Λυκία (Lukia)
Lukia
Lycia
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Lukia refers to Lycia, a rugged region in southwestern Asia Minor along the Mediterranean coast. As noted in Acts 27:5, this area was bounded by Pamphylia, Phrygia, and Caria, forming a distinct geographical zone during the Roman period.
Its name likely derives from a root meaning "wolfish," reflecting the wild nature of its mountainous terrain. Dodson’s lexicon describes it as a small Roman province, while Thayer highlights its physical boundaries. The term appears only once in the New Testament, marking Paul’s journey through this specific coastal region.
Translators consistently render Lukia as "Lycia," preserving the proper name without adding interpretive nuance. Its single occurrence serves to locate the narrative geographically, grounding the early church’s expansion in real-world settings. The word itself carries no theological weight beyond its function as a place-name.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Lycia appears in Acts 27:5 as the ship crosses the sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, arriving at Myra. This brief mention places Paul’s journey in a real landscape of rugged mountains and busy ports. Geography here is not just background; it shows how the early church moved through known trade routes to reach new people.
For your faith, this detail reminds us that God’s plans unfold in ordinary places. The apostle did not skip over Lycia; he sailed right through it. Your own life has its own regions and crossings. Trust that God is present in the mundane details of your path, guiding you through both calm waters and stormy seas.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Lycia.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Λυκίας.1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:5
When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
This verse marks the specific moment Paul’s ship leaves Pamphylia and enters Lycian waters at Myra, showing the practical route of his journey to Rome.