Thither Barnabas went to seek him when he felt the need of a helper in dealing with the new problems involved in the growth of the Antiochene church and the admission into it of Gentiles in considerable numbers (Acts 11:25). A while later, Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Paul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch (Acts 11:25). Learn more about Tarsus from the Easton’s Bible Dictionary. Create Account Log In. 1. Arsames, the satrap of Cilicia, failed to post a sufficient force at the pass, the garrison fled without resistance and Alexander thus entered the province without striking a blow. TEN NEW TESTAMENT CONVERSIONS by Francis Dixon (Scripture Portion: Acts 9:1-20) We have here the historical record of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the most important convert in the first century and perhaps in all centuries. Bible Study; New Testament; Bio: Saul of Tarsus. About 6 miles below the city the river broadened out into a considerable lake called Rhegma (Strabo xiv.672), which afforded a safe anchorage and was in great part fringed with quays and dockyards. At the same time it is certain that the character of his native city, its strong oriental element, its Greek constitution and speech, its position in the Roman Empire, its devotion to learning, must have made an impression upon one who, uniting Jewish nationality with membership of a Greek state and Roman citizenship, was to be the great interpreter to the Greco-Roman world of a religion which sprang from the soil of Judaism. A. H. Sayce, new ser., 6 vols., London, 1888-92, iv. "Entry for 'TARSUS'". I was as much on fire with zeal for God as you all are today. Reading the Bible is rewarding, and these plans make it easy! In the civil wars of Rome it took Caesars aide, sad on the occasion of a visit from him had its name changed to Juliopolis. The name Tarsus belongs to the city where the apostle Paul was born; a fact which Jesus mentions once (Acts 9:11) and Paul an additional two times (Acts 21:39, 22:3). Saul of Tarsus was born in approximately AD 5 in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia (in modern-day Turkey). As a young man, Paul/Saul was trained as a Pharisaic scribe, and his zeal for his community led him to be a thug. The Bible reveals very little about Paul's family. About 104 BC part of Cilicia became a Hem province, and after the Mithridatic Wars, during which Tarsus fell temporarily into the hands of Tigranes of Armenia, Pompey the Great reorganized the eastern portion of the Hem Empire (64-63 BC), and Tarsus became the capital of a new and enlarged province, administered by Hem governors who usually held office for a single year. 6 Instances - Page 1 of 1 Expand or Limit Your Search Results: ... Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, Acts 9:30 | View whole chapter | See verse in context Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. It stood on the banks of the river Cydnus, about 12 miles north of the Mediterranean. Two clear glimpses of the city are afforded us, thanks to the passage through it of Hellenic troops engaged upon eastern expeditions. In other words: in a world where academic credentials were everything, the Messiah turned out to be John Doe. In Bible versions: Tarsus: NET AVS NIV NRSV NASB TEV a capital city of the Roman province of Cilicia; the birthplace of Paul. A bath in the cold waters of the Cydnus which Alexander took while heated with his rapid advance brought on a fever which all but cost him his life (Arrian Anab. ACTS 22:3 In the Bible Verse Meaning 4. Use this table of contents to go to any section: Contents. Tarsus Bible Meaning: A flat basket Strong's Concordance #G5018, #G5019. Likewise, when the Lord called Ananias to find the blinded Saul in Damascus, he said, "Seek in the house of Judas [or the house of Judah] Saul, by name (ονοματι onomati; i.e. Alexandria, however, formed an exception, attracting a large number of foreign students and also sending out many of its younger citizens to other centers. His parents came from Gischala, in Galilee. Tarsus definition, the bones of the proximal segment of the foot; the bones between the tibia and the metatarsus, contributing to the construction of the ankle joint. It is at this time that Tarsus is first mentioned in the Bible, unless we are to accept the disputed identification with TARSHISH (which see). Bibles; Deals; More; Log In × Log In. Here you can find information about the history of ancient Turkey, about biblical sites to visit in Turkey and Greece, major Christian Saints, missionary journeys of St. Paul and Seven Churches of St. John. Links Here you will find a variety of links to do with Scripture resources, texts and commentary. Gradually, however, the original bed was allowed to become choked, and now the Cydnus flows wholly through Justinian's channel and passes to the East of the modern town. iii.4 f) For two centuries Tarsus had been the capital of a Persian satrapy, subject to oriental rather than to Hellenic influence, though there was probably a Hellenic element in its population, and its trade brought it into touch with the Greeks. