Derbe

Derbe (Greek: Δέρβη), also called Derbeia (Greek: Δέρβεια),[1] was a city of Galatia in Asia Minor, and later of Lycaonia, and still later of Isauria and Cappadocia. It is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles at 14:6, 14:20, 16:1 and 20:4.

Derbe
Shown within Turkey
LocationTurkey
RegionKaraman Province
Coordinates37°21′03″N 33°16′17″E

Location

Strabo places Derbe “on the sides” of Isauria, and almost in Cappadocia.[2] Elsewhere, he says it was in the eleventh praefecture of Cappadocia.[3] When the apostles Paul and Barnabas visited Derbe, it was in Lycaonia. Stephanus of Byzantium places Derbe in Isauria.[4]

In 1956, on the basis of an inscription dating to 157 BC, Michael Ballance fixed the site of Derbe at a mound known as Kerti Hüyük, some 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Karaman (ancient Laranda), near Ekinözü village in modern day Turkey.[5] Although subject to controversy, this is considered the most likely site.[6][7]

History

Antipater of Derbe, a friend of Cicero,[8] was ruler of Derbe, but was killed by Amyntas of Galatia, who added Derbe to his possessions.[9][10]

Claudioderbe was a special title given to Derbe during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius; it appears on second century coins from Derbe.[5]

The apostles Paul and Barnabas came to Derbe after escaping a disturbance and attempted stoning in Iconium, about 60 miles away,[11] and successfully evangelized there.[12] Paul and Barnabas returned there after being stoned again in Lystra.[13] On these experiences, Paul commented, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."[14] He and Silas later visited Derbe again.[15]

The Bishopric of Derbe became a suffragan see of Iconium. It is not mentioned by later Notitiae Episcopatuum. Just four bishops are known, from 381 to 672.[16]

Derbe is included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees.[17]

References
  1. Stephanus of Byzantium, Ethnica, §D225.2
  2. Strabo. Geographica. p. 569. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
  3. Strabo. Geographica. p. 534. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
  4. Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. s.v. Δέρβη.
  5. Fant, Clyde E.; Reddish, Mitchell G. (2003-10-23). A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-988145-1.
  6. Bastian Van Elderen, Some Archaeological Observations on Paul’s First Missionary Journey, 157-159.
  7. Steve C. Singleton, Derbe, from Bible Atlas from Space, Deeperstudy.com.
  8. Cicero, Ad Familiares, xiii. 73
  9. Strabo, XII,i, 4; vi, 3
  10. Dio Cassius, XLIX, xxxii)
  11. Bastian Van Elderen, Some Archaeological Observations on Paul’s First Missionary Journey, 157-159.
  12. Acts 14:6-21
  13. Acts 14:20
  14. Acts 14:22
  15. Acts 16:1
  16. "Derbe". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2007-02-17.
  17. Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 880

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Derbe". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.

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