"Phoenice, Phoenicia, a country on the east of the Mediterranean, between Palestine and Syria, anciently celebrated for commerce, Acts 11:19; 15:3; 21:2*"
Definition and meaning
Phoenice, Phoenicia, a country on the east of the Mediterranean, between Palestine and Syria, anciently celebrated for commerce, Acts 11:19; 15:3; 21:2*
In the original Greek the word is written: Φοινίκη
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
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 phoinike (G5403) across the King James Bible.
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
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Common questions
Strong's G5403 (phoinike) is a Greek word that means: Phoenice, Phoenicia, a country on the east of the Mediterranean, between Palestine and Syria, anciently celebrated for commerce, Acts 11:19; 15:3; 21:2* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word phoinike (G5403) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5403 is phoinike, a Greek word defined as: Phoenice, Phoenicia, a country on the east of the Mediterranean, between Palestine and Syria, anciently celebrated for commerce, Acts 11:19; 15:3; 21:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phoinike is a Greek word found in the New Testament.