Ταβέρναι (Tabernai)
Tabernai
Taverns
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word tabernai is a direct borrowing from Latin, where it simply meant a shop or inn. In the New Testament, it appears only once in Acts 28:15 as part of the proper name Treis Tabernai, or "Three Taverns." This location was a well-known stopping point on the Appian Way, situated about thirty-three miles from Rome and ten miles beyond the Forum of Appius.
Its presence in Scripture highlights the practical realities of Paul’s journey to Rome. The fact that believers traveled this far out to meet him underscores the length of his escort and the significance of their support. The term itself carries no deep theological weight; it is a concrete geographical marker that grounds the narrative in the real world of Roman travel infrastructure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Paul’s journey to Rome was long and uncertain, yet Acts 28:15 shows us that he was not walking it alone. The mention of Three Taverns is a small detail, but it reveals something beautiful about the Christian community. Believers traveled from Rome, a distance of over thirty miles, just to meet Paul and offer their support.
This story reminds us that faith is often lived out in practical ways. It is not always about grand theological debates or dramatic miracles. Sometimes, it looks like showing up for someone who is struggling. The courage Paul found in those brothers was a gift of presence. We are called to be that kind of support for others, offering our time and attention when they need it most.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Taverns,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ταβερνῶν,1×
Key Verses
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Acts 28:15
From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
This verse highlights the extraordinary effort believers made to travel far from Rome to encourage Paul, showing how community support strengthens faith in difficult times.