Πτολεμαΐς (Ptolemais)
Ptolemais
Ptolemais
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Ptolemais identifies a coastal city in ancient Phoenicia, situated roughly halfway between Tyre and Caesarea. It appears only once in the New Testament, marking a key stop on Paul’s journey to Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 21:7.
Historically, the settlement was renamed by Ptolemy Lathyrus around 103 BC after he captured and rebuilt it. While some sources suggest the name might relate to "warlike," its primary significance lies in its geography as a maritime hub on the eastern Mediterranean shore.
For the biblical narrative, this location serves as a concrete marker of Paul’s travels. The text notes that his companions stayed there for seven days, highlighting the city’s role as a familiar port of call for travelers moving along the coast during the first century.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Acts 21:7 mentions Ptolemais as a place where Paul and his traveling companions stopped to greet fellow believers. This brief note highlights how early Christians maintained connections across different regions, using known ports like this one to share encouragement during long journeys.
For your own life, this reminds us that faith is lived out in community. Even when travel or work takes you far from home, reaching out to others can strengthen your spirit. The simple act of staying with brothers and sisters shows how shared presence supports us through uncertain times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ptolemais,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Πτολεμαΐδα,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 21:7
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and stayed with them one day.
This verse marks Ptolemais as a specific stop where Paul’s group rested for seven days, showing its role as a familiar port for early Christian travelers.