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. It is probable that his forefathers had been among the Jews settled at Tarsus by Antiochus Epiphanes, who, without sacrificing nationality or religion, became citizens of a community organized after the Greek model. Meaning: winged; feathered . For coins, B. V. Head, Historia Numorum2, 729; G. F. Hill, British Museum Catalogue of Coins: Lycaonia, Isauria and Cilicia, lxxvi, 162. Tarsus Bible Meaning: A flat basket Strong's Concordance #G5018, #G5019. Tarsus Q-7 on the Map. Exact Match. Tarsus, a place in Asia Minor Greek: Ταρσός, tarsos (G5019) 3 King James Bible Verses. Be our patron for as little as one dollar a month: https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Tarsus.html, Tarsus; splendid city and prominent academy, The Passion of the Christ and the Theory of Everything, The Fate of Our World: The Bible, AI and Cryptocurrency. When Paul (still named Saul) converted, he went first to Damascus, and then to Jerusalem where he debated the Hellenized Jews with such zeal that they sought to kill him. Xenophon (Anab. Everything known about him comes from the biblical book of Acts, the epistles which make up most of the Christian New Testament, and other narratives (such as The Acts of Paul and Thecla) not included in the Bible. "tarsus" primary search results are listed below along with dictionary aides, FAQs, and Lexiconc. In fact, adds Strabo, Rome is full of Tarsians and Alexandrians. Ancient Tarsus - Important city of Cilicia near the mouth of the river Cydnus, dating back to the Mycenaean period. Antiochus III, defeated by the Romans in the battle of Magnesia (190 BC), was forced to evacuate most of his possessions in Asia Minor. The king made an agreement with Cyrus, who, after a delay of 20 days, caused by the refusal of his troops to march farther, set out from Tarsus for the Euphrates. Tarsus also was a place of much commerce. It was known for its wealth and schools of learning, which is why Apostle Paul described it as "no insignificant city" (Acts 21:39). Here is Tarsus in the Bible. ii.4; Q. Curtius Hist. 16682. See more. Soon after the middle of the 7th century it was captured by the Arabs, and for the next three centuries was occupied by them as their northwestern capital and base of operations against the Anatolian plateau and the Byzantine empire. Saul of Tarsus in the Bible. For many centuries it remained an oriental rather than a Hellenic city, and its history is almost a blank. Emperor Augustus personally made sure that Tarsus was peaceful, and in the wake of that the Tarseans established a university, which became a major center of Stoic philosophy, and according to the Greek historian Strabo, surpassed the great institutions of Athens and Alexandria in zeal for knowledge (XIV.v.12) Paul has an encounter with the Stoics of Athens in Acts 17:18, where they appear together with some Epicureans. Log In Don't have an account? ii.17,1), yet there is reason to believe that he resided there during part of his year of office. In 2 Macc 4:30 f we read that, about 171 "it came to pass that they of Tarsus and Mallus made insurrection, because they were to be given as a present to Antiochis, the king's concubine. He found the constitution a democracy, swayed and preyed upon by a corrupt clique headed by a certain Boethus, "bad poet and bad citizen," who owed his position partly to his ready and persuasive tongue, partly to the favor of Antony, whom he had pleased by a poem composed to celebrate the victory of Philippi. The city is mentioned only five times in the Bible, all in the book of Acts. An Advent Scripture Course, comprising 6 recorded presentations and a live webinar. of Tarsus was a city in ancient Cilicia located in the modern-day province of Mersin, Turkey.It is one of the oldest continually inhabited urban centers in the world, dating back to the Neolithic Period.It was built close by the Cydnus River (modern-day Berdan River) and was an important trade center for most of its history. Acts 9:11. It is a fascinating, but an elusive, quest to trace in Paul's life and writings the influence of his Tarsian ancestry, birth and early life. Share; Tweet +1; Pin; One could make a case that Saul of Tarsus (Paul) is the most remarkable follower Jesus ever had. The king therefore came to Cilicia in all haste to settle matters." Augustus made it a "free city." i.7). Cilicia thus became a frontier province and gained greatly in importance. pertinetes, III, 876. It is now a filthy, ruinous Turkish town, called Tersous. Jerome, it is true, claims that many Pauline words and phrases were characteristic of Cilicia, and some modern scholars profess to find traces, in the apostle's rhetoric and in his attitude toward pagan religion and secular learning, of Tarsian influence. After Alexander's death in 323 BC his vast empire