Brief Overview of Δέρβη (G1191: Dérbē)

Dérbē (pronounced DER-bay) is a feminine noun that refers to the name of an ancient city in the region of Lycaonia, which is located in what is now modern-day Turkey. The city of Derbe was significant in the early Christian period, particularly in the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. The name Δέρβη does not have a direct root word in Greek, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific geographical location.

Root Word and Part of Speech:

• Root Word: The name Δέρβη does not derive from another Greek word but is a proper noun.
• Part of Speech: Feminine Noun.

Primary Meanings:

• Derbe: The primary meaning of Δέρβη is the name of the city itself. It was a city of importance in the region of Lycaonia during the Roman period and is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament as a place visited by the Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys.

Scripture References

1. Acts 14:6: “They became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe (Δέρβη, Dérbē), and to the surrounding country.”

• Transliteration: Dérbē

1. Acts 14:20-21: “But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe (Δέρβη, Dérbē). When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.”

• Transliteration: Dérbē

1. Acts 16:1: “Paul came also to Derbe (Δέρβη, Dérbē) and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.”

• Transliteration: Dérbē

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Detailed Description

BDAG (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature) identifies Δέρβη as the name of an ancient city located in Lycaonia, highlighting its significance as a site of early Christian missionary activity. BDAG notes that Derbe was one of the cities visited by Paul and Barnabas during their missionary journeys, and it was a place where the early Christian message was preached and accepted by many.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon provides a similar definition, describing Δέρβη as a city of Lycaonia in Asia Minor. Thayer’s emphasizes the city’s role in the spread of Christianity in the region, noting that it was one of the key locations in Paul’s missionary work. The lexicon also mentions the city’s geographical and cultural context within the Roman Empire.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary explains that Δέρβη was a city that played an important role in the early Christian period. Vine’s highlights that Derbe was one of the few cities where Paul and his companions did not face persecution, making it a significant location for the early Church’s growth and expansion in Asia Minor.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance provides a straightforward definition of Δέρβη as the name of a city in Lycaonia, focusing on its role as a destination in Paul’s missionary journeys.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

1. Strabo’s “Geography”: Strabo mentions Derbe in his geographical descriptions of the region of Lycaonia. He notes its location and significance as a city within the Roman Empire, emphasizing its role in regional trade and governance.
2. Pliny the Elder’s “Natural History”: Pliny refers to Derbe as one of the cities in the region of Lycaonia, discussing its location and its importance within the broader context of Roman provincial organization.
3. Ptolemy’s “Geographia”: Ptolemy includes Derbe in his descriptions of the cities and regions of Asia Minor, noting its coordinates and its role as a significant urban center in the Roman province of Galatia.

Summary

Dérbē (G1191) is a Greek feminine noun referring to the city of Derbe, an important location in the region of Lycaonia in Asia Minor. The city is particularly noted for its role in the early Christian period, as it was one of the cities visited by the Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys. Derbe was a site where the Christian gospel was preached and accepted, making it a significant location in the spread of early Christianity. Classical Greek literature, including works by Strabo, Pliny the Elder, and Ptolemy, also mention Derbe, highlighting its geographical and cultural importance in the Roman Empire. The city’s historical and biblical significance makes Δέρβη an essential term in understanding the context of early Christian missions and the spread of the gospel in Asia Minor.