Lexical Summary Mesopotamia: Mesopotamia Original Word: Μεσοποταμία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mesopotamia. From mesos and potamos; Mesopotamia (as lying between the Euphrates and the Tigris; compare 'Aram Naharayim), a region of Asia -- Mesopotamia. see GREEK mesos see GREEK potamos see HEBREW 'Aram Naharayim NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mesos and potamos Definition Mesopotamia, a region through which the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow NASB Translation Mesopotamia (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3318: ΜεσοποταμίαΜεσοποταμία, Μεσοποταμίας, ἡ (feminine of μεσοποτάμιος, Μεσοποταμία, μεσοποταμιον, namely, χώρα; from μέσος and ποταμός), Mesopotamia, the name, not so much political as geographical (scarcely in use before the time of Alexander the Great), of a region in Asia, lying between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris (whence it took its name; cf. Arrian. anab. Alex. 7, 7; Tar. ann. 6, 37; נַהֲרַיִם אֲרַם, Aram of the two rivers, Genesis 24:10), bounded on the north by the range of Taurus and on the south by the Persian Gulf; many Jews bad settled in it (Josephus, Antiquities 12, 3, 4): Acts 2:9; Acts 7:2. (Cf. Socin in Encycl. Brit. edition 9, under the word; Rawlinson, Herodotus, vol. i. Essay ix.) Topical Lexicon Geographical Scope and Historical Overview Mesopotamia denotes the stretch of fertile land between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, encompassing the great alluvial plain that saw the rise of Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylon. Its location made it a cultural crossroads linking Asia Minor, Persia, and the Levant. The region’s extraordinary agricultural potential, sophisticated urban centers, and advanced legal codes (e.g., Hammurabi) formed the backdrop for many events that intersect with the biblical narrative. Mesopotamia in Old Testament Foundations 1. The Call of Abraham New Testament Contextual Usage Acts employs the term twice: Theological Themes and Doctrinal Insights 1. Sovereignty Over Nations The Lord directs history from Ur to Pentecost, controlling empires and scattering or gathering peoples to fulfill His purposes (Daniel 2:20-21; Acts 17:26-27). The presence of Mesopotamian Jews at Jerusalem’s feast illustrates that dispersion served a missionary purpose. When they returned eastward, the gospel was poised to radiate along ancient trade routes back to the heartland of civilization. Abraham’s summons from a polytheistic milieu exemplifies conversion by grace alone (Romans 4:1-5). His obedience prefigures believers’ own call to leave worldly allegiances (Hebrews 11:8-10). Luke juxtaposes Babel’s confusion (Genesis 11) with Pentecost’s clarity as the Spirit reverses linguistic division and begins gathering one new people in Christ (Ephesians 2:13-18). Historical Influence on Early Christianity Early church tradition indicates that apostles such as Thomas, Thaddaeus, and Bartholomew traveled east. Syriac Christianity rapidly took root in Edessa and along the Euphrates. The seed sown at Pentecost likely contributed to these developments, and by the second century vibrant Christian communities dotted northern Mesopotamia, testifying to Scripture’s trajectory from Abraham to the nations. Ministry Reflections and Contemporary Application • God still calls believers to leave comfort and familiarity for obedience shaped by faith rather than sight. Selected Cross-References for Further Study Genesis 11:31–12:3; Genesis 24:4; Deuteronomy 23:4; Judges 3:8-10; 2 Kings 25:11; Daniel 1:1-2; Isaiah 43:14; Jeremiah 32:37-41; Romans 11:33-36; Hebrews 11:8-16. Forms and Transliterations Μεσοποταμια Μεσοποταμίᾳ Μεσοποταμιαν Μεσοποταμίαν Mesopotamia Mesopotamíāi Mesopotamian MesopotamíanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 2:9 N-AFSGRK: κατοικοῦντες τὴν Μεσοποταμίαν Ἰουδαίαν τε NAS: and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea KJV: the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and INT: inhabit Mesopotamia Judea also Acts 7:2 N-DFS Strong's Greek 3318 |