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Καισάρεια

Kaisáreia

G2542 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A city associated with Caesar, i.e., constructed, dedicated, or named in honor of a Roman Caesar; specifically, the term refers to two distinct cities in the eastern Mediterranean known as 'Caesarea.' In New Testament and Second Temple contexts, most references are to Caesarea Maritima—the prominent port city on the Mediterranean coast of Judea, serving as a major administrative center of Roman government. Less commonly, the term may refer to Caesarea Philippi—a city inland near the source of the Jordan River, distinguished by its association with Herod Philip. The core sense involves a city devoted to imperial authority or honor.

Semantic Range

city named after a Caesar, city under imperial (Caesarean) dedication, Caesarea Maritima (Roman Judean port city), Caesarea Philippi (city named by Herod Philip), place of Roman government or influence

Root / Etymology

Derived from Καῖσαρ ('Caesar'), the title of Roman emperors, with the suffix -εια (-eia) forming a toponym meaning 'city of Caesar' or 'Caesarea.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Καισάρεια is not an original Greek place-name but one developed in the context of Roman imperial expansion and the resultant Hellenistic and provincial administrative culture. The most prominent Καισάρεια (Caesarea Maritima) was founded by Herod the Great (late 1st century BCE) as a major port and seat of Roman administration in Judea. It was noted for its strategic and political importance, distinctive Greco-Roman architecture, and demographic diversity. In the New Testament, _Kaisáreia_ typically refers to Caesarea Maritima (e.g., Acts 8:40, Acts 10:1, Acts 23:23), where Roman governors such as Pilate resided. Caesarea Philippi, in contrast, lay in the north and was associated with Herodian rule and Greco-Roman religious syncretism (cf. Matt 16:13). Early English translations rendered Καισάρεια as 'Caesarea,' following the Latinized form, which erases the original sense of deliberate imperial dedication found in the Greek. The usage denotes both geographic specificity and political symbolism, associating the city with Rome and imperial power.

Translation Consistency

primary "Caesarea" 16 occurrences

The lemma is a proper-place name referring to the cities named for Caesar; the natural, consistent English rendering is the proper noun “Caesarea.” In NT usage it most often denotes Caesarea Maritima (occasionally Caesarea Philippi), so the single, simple form “Caesarea” best preserves the place-name and fits typical usage.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Καῖσαρ; Cæsaria, the name of two places in Palestine:--Cæsarea.

Root Family

Καισάρεια (Kaisareia) — city of Caesar, imperial city, place honoring Roman ruler

Root Καῖσαρ name of Caesar, imperial authority, Roman ruler

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2542-02 Καισάρειαν kaisareian N ACC F SG Caesarea Caesarea (imperial city) Caesarea (imperial city) 10
G2542-03 Καισαρείας kaisareias N GEN F SG Caesarea of Caesar’s city Caesarea 6
G2542-01 Καισαρείᾳ kaisareia N DAT F SG Caesarea to Caesarea Caesarea 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2542-03 Matthew 16:13 Καισαρείας kaisareias N GEN F SG of Caesarea of Caesar’s city of Caesarea
G2542-03 Mark 8:27 Καισαρείας kaisareias N GEN F SG of Caesarea of Caesar’s city of Caesarea
G2542-02 Acts 8:40 Καισάρειαν kaisareian N ACC F SG Caesarea Caesarea (imperial city) Caesarea (imperial city)
G2542-02 Acts 9:30 Καισάρειαν kaisareian N ACC F SG Caesarea Caesarea (imperial city) Caesarea (imperial city)
G2542-01 Acts 10:1 Καισαρείᾳ kaisareia N DAT F SG Caesarea to Caesarea Caesarea
G2542-02 Acts 10:24 Καισάρειαν kaisareian N ACC F SG Caesarea Caesarea (imperial city) Caesarea (imperial city)
G2542-03 Acts 11:11 Καισαρείας kaisareias N GEN F SG Caesarea of Caesar’s city Caesarea
G2542-02 Acts 12:19 Καισάρειαν kaisareian N ACC F SG Caesarea Caesarea (imperial city) Caesarea (imperial city)
G2542-02 Acts 18:22 Καισάρειαν kaisareian N ACC F SG Caesarea Caesarea (imperial city) Caesarea (imperial city)
G2542-02 Acts 21:8 Καισάρειαν kaisareian N ACC F SG Caesarea Caesarea (imperial city) Caesarea (imperial city)
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