Greek word · G2993

Λαοδίκεια

laodikeia

Laodicea

Proper names of two neighbouring cities in the Lycus River valley of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia.

Appears 6 times in 6 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Λαοδικία (Rec. -εία), -ας, ἡ

Laodicea, a city on the Lycus in Phrygia: Colossians 2:1 4:13, 15-16, Revelation 1:11 3:14.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Colossians 4:13

Range of meaning

Proper names of two neighbouring cities in the Lycus River valley of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia.

Against the English

No translation difference.

Used elsewhere in the period

Laodicea was founded by the Seleucid king Antiochus II and named after his wife Laodice. It was a centre of banking and of black-wool textiles. Hierapolis was famous for hot mineral springs and the 'Plutonium', a cave giving off toxic gas that was regarded as a gateway to the underworld (Strabo, Geography 13.4.14). Tacitus (Annals 14.27) records an earthquake around 60–61 CE after which Laodicea rebuilt without Roman aid.

Similar words

Where it appears

Colossians · 4

  1. Colossians 2:1 Λαοδικείᾳ Laodicea

    For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face,

    Here: The large, wealthy neighboring city in the Lycus valley, about 16 km (10 miles) from Colossae. The same church is addressed in Colossians 4:13–16 and Revelation 3:14–22.

  2. Colossians 4:13 Λαοδικείᾳ Laodicea

    For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

    Here: The large, wealthy city about 10 miles (16 km) west of Colossae in the Lycus valley. It is the church addressed again in 4:15–16 and later in Revelation 3:14–22.

  3. Colossians 4:15 Λαοδικείᾳ Laodicea

    Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.

    Here: The wealthy city of the Lycus valley, about 16 km (10 miles) west of Colossae. It is the same city later addressed in Revelation 3:14–22.

  4. Colossians 4:16 Λαοδικείας Laodicea

    After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

Revelation · 2

  1. Revelation 1:11 Λαοδίκειαν.¶ Laodicea.

    saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

    Here: A wealthy banking and textile city in the Lycus valley, named after Laodice, wife of the Seleucid king Antiochus II. It is the last stop on the loop.

  2. Revelation 3:14 Λαοδικείᾳ Laodicea

    To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.

    Here: A rich city in the Lycus valley of Phrygia (inland western Turkey), about 10 miles from Colossae and 6 from Hierapolis. It is the last stop on the circuit of seven cities.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.