← G3081 G3083 →

Λύστρα

Lýstra

G3082 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Lystra – a city in the region of Lycaonia in central Asia Minor, notable as a location visited by Paul and Barnabas during their missionary journeys. The term designates a specific urban settlement and its surrounding inhabitants, particularly in the context of Greco-Roman provincial geography.

Semantic Range

the city of Lystra in Lycaonia/Asia Minor; its inhabitants; the urban region surrounding the settlement

Root / Etymology

Origin uncertain. The name Λύστρα does not have a known derivation in Greek; it may be of Anatolian or Lycaonian origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Λύστρα is attested in Greek and Latin sources as the name of a city in the Roman province of Galatia, specifically within Lycaonia. The earliest historical references to Lystra appear in Roman administrative records prior to its mention in early Christian sources. In the New Testament, Lystra is the site of significant events in Acts (Acts 14:6–21, 16:1–3), being portrayed as a distinct city with a local population that practiced local Anatolian religious customs. The term never functions as a common noun, nor does it carry symbolic or figurative meaning—it is strictly geographic. English translations uniformly transliterate Λύστρα as 'Lystra,' and the rendering is consistent across LXX and NT texts. There is no evidence that the city's name held additional connotations in Greek usage beyond its geographic referent.

Translation Consistency

primary "Lystra" 6 occurrences

This is a proper place name; the established English transliteration "Lystra" is the standard, natural form used in Bible translations to refer to the city and its people/region. Using the single uninflected name ensures consistency across all occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain origin; Lystra, a place in Asia Minor:--Lystra.

Root Family

Λύστρα (Lýstra) — the city of Lystra, specific urban settlement, geographic designation

Root Λύστρ- to denote a specific city, designate a geographic urban location

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3082-02 Λύστροις lustrois N DAT N PL Lystra to Lystra Lystra 3
G3082-01 Λύστραν lustran N ACC F SG Lystra Lystra Lystra 3

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3082-01 Acts 14:6 Λύστραν lustran N ACC F SG Lystra Lystra Lystra
G3082-02 Acts 14:8 Λύστροις lustrois N DAT N PL Lystra to Lystra Lystra
G3082-01 Acts 14:21 Λύστραν lustran N ACC F SG Lystra Lystra Lystra
G3082-01 Acts 16:1 Λύστραν lustran N ACC F SG Lystra Lystra Lystra
G3082-02 Acts 16:2 Λύστροις lustrois N DAT N PL Lystra to Lystra Lystra
G3082-02 2 Timothy 3:11 Λύστροις lustrois N DAT N PL Lystra to Lystra Lystra
← G3081 Greek Lexicon G3083 →