Δαλματία (Dalmatia)
Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Dalmatia is a proper noun referring to a geographic region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. In the New Testament, it appears only once, serving as a specific location in the narrative of Paul’s ministry.
The passage records that Demas deserted Paul and went to Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10). This brief mention anchors the letter’s personal reflections in real geography, highlighting the wide reach of early Christian networks across the Roman Empire. The region was historically part of Illyricum, a province known for its rugged terrain and strategic coastal access.
Etymologically, one source suggests a connection to a word meaning "priestly robe," though this origin is noted as probable rather than certain. Regardless of its roots, the name functions simply as a place marker in Scripture, reminding readers that the gospel message traveled far beyond Jerusalem and Judea into distant European territories.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Dalmatia appears in Scripture as a quiet footnote in one of Paul’s final letters, marking the destination of Demas, who chose to leave his mentor for Thessalonica. This single mention anchors the spiritual realities of faith and failure in real geography. It reminds us that the early church was not confined to Jerusalem but stretched across the Roman Empire, reaching rugged coastal regions like this one on the Adriatic Sea.
While Demas’s departure highlights the temptation to prioritize comfort over calling, the mere existence of a Christian presence there shows how far the gospel had traveled. For you, this word serves as a reminder that your faith is part of a vast, historic network. The message of Christ reached distant lands, and it continues to reach hearts today, regardless of where you stand on the map.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Dalmatia;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Δαλματίαν·1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 4:10
for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.
This verse records Demas’s departure to Dalmatia, illustrating how even those close to ministry can be drawn away by love for the present world.