Μίλητος (Milētos)
Milētos
Miletus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Miletus was a prominent maritime city in ancient Caria, located near the mouth of the Maeander River. Although it is not mentioned in the Old Testament or the Gospels, it appears three times in the New Testament, primarily within the book of Acts and Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
The name likely derives from a word meaning "pure white fine wool," reflecting the city’s reputation for textile production. It served as a major port and was considered the mother city of about eighty colonies. The town is also historically noted as the birthplace of early Greek philosophers such as Thales and Anaximander.
In Scripture, Miletus holds significance as the place where Paul summoned the elders of Ephesus for a final farewell (Acts 20:17). Later, Paul mentions leaving his companion Trophimus ill there while traveling to Macedonia (2 Timothy 4:20). These brief references anchor the city in the narrative of early Christian missionary journeys.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Miletus appears in Scripture not as a center of miracle or doctrine, but as a place of parting. It was a busy port city known for trade and philosophy, yet here it becomes the backdrop for one of the most tender moments in Paul’s ministry. He gathers the elders from Ephesus to say goodbye, knowing he will likely never see them again. This setting reminds us that our faith is lived out in real places, with real people, often amid the ordinary rhythms of travel and work.
The brief mention of leaving Trophimus sick there also shows that mission work involves vulnerability. Even apostles faced illness and separation. These details ground the gospel in human experience. We are not called to a faith detached from reality, but one that walks through it with others, offering comfort and presence even when goodbyes are hard.
When we face transitions or farewells, we can look to this place. It teaches us that community matters deeply, and that staying connected in love is part of the journey. May you find peace in your own moments of letting go, trusting that God holds both the departures and the arrivals.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Miletus2×
- Miletus.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Μίλητον.1×
- Μιλήτῳ1×
- Μιλήτου1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 20:17
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the assembly.
This verse captures the emotional weight of Paul’s farewell, showing how he prioritized shepherding relationships even as his journey neared its end.
-
II Timothy 4:20
Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.
Here the word highlights the practical realities of ministry, where illness and separation were part of the apostolic experience.
-
Acts 20:15
Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.
This reference places Miletus in the broader narrative of Paul’s travels, showing it as a stop on his final journey to Jerusalem.