Μύρα

Myra

Definition

Μύρα (Myra) is the name of a significant ancient port city in the region of Lycia, located on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). In the biblical context, it is mentioned solely in Acts 27:5 as a stopping point during the apostle Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome as a prisoner. The city served as a major harbor for ships traveling along the coast of the eastern Mediterranean, particularly for vessels sailing between Egypt, Syria, and Rome. Its mention highlights the specific and historically accurate travel route described in the narrative of Paul's journey.

Biblical Usage

Μύρα is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:5. It functions strictly as a proper noun identifying a geographical location. The usage is purely descriptive within the historical narrative of Paul's voyage, specifying the port where the ship carrying Paul and other prisoners changed vessels before continuing toward Italy. There are no other contextual or metaphorical uses in the biblical text.

Etymology

The word Μύρα (Myra) is of Greek origin, though its precise meaning is uncertain. It is the proper name of the city itself, not derived from a common Greek root with a separate lexical meaning. As a place-name, it was simply adopted into the biblical text to refer to that specific location.

Semantic Range

In the 1st century, Myra was a prominent and prosperous Roman port city within the province of Lycia. It was a key hub for grain ships traveling from Alexandria to Rome, which explains why a centurion transporting a prisoner to the imperial capital would find a ship there (Acts 27:6). Understanding Myra's role as a major maritime stop enriches the reading of Acts 27 by grounding Paul's journey in the real-world travel logistics and imperial trade routes of the Roman Empire.

Word Details

Scripture References