Original Word: Ταρσός
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Tarsos
Pronunciation: TAR-sos
Phonetic Spelling: (tar-sos')
Definition: Tarsus
Meaning: Tarsus, the capital of the Roman province Cilicia.

Tarsus.

Perhaps the same as tarsos (a flat basket); Tarsus, a place in Asia Minor -- Tarsus.

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Tarsus, a city of Cilicia
NASB Translation
Tarsus (3).

STRONGS NT 5019: Ταρσός

Ταρσός, Ταρσου, ἡ (on its accent cf. Chandler §§ 317, 318), in secular authors also Ταρσοι, ταρσῶν, αἱ, Tarsus, a maritime city, the capital of Cilicia during the Roman period (Josephus, Antiquities 1, 6, 1), situated on the river Cydnus, which divided it into two parts (hence, the plural Ταρσοι). It was not only large and populous, but also renowned for its Greek learning and its numerous schools of philosophers (Strabo 14, p. 613 (cf. Lightfoot on Colossians, p. 303f)). Moreover, it was a free city (Pliny, 5, 22), and exempt alike from the jurisdiction of a Roman governor, and the maintenance of a Roman garrison; although it was not a Roman 'colony'. It had received its freedom from Antony (Appendix,

b. 104:5, 7) on the condition that it might retain its own magistrates and laws, but should acknowledge the Roman sovereignty and furnish auxiliaries in time of war. It is now called Tarso or Tersus, a mean city of some 6,000 inhabitants (others set the number very much higher). It was the birthplace of the apostle Paul: Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25; Acts 22:3. (BB. DD., under the word; Lewin, St. Paul, 1:78f cf. 2.)

Word Origin: The word Ταρσός is of uncertain origin. It is a proper noun referring to a specific geographical location.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct corresponding Strong's Hebrew entries for Ταρσός, as it is a Greek term referring to a specific city in the Greco-Roman world. However, the concept of cities and places of origin can be found throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, often with different names and contexts.

Usage: The term Ταρσός is used in the New Testament to refer to the city of Tarsus, particularly in the context of the Apostle Paul's background and heritage.

Context: Tarsus was an ancient city located in the region of Cilicia, which is in the southeastern part of modern-day Turkey. It was a significant cultural and intellectual center during the Roman Empire, known for its schools of philosophy and rhetoric. Tarsus was also a major trade hub due to its strategic location near the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains.

The city is most notably recognized in the New Testament as the birthplace of Saul of Tarsus, who later became known as the Apostle Paul. In Acts 9:11, the Lord instructs Ananias to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. Additionally, in Acts 21:39, Paul himself declares, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city."

Tarsus played a crucial role in Paul's identity and mission. As a Roman citizen from a prominent city, Paul was afforded certain privileges and protections that facilitated his missionary journeys and his ability to spread the Gospel across the Roman Empire. The city's rich cultural and educational environment likely influenced Paul's own education and rhetorical skills, which he utilized in his epistles and teachings.

Ταρσον Ταρσόν Ταρσὸν ταρσούς Ταρσω Ταρσῷ τάρταρον ταρτάρω Tarso Tarsō Tarsôi Tarsō̂i Tarson Tarsón TarsònInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts