Τρωγύλλιον

Τρωγύλλιον

Trogyllium

Definition

Τρωγύλλιον (Trogyllium) is a proper noun referring to a specific geographical location: a promontory or coastal headland situated on the western coast of Asia Minor, south of the city of Ephesus. In the New Testament, it is mentioned only in Acts 20:15 as a point along the Apostle Paul's return voyage to Jerusalem on his third missionary journey. The text notes that Paul's ship sailed from Miletus and passed by or anchored near Trogyllium before proceeding to Cos. As a place name, it has no other biblical senses or meanings beyond this singular geographical reference.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 20:15. It functions strictly as a geographical marker within the narrative of Paul's sea travel, providing a specific detail of his itinerary. The usage is purely descriptive, contributing to the historical and travelogue style of the latter chapters of Acts. There are no patterns of usage, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).

Etymology

The word Τρωγύλλιον (Trōgyllion) is of Greek origin, but its precise derivation is uncertain. It is the proper name for the location and does not derive from a more common root with a broader semantic range. As a place name, its etymology is likely tied to local geography or history, but this is not detailed in biblical sources. It is simply adopted into the New Testament text as the known name for the promontory.

Semantic Range

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, Trogyllium was a known navigational landmark for sailors traveling along the coast of Ionia (modern-day Turkey). Its mention in Acts 20:15 adds historical verisimilitude to the travel account, reflecting the detailed knowledge of sea routes common in that era. For modern readers, it underscores the concrete, historical nature of Paul's journeys as recorded in Acts, contrasting with a purely symbolic or legendary narrative.

Word Details