Πισιδία (Pisidia)
Pisidia
Pisidia
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Pisidia is a proper noun referring to a rugged region in the southern part of Asia Minor, located north of Pamphylia and west of Lycaonia. The name likely derives from a foreign root meaning "pitchy," perhaps alluding to the pine forests or resinous terrain characteristic of the area. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in the Book of Acts as a geographical marker for Paul’s missionary travels.
The term occurs only twice, both in Acts 14:24, where it describes the path taken by Paul and Barnabas as they traveled through Pisidia on their way to Asia. This brief mention highlights the region's role as a corridor connecting the coastal provinces with the interior highlands of Galatia. The sources identify it as part of the larger Roman province of Galatia during this period.
While not a theological term, its usage anchors the narrative in real geography, showing how the early church spread through established Roman roads and diverse cultural zones. The word serves as a reminder that the gospel message moved across physical landscapes, reaching communities in mountainous regions like Pisidia alongside those in major urban centers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Pisidia was not a place of comfort, but a rugged highland in Asia Minor known for its steep terrain and pine forests. When Paul and Barnabas traveled through this region, they moved away from the coastal ease of Perga into the interior mountains. This journey reminds us that the spread of the gospel often involved difficult physical landscapes and cultural shifts.
For your faith life, this geography offers a quiet encouragement. The early church did not stay in safe, familiar zones. It moved through rough country to reach new people. Your own spiritual path may feel like a climb at times, but you are walking in the footsteps of those who trusted God to guide them through unknown and challenging places.
God’s mission is not limited by geography or difficulty. The message reached the highlands just as it reached the cities. This history shows that no terrain is too hard for the gospel to cross, and no journey is beyond His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Pisidia,1×
- Pisidia1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Πισιδίαν,1×
- Πισιδίαν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 13:14
But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.
This verse marks the entry point into Pisidia, showing the missionaries leaving the coast to engage with a new cultural and religious center in Antioch.
-
Acts 14:24
They passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.
This occurrence highlights the deliberate choice to pass through the rugged highlands of Pisidia rather than taking an easier coastal route, emphasizing their commitment to reaching the interior regions.