Τύριος (Turios)
Turios
Tyre
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective tyríos describes something or someone belonging to the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre. In the New Testament, it appears only once in Acts 12:20, where it modifies "Sidonians" to identify them as people from that neighboring coastal region. The term functions as a straightforward geographic identifier, linking its subjects to the well-known maritime power of the Levant.
Derived directly from the name Tyre (G5184), the word carries no hidden theological metaphor in this single instance. Instead, it provides essential context for the narrative: these Sidonians were influential figures who maintained diplomatic and economic ties with Herod Antipas. Their ability to persuade the king highlights the political interconnectedness of the region during the first century.
While Tyre often appears in the Gospels as a symbol of Gentile inclusion or judgment, this specific adjective grounds the story in realpolitik. It reminds readers that the early church operated within a complex web of local alliances and rivalries, where even religious figures had to navigate the social obligations of their neighbors.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Turios simply identifies people from Tyre, a major coastal city known for trade and influence. In Acts 12:20, it helps us understand the political landscape surrounding Peter’s imprisonment. Herod Antipas faced pressure not just from religious leaders, but from neighboring powers who relied on his region for food.
This detail reminds us that the early church grew within a complex web of human relationships and economic needs. Faith does not exist in a vacuum; it is lived out amidst real-world dependencies and negotiations. Understanding this context helps us see how God’s work often advances through ordinary social interactions and diplomatic efforts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with [the] Tyrians1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Τυρίοις1×
Key Verses
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Acts 12:20
Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him and, having made Blastus, the king’s personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.
This verse uses the term to identify Sidonians who sought peace with Herod because their food supply depended on his territory.