Λιβύη (Libuē)
Libuē
Libya
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Libuē refers to Libya, the region of North Africa situated west of Egypt. In the New Testament era, this term primarily denoted the coastal area known as Cyrenaica, with its capital at Cyrene. The sources suggest the name may derive from a root meaning "afflicted" or "weeping," though this etymology is noted as probable rather than certain.
Its single biblical appearance in Acts 2:10 places it within the list of regions represented by Jews and proselytes at Pentecost. By including Libya, the text highlights the wide reach of the early Christian message, extending from Jerusalem to the western edges of the known African continent. The word serves as a geographical marker for a significant diaspora community rather than carrying deep theological symbolism.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read Acts 2, it is easy to focus on the miracle of languages or the crowd in Jerusalem. Yet Luke takes time to list places far from the center of Jewish life. Among them is Libya, specifically the region around Cyrene. This detail reminds us that the gospel was never meant to stay local. It reached people in distant provinces who had traveled long distances to be present.
For your own faith, this word points to a simple truth: God’s message crosses borders. Whether you feel close to or far from the church community, the invitation is wide. The early believers included those from the western edges of the known world. You are part of that same broad story today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Libya1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Λιβύης1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 2:10
Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
This verse lists Libya as one of the specific regions represented by devout Jews and proselytes at Pentecost, showing the geographic reach of the early Christian witness.