was soon dismembered by the rivalries and wars of his powerful generals. Of the foundation of the city various traditions were current in antiquity, and it is impossible to arrive any certain conclusion, for such foundation legends often reflected the sympathies and wishes of a city's later population rather than the historic facts of its origin. What are the benefits of creating an account? During the time of Alexander the Great, who died in 323 BC, Tarsus was the most influential city in Asia Minor. Among the famous men who learned or taught at Tarsus, we hear of the Stoics Antipater, Archedemus, Nestor, Athenodorus surnamed Cordylion, the friend and companion of the younger Marcus Cato, and his more famous namesake (called Canaanites after the village of his birth), who was the tutor and confidant of Augustus, and who subsequently reformed the Tarsian constitution. General Editor. 1. That this settlement took the form of a compromise and the grant to Tarsus of at least a municipal independence we may infer from the fact that Tarsus struck its own coins from this reign onward. In 2 Maccabees 4:30 we read that, about 171 "it came to pass that they of Tarsus and Mallus made insurrection, because … From time to time we hear of rulers named Syennesis, who appear to have been vassal princes in a greater or less degree of dependence upon the oriental empires. It was the native place of the Apostle Paul (Acts 21:39). Though admitting that the city was an Argive colony, he emphasized its non-Hellenic character, and, while criticizing much in its institutions and manners, found but a single feature to commend, the strictness with which the Tarsian women were veiled whenever they appeared in public. It is at this time that Tarsus is first mentioned in the Bible, unless we are to accept the disputed identification with TARSHISH (which see). Later rabbis lauded Gamaliel for his knowledge, but he may be better known for his most famous pupil—another Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3), who later became the apostle Paul. For inscriptions see LeBas-Waddington, Voyage archeologique, III, numbers 1476; Inscr. By its literary schools, Tarsus rivalled Athens and Alexandria. Toward the close of the 4th century Cilicia was divided into two, and Tarsus became the capital of Cilicia Prima only. Hell. Both Jonah and Paul experienced moments of truth at sea during a storm — Jonah trying to get to Tarshish and Paul trying to get to Phoenix (same word, meaning palm; Acts 27:12) — and both attracted the attentions of monstrous carnivores (Jonah the great fish and Paul a venomous snake; Acts 28:3). Under the Persian Empire it was governed sometimes by satraps, sometimes by subject kings. Since nobody knows and everybody is guessing, here's what we here at Abarim Publications surmise: The first century historian Dio Chrysostom felt that both the city and its name were Phoenician (Or.33.40). Artemidorus and Diodorus the grammarians and Dionysides the tragic poet, a member of the group of seven writers known as "the Pleiad," complete Strabo's list of eminent Tarsians. He was born to Jewish parents who possessed Roman citizenship, a coveted privilege that their son would also possess. Tools. It was under the tutelage of Rabbi Gamaliel that Paul developed an expert knowledge of … (See PAUL .). Tarsus in the Bible. 2. Paul referred to himself as being "of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee". Bible," ii. Orr, James, M.A., D.D. Tarsus is an ancient city on the alluvial plain of ancient Cilicia, the birthplace of St. Paul (Acts of the Apostles 22:3). 18 et seq. Then YHWH made a plant grow for Jonah to sit under, and, after it withered (the Hebrew word for worm is the same as that for purple; the Phoenicians were famous for their purple trade), compared it to the city of Nineveh in which people suffered because of their ignorance (Jonah 4:11, also see Luke 23:34). The best account of Tarsus will be found in W. M. Ramsay, The Cities of Paul (London, 1907), 85-244; the same writer's articles on "Cilicia, Tarsus and the Great Taurus Pass" in the Geographical Journal, 1903, 357, and on "Tarsus" in HDB should also be consulted, as well as H. Bohlig, Die Geisteskultur yon Tarsos im augusteischen Zeitalter (Gottingen, 1913). In 2 Macc 4:30 f. we read that, about 171 "it came to pass that they of Tarsus and Mallus made insurrection, because they were to be given as a present to Antiochis, the king's concubine. Here at Abarim Publications we're pretty sure that the name Tarsus denoted some kind of hefty tree or even a forest of cedars (suggested by the prefixed ת). It's not clear where the name Tarsus comes from. Meaning: winged; feathered . Ramsay, followed by Schürer, has proved (see Hastings, "Dict. It was known for its wealth and schools of learning, which is why Apostle Paul described it as "no insignificant city" (Acts 21:39). The notes and commentaries are offered in four formats. According to the Talmud, the region of Cilicia was known