Σελεύκεια (Seleukeia)
Seleukeia
Seleucia
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Seleukeia refers to a coastal city in Syria, serving as the primary harbor for the inland metropolis of Antioch. Located roughly sixteen miles from Antioch at the mouth of the Orontes River, it functioned as the vital maritime gateway for the region. The name itself derives from Seleukos, honoring the Syrian king Seleucus I Nicator, and carries the meaning "white light."
In the New Testament, this location appears only once, in Acts 13:4. It is here that Paul and Barnabas set sail from Antioch for their first missionary journey to Cyprus. The mention of Seleukeia highlights the practical logistics of early Christian expansion, showing how the gospel moved from a major urban center through established trade routes and ports to reach new territories.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Seleukeia was the bustling port city that served as the gateway for Antioch, a major center of early Christian activity. When Paul and Barnabas departed from here in Acts 13:4, they were not just leaving a location; they were stepping into a mission guided by the Holy Spirit. This brief mention reminds us that God often uses ordinary places and practical logistics to advance His work.
For your faith, this word highlights how the gospel spreads through real-world connections. It shows that divine guidance does not ignore human systems like trade routes or harbors but works through them. You can find comfort in knowing that your own steps, however small or mundane, are part of a larger story of outreach and service.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Seleucia,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Σελεύκειαν,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 13:4
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.
This verse marks the specific departure point for Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey, illustrating how the Holy Spirit directed their physical movement from a major urban center to new territories.