"Decapolis, a district of Palestine beyond Jordan, Mk. 5:20; 7:31; Mt. 4:25*"
Definition and meaning
Decapolis, a district of Palestine beyond Jordan, Mk. 5:20; 7:31; Mt. 4:25*
In the original Greek the word is written: Δεκάπολις
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of dekapolis (G1179) across the King James Bible.
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
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Common questions
Strong's G1179 (dekapolis) is a Greek word that means: Decapolis, a district of Palestine beyond Jordan, Mk. 5:20; 7:31; Mt. 4:25* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word dekapolis (G1179) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1179 is dekapolis, a Greek word defined as: Decapolis, a district of Palestine beyond Jordan, Mk. 5:20; 7:31; Mt. 4:25*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
dekapolis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.