Lexical Summary Rhégion: Rhegium Original Word: Ῥήγιον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rhegium. Of Latin origin; Rhegium, a place in Italy -- Rhegium. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Latin origin Definition Rhegium, a city in southern Italy NASB Translation Rhegium (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4484: ῬήγιονῬήγιον, Ρ᾽ηγιου, τό, Rhegium (now Reggio), a town and promontory at the extremity of the Bruttian peninsula, opposite Messana (Messina) in Sicily; (it seems to have got its name from the Greek verb ῤήγνυμι, because at that point Sicily was believed to have been 'rent away' from Italy; so Pliny observes, hist. nat. 3, 8 (14); (Diodorus Siculus 4, 85; Strabo 6, 258; Philo de incorrupt. mund. § 26; others. See Pape, Eigennamen, under the word)): Acts 28:13. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Rhegium was a busy harbor city located on the southern tip of the Italian peninsula, facing the city of Messina across the narrow Strait of Messina. Its position made it a natural first landing-point for vessels rounding Sicily on their way northward along the western coast of Italy. Biblical Occurrence and Context Acts 28:13 records the sole New Testament mention: “From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. After one day a south wind came up, and the next day we reached Puteoli”. The verse stands within Luke’s detailed narrative of Paul’s voyage from Malta to Rome (Acts 27:1—28:16). Rhegium served as the final intermediate stop before Paul entered the Bay of Naples, marking the near completion of his long-promised journey to testify in Rome (Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11). Historical Background Founded as a Greek colony centuries before Christ, Rhegium retained strong Hellenistic cultural features even under Roman control. By the first century it enjoyed status as a free city allied with Rome, possessed a reliable fresh-water supply, and offered a sheltered anchorage protected from prevailing western gales. Its prosperity rested on maritime trade flowing through the strait, and the port was well known to Roman merchants and military transports alike. Strategic Importance in First-Century Maritime Travel 1. Waypoint between Sicily and the Tyrrhenian Sea: Ships sailing from Malta or Crete commonly hugged the Italian shore after rounding Cape Pachynus. Rhegium lay at the natural pause before a favorable south or southwest wind could speed vessels to Puteoli, the principal port for Rome. Theological and Ministry Significance • God’s providence in mission: Each stage of Paul’s voyage, including the brief stop at Rhegium, illustrates the sovereign orchestration of circumstances to fulfill the Lord’s assurance, “You must testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Even contrary winds ultimately served divine purposes. Lessons for Believers Today 1. Trust amidst delays: Paul’s progress depended on variables he could not control, yet he remained steadfast. Believers are reminded that temporary pauses—like a day anchored at Rhegium—may be integral to God’s larger timetable. Related Scriptures and Themes Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11; Acts 27:1—28:16; Romans 1:9-15; Philippians 1:12-14. Forms and Transliterations Ρηγιον Ῥήγιον Region Rēgion Rhegion Rhēgion RhḗgionLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |