occurrence marks the peak of the storm's chaos, showing the sailors' confusion and highlighting that God's presence remains even when human understanding fails.