688. Arabia
Lexical Summary
Arabia: Arabia

Original Word: Ἀραβία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Arabia
Pronunciation: ar-ab-ee'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-ab-ee'-ah)
KJV: Arabia
NASB: Arabia
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H6152 (עֲרָב עֲרַב - Arab))]

1. Arabia, a region of Asia

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Arabia.

Of Hebrew origin ( Arab); Arabia, a region of Asia -- Arabia.

see HEBREW Arab

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Arab
Definition
Arabia, a peninsula of Asia near Africa
NASB Translation
Arabia (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 688: Ἀραβία

Ἀραβία, Ἀραβίας, (from Herodotus down), Arabia, a well-known peninsula of Asia, lying toward Africa, and bounded by Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, the Gulf of Arabia, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea (and the Ocean): Galatians 1:17; Galatians 4:25.

Topical Lexicon
Geographical Overview

“Arabia” in the New Testament denotes the broad area south and east of Palestine that stretches from the Sinai Peninsula through the Arabian Desert toward the Persian Gulf. In classical geography the land was commonly divided into Arabia Petraea (north-west, including Sinai and the Nabataean kingdom with its capital at Petra), Arabia Deserta (the harsh interior), and Arabia Felix (the fertile south, modern Yemen). Biblical writers are chiefly concerned with the north-western section bordering the Promised Land, the region that contained Mount Sinai and lay along vital trade routes connecting Egypt, Judea, and Mesopotamia.

Old Testament Background

Long before the term appears in the Greek New Testament, Israel’s Scriptures speak of tribes and locations later grouped under “Arabia.” Ishmael’s twelve sons settled “from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria” (Genesis 25:18). Kedar (Isaiah 21:16-17), Tema (Job 6:19), and Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-10) represent well-known Arab peoples engaged in shepherding, caravan trade, and occasional conflict with Israel (2 Chronicles 17:11; 26:7). The queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon and the gold, spices, and precious stones she brought (1 Kings 10:2, 10) illustrate the commercial vitality of the region. Prophets such as Isaiah (Isaiah 21:13-17) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:24) pronounced oracles upon Arab tribes, confirming their proximity and influence on Israel’s history.

Arabia in the Intertestamental Period

By the first century, the Nabataean kingdom dominated much of north-western Arabia. Its control of frankincense and myrrh routes enriched its capital, Petra, and brought regular contact with Judaea. Political skirmishes between Herod Antipas and Nabataean King Aretas IV (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:32) form part of the background to Paul’s later ministry.

New Testament Usage

Strong’s Greek 688 appears only twice, both in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians:

Galatians 1:17 – Paul “went into Arabia” immediately after his Damascus conversion before returning to Damascus.
Galatians 4:25 – “Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children”.

Though few in number, these references are strategic for understanding Paul’s spiritual formation and his argument concerning law and grace.

Paul’s Sojourn in Arabia (Galatians 1:17)

Paul’s withdrawal to Arabia followed the startling revelation of Christ on the Damascus road. Scripture does not specify his exact locale, but three considerations stand out:

1. Separation for Revelation: Like Moses and Elijah, Paul likely sought solitude in the wilderness to hear from God and to recalibrate his understanding of Messiah in light of the Hebrew Scriptures.
2. Possible Ministry Activity: Galatians 1:23 hints that Paul began preaching immediately after conversion; therefore, his time in Arabia may have included proclamation among Nabataeans.
3. Avoidance of Immediate Jerusalem Influence: By delaying contact with the apostles, Paul underscored that his gospel was received “by revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12).

Mount Sinai in Arabia (Galatians 4:25)

Linking Hagar with Sinai “in Arabia” allowed Paul to reinforce two truths:
• Geographical: According to Jewish tradition, Sinai lay in the south-central Sinai Peninsula, historically regarded as part of Arabia Petraea.
• Allegorical: As Hagar and Ishmael prefigured slavery, so Sinai represents the Mosaic covenant that, apart from faith, can only expose bondage to sin. By contrast, the “Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother” (Galatians 4:26).

Paul’s mention situates Sinai on the Arab side of the Red Sea and strengthens his argument by reminding Galatians that physical descent or location cannot guarantee spiritual freedom.

Theological Themes

1. Wilderness and Revelation: Arabia’s deserts provide the backdrop for decisive divine self-disclosure—Sinai for Israel, Arabia for Paul. God often forms leaders in secluded places before sending them forth.
2. Slavery versus Freedom: Paul leverages Arabia’s association with Sinai and Hagar to contrast bondage under law with liberty in Christ.
3. Gospel Expansion: Paul’s early sojourn anticipates the gospel’s advance beyond Jewish borders. Arabia becomes emblematic of Christ’s intention to capture every region and people group.

Historical and Prophetic Significance

Arabia appears in prophetic oracles regarding end-times judgment (Isaiah 21) and in descriptions of millennial blessing when “the glory of Lebanon will be given to it” (Isaiah 35:2). Paul’s engagement with Arabia marks the beginning of that promise’s fulfillment, signaling the gospel’s penetration into lands once considered remote.

Ministry Reflections and Application

• Times of Withdrawal: Modern servants of Christ can learn from Paul’s example that seasons of solitude with Scripture and prayer often precede effective public ministry.
• Cross-Cultural Readiness: Arabia’s diverse ethnic tapestry prepared Paul for the Gentile mission; likewise, believers today are called to understand and reach neighboring cultures.
• Law and Grace: Remembering that Sinai lies in Arabia underlines that any covenant rooted solely in human effort remains outside the true inheritance. The believer’s identity is anchored in the heavenly Jerusalem, secured by grace alone.

Key References

Genesis 25:16-18; 1 Kings 10:1-15; Isaiah 21:13-17; Jeremiah 25:24; Galatians 1:17; Galatians 4:25; 2 Corinthians 11:32.

Forms and Transliterations
Αραβια Ἀραβίᾳ Αραβιαν Ἀραβίαν Arabia Arabíāi Arabian Arabían
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Galatians 1:17 N-AFS
GRK: ἀπῆλθον εἰς Ἀραβίαν καὶ πάλιν
NAS: me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned
KJV: I went into Arabia, and returned
INT: I went away into Arabia and again

Galatians 4:25 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν τῇ Ἀραβίᾳ συστοιχεῖ δὲ
NAS: Sinai in Arabia and corresponds
KJV: Sinai in Arabia, and answereth
INT: in Arabia corresponds moreover

Strong's Greek 688
2 Occurrences


Ἀραβίᾳ — 1 Occ.
Ἀραβίαν — 1 Occ.

687
Top of Page
Top of Page