Συρία (Suria)
Suria
Syria
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun Suria identifies the ancient region known in English as Syria, a territory stretching from the Taurus and Amanus mountains in the north to Palestine in the south, and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Euphrates River. The lexicon notes that its name likely derives from Hebrew roots, carrying the sense of "exalted" or highland.
In the New Testament, this geographical marker appears eight times, primarily within the narrative of Acts where it tracks the movement of early Christian missionaries. Luke mentions the region in connection with specific events, such as the census under Quirinius (Luke 2:2) and Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (Acts 18:18; 20:3; 21:3). The apostolic council also directed letters to believers in Syria, highlighting its role as a key hub for the spreading church.
Translators consistently render Συρία as "Syria," preserving the historical identity of this significant Roman province. Its inclusion in the biblical text underscores the geographical scope of the gospel message, moving beyond Judea into the broader Hellenistic world where Jewish and Gentile communities intersected.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Syria appears in the New Testament not just as a map coordinate, but as a stage for the early church’s growth. In Matthew 4:24, news of Jesus’ healing power spread across this entire region, showing how the gospel moved quickly beyond local boundaries to touch many lives.
Later, in Acts, we see Paul and other missionaries traveling through Syria repeatedly. These journeys were not merely travel logs; they show believers strengthening communities and sharing faith across cultural lines. The letter in Acts 15:23 reminds us that early Christians cared for one another across provincial borders, uniting diverse groups under shared hope.
For readers today, this word highlights how God’s work often crosses geographical and cultural divides. It invites us to see our own communities as part of a larger story of connection and care, where faith travels far beyond familiar places.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Syria4×
- of Syria1×
- Syria;1×
- Syria,1×
- Syria —1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Συρίαν3×
- Συρίας2×
- Συρίαν,2×
- Συρίαν·1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 4:24
The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.
This verse shows the widespread impact of Jesus’ ministry, as reports of His healing power reached all of Syria, indicating the gospel’s immediate reach beyond Judea.
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Acts 15:23
They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
The apostolic letter addressed to believers in Syria highlights the region's role in early church unity and the spread of Christian teaching to Gentile converts.
-
Acts 18:18
Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.
Paul’s journey through Syria with Priscilla and Aquila illustrates how missionary work involved personal relationships and travel across established Roman provinces.