for its production of cilicium, which was a coarse cloth made from goat-hair from which tents were made. The river itself, which flowed southward from the Taurus Mountains with a clear and swift stream, was navigable to light craft, and Cleopatra, when she visited Antony at Tarsus in 38 BC, was able to sail in her richly decorated barge into the very heart of the city (Plut. It was renowned as a place of education under the early Roman emperors. It is at this time that Tarsus is first mentioned in the Bible, unless we are to accept the disputed identification with TARSHISH (which see). It was characterized by the fact that the student body was composed almost entirely of natives, who, after finishing their course, usually went abroad to complete their education and in most cases did not return home, whereas in most universities the students were to a large extent foreigners, and the natives showed no great love of learning. Tarsus glossary term meaning as seen in the King James Bible. A less attractive view of the life in Tarsus is given by Philostratus in his biography of Apollonius of Tyana, who went there to study in the early part of Tiberius' reign (14-37 AD). Exact Match. House to House Heart to Heart. Saul Is Then Filled with the Spirit Saul was converted on the road to Damascus. When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he addressed the Roman commander in Greek, which showed that he was a learned man who flatteringly assumed that the commander knew his languages as well. i, p. 27, ed Schoene), that Sennacherib, king of Nineveh (705-681 BC), rounded the city, also ascribes to it an Assyrian origin. Here are 6 verses related to Tarsus. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus described the abode of the dead as having two compartments.One, a place of torment. First Appearance in History. Though Greeks, they inherited certain features of the old Persian policy and methods of rule; Cilicia was probably governed by a satrap, and there was no development within it of free city life. 47). ACTS 11:25 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. Proud member It must be admitted that these tales, taken by themselves, give us little aid. Saul, the future Saint Paul, was born in Tarsus a Roman Citizen and a devout Jew (Acts 22:28, Philippians 3:4-5). Adjective ארוז ('aruz) probably means firm, strong or dependable. On the other hand, the Greeks had their own traditions, claiming Tarsus as a Greek or semi-Gr foundation. Copy Options. 1915. Tarsus: The capitol of Cilicia in Asia Minor; Paul's Birthplace; Paul Sent To, from Jerusalem, to Avoid Assassination ; Paul Brought From, by Barnabas; Very High: Search Popularity … It was the native place of the Apostle Paul (Acts 21:39). Acts 9:11. and the Lord saith unto him, 'Having risen, go on unto the street that is called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas, one by name Saul of Tarsus, for, lo, he doth pray, YLT, BBE, WBS, MKJV, SAWYER, ANDERSON, WORRELL, MACE, WESLEY, ACV. the chief town of Cilicia, "no mean city" in other respects, but illustrious to all time as the birthplace and early residence of the apostle Paul. This is not the place to discuss in detail the later history of Tarsus, many passages of which are obscure and difficult. It was distinguished for its wealth and for its schools of learning, in which it rivalled, nay, excelled even Athens and Alexandria, and hence was spoken of as "no mean city." “I was born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but I was brought up here in the city, I received my training at the feet of Gamaliel and I was schooled in the strictest observance of our father’s Law. At Anchiale, about 12 miles Southeast of Tarsus, was a monument commonly known as the tomb of Sardanapalus, king of Assyria, bearing an inscription "in Assyrian letters" stating that that monarch "built Anchiale and Tarsus in a single day" (Strabo xiv. Tarsus / ˈ t ɑːr s ə s / (Hittite: Tarsa; Greek: Ταρσός Tarsós; Armenian: Տարսոն Tarson; Arabic: طَرَسُوس ‎ Ṭarsūs) is a historic city in south-central Turkey, 20 km (12 miles) inland from the Mediterranean.It is part of the Adana-Mersin metropolitan area, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in … Personalization. or. i.2, 21) tells how, in 40l BC, Cyrus the Younger entered Cilicia on his famous march against his brother Artaxerxes, and how some of his Greek mercenaries plundered Tarsus, which is described as a great and prosperous city, in which was the palace of King Syennesis. Acts 22:3-16 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Search the Bible ... Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. Ant. Apollon. Saul of Tarsus first appears in the biblical record as a witness to the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr to the cause of Christ—even “consenting” to his death (Acts 7:58; 9:1). Bible Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary - Tarsus Tarsus [N] [H] [S] the chief city of Cilicia. Saul of Tarsus Saul / Paul of Tarsus. Scripture References for tarsus in Naves Topical Bible (Bible History Online) So Ananias went and entered the house. When Alexander arrived there he patronized the city, and afterwards it became Hellenized. xxxiii, xxxiv; see Jour. The Persians thereupon set fire to Tarsus, but the timely arrival of the Macedonian advance guard under Parmenio saved the city from destruction. The gospel notes presented in a portable format suitable for smartphones and tablets. In 2 Macc 4:30 f we read that, about 171 "it came to pass that they of Tarsus and Mallus made insurrection, because they were to be given as a present to Antiochis, the king's concubine. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. Excavations have turned up a paved city street of Tarsus along with a colonnaded podium, which may date to the 2nd century BC. Tarsus definition from the Bible Dictionary. It is at this time that Tarsus is first mentioned in the Bible, unless we are to accept the disputed identification with TARSHISH (which see). 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(Records of the Past, ed. Bibliography Information Tarsus in the Bible. But apparently the philological link between Tarsus and Tarshish is not as obvious as it seems (which neither refutes nor confirms the proposed identicalness of Tarsus and Tarshish; many scholars today place Tarshish in Spain). Studies, XXIV, 58). It probably started out as a Hittite settlement, but due to its strategic location was annexed by all the major empires: the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Seleucids. The earliest historical record of the town is found on the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser, about 850 BC, where it figures among the places captured by that king. After Saul’s conversion, the Lord directed Ananias to visit Saul; Ananias was told to ask for “a man The other, a place of comfort called Abraham’s Boso… Whether Tarshish and Tarsus are the same town in a geographical sense we can't say with any kind of academic certainty, but if they are not in a symbolic sense (just like the name Babylon may apply also to Rome or Egypt), we would expect somebody in the Bible, and particularly the author of the Book of Jonah, to submit this in a helpful footnote (something like: "and Jonah fled to Tarshish, which is not the same as Tarsus, as you might logically expect"). It is at this time that Tarsus is first mentioned in the Bible, unless we are to accept the disputed identification with TARSHISH (which see). ). From this time Tarsus is a city of Hellenic constitution, and its coins no longer bear Aramaic but Greek legends. Shortly before he was beheaded in Rome, Paul wrote, “I have fought a good fight. Tarsus was a major port city and the capital of the Roman province of Cilicia, which was located in the southern Mediterranean coast of what is Turkey today. Two miles North of Tarsus the plain gives way to low, undulating hills, which extend to the foothills of Taurus, the great mountain chain lying some 30 miles North of the city, which divides Cilicia from Lycaonia and Cappadocia. The modern town, which still bears the ancient name in the slightly modified form Tersous, has a very mixed population, numbering about 25,000, and considerable trade, but suffers from its unhealthful situation and the proximity of large marshy tracts. Exact Match. 4. It is under the rule of Augustus that our knowledge of Tarsus first becomes fairly full and precise, Strabo, writing about 19 AD, tells us (xiv.673) of the enthusiasm of its inhabitants for learning, and especially for philosophy. By. Act 9:11 . YouTube video: A further exploration of the Gospel (usually) from a different angle. In the New Testament, the Greek word for this place is Hades, and our English translation is Hell. Home; Origin; Birth; John; Acts; About; Contact; ACTS 11 COMMENTARY Acts 11:20-24 Antioch Acts 11:25 Saul of Tarsus Acts 11:26 Christian. Below are the English definition details. But Strabo's testimony is that of a contemporary and an accurate historian and must outweigh that of Philostratus, whose work is largely tinged with romance and belongs to the early years of the 3rd century AD. The commander immediately concluded that Paul was not the Egyptian rabble-rouser he somehow figured he was, and Paul quickly added his flash-résumé: he was a Jew, a Tarsean (Ταρσευς), a citizen of no average city, and he wished to address the crowd (Acts 21:39). Tarsus, city, south-central Turkey.It is located on the Tarsus River, about 12 miles (20 km) from the Mediterranean Sea coast.. Tarsus is an ancient city on the alluvial plain of ancient Cilicia, the birthplace of St. Paul (Acts of the Apostles 22:3). 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. The outcome was the reorganization of Tarsus as an autonomous city with a coinage of its own, which took place under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164), probably in 171 BC. The Bible reveals very little about Paul's family.