Σαμοθρᾴκη
Samothráikē
G4543 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Samothrace; a specific island in the northern Aegean Sea, named as such to distinguish it from the larger and better-known island of Samos. Refers to the island itself, the place of origin or location, and by extension, an inhabitant or anything associated with the island of Samothrace.
Semantic Range
Samothrace (island), Samothracian (of or pertaining to the island), place of origin designation
Root / Etymology
The name is generally analyzed as a compound of Σάμος (Samos) and Θρᾴκη (Thrace), indicating 'Samos of Thrace' or 'Thracian Samos.' Samos here refers to a high or lofty place (possibly reflecting the island's mountainous terrain), while Thrace designates the broader geographic region to the north. The name distinguishes this island from the separate island of Samos off the coast of Asia Minor. The precise reason for the combination is uncertain, but it reflects ancient naming conventions by which islands or cities were linked to regional identities.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Samothrace was renowned in antiquity for its religious cults—especially the secretive Samothracian Mysteries—and its dramatic mountainous landscape. Mentioned in Homer and Herodotus, the island later appears in various Hellenistic and Roman sources, including the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 16:11), marking a travel stop on Paul's journey. In the New Testament, the term functions as a geographical proper noun, not requiring translation. Standard English Bibles often use the transliterated form "Samothrace," which accurately preserves the place reference but does not convey the underlying etymological links to Samos or Thrace. The name's religious or mythological resonance (center of the Great Gods cult) may be relevant in broader classical contexts, but it is not invoked in biblical usage. Comparison with other island place names (e.g. Lesbos, Patmos, Samos) highlights how such terms surface in travel narratives without broader semantic developments in Koine Greek.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Σάμος and (Thrace); Samo-thrace (Samos of Thrace), an island in the Mediterranean:--Samothracia.
Root Family
Σαμοθρᾴκη (Samothrakē) — Samothrace, island name, place designation
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4543-01 |
Σαμοθρᾴκην | samothraken | N ACC F SG |
Samothrace | Samothrace | Samothrace | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4543-01 |
Acts 16:11 | Σαμοθρᾴκην | samothraken | N ACC F SG |
Samothrace | Samothrace | Samothrace |