Σαμοθρᾴκη (Samothrakē)
Samothrakē
Samothrace
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Samothrakē refers to the Greek island of Samothrace, situated in the Aegean Sea near the coast of Thrace. It appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 16:11 as part of Paul’s second missionary journey.
During this trip, Paul and his companions sailed from Troas directly to Samothrace before reaching Neapolis. The island was historically known for its ancient mysteries and sanctuary, but here it serves primarily as a geographical marker in the narrative of the early church’s expansion into Europe.
The name itself combines elements meaning "Thrace" and potentially referring to rags or signs, though its exact etymology remains debated among scholars. In biblical context, it simply identifies this specific location where Paul briefly stopped before continuing his journey to Macedonia.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Samothrace appears in Acts 16:11 as a brief stop on Paul’s journey from Troas to Macedonia. This small island in the Aegean Sea marks a moment of transition, where the gospel message moved from Asia into Europe for the first time. Though we know little about Paul’s time there, the text highlights how God uses ordinary travel and geography to advance His purposes.
For believers today, this detail reminds us that every step in our journey matters, even the quiet or uncertain ones. Just as Paul trusted God’s direction while sailing past Samothrace, we can trust that God is guiding our paths, whether we are making bold leaps or taking small steps forward. His plan unfolds in both the dramatic and the mundane.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Samothrace,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Σαμοθρᾴκην,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 16:11
Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;
This verse marks the geographical pivot where Paul’s mission shifts from Asia to Europe, with Samothrace serving as the immediate waypoint before reaching Neapolis.