Rev 1:11; 2:8-17
Smyrna (Gr. Smúrna; traditionally explained as “myrrh”, scholars doubt that this was its original meaning; the current trend is to associate its name with that of the Anatolian goddess Samorna). One of the most important cities in western Asia Minor. Founded by the Aeolian Greeks, it later became an Ionian city incorporated into the Ionian confederation. Smyrna was one of the 7 cities claiming to be the birthplace of Homer. After its destruction by the Lydians in the 6th century BC, it was a place of little importance for some time, until Alexander recognized its ideal location and ordered its reconstruction; it was rebuilt by Lysimachus according to the plans of Alexander (301-281 BC). After this it grew rapidly, and became one of the richest coastal cities in Asia Minor. In 133 BC Smyrna was part of the Roman province of Asia, and in the imperial period it was one of the strongest centers of emperor worship in Asia Minor. A Christian church existed in the city (end of the 1st century AD), as evidenced by the book of Revelation by mentioning a letter to said church (Rev 2:8-11). At that time, his spirituality must have been excellent, because the letter does not contain any rebuke; while, with the exception of the Philadelphia church, all the others received censures. The Smyrna church could have originated from the efforts of Paul, who spent 3 years in neighboring Ephesus (Acts 20:31). Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, was burned at the stake near the city stadium (AD 169). The city was destroyed several times by earthquakes and wars, but because of its favorable location in a protected bay, it always recovered. Today, with the name of Izmir, it is the 3rd city of Turkey (figs 8, 204, 205; about the significance of Smyrna as one of the 7 churches of the Apocalypse, see CBA 7:96-98, 762-765). Map XX, B-4. 204. Panoramic view of modern Izmir and its bay from the citadel.
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
A port on the western coast of Asia Minor. Smyrna asked Tiberius to allow the community to build a temple to their deity. Permission was granted, and Smyrna built the second Asiatic temple to the emperor.
The city had worshiped Rome as a spiritual power since 195 BC. JC, hence the historical pride of Smyrna in its worship of Caesar. Izmir was famous for science, medicine and the majesty of its buildings.
Apollonius of Tyana referred to its “crown of porches”, a circle of beautiful public buildings that surrounded the top of Mount Pagus like a diadem; hence the John reference (Rev 2:10). Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, who was martyred in 155 AD. JC, had been a disciple of John.
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
There are two Smyrna. The first city, located at the northeastern end of the Gulf of Smyrna, was destroyed by the Lydians in the 6th century BC. AD The inhabitants fled to nearby villages and the city lay in ruins until the fourth century, when in the days of Alexander the Great, Smyrna was rebuilt—but this time at the southeastern end of the gulf. This city, to which John addressed a message in Revelation, is located ca. 68 km. north of Ephesus by the Roman road over an excellent double port. The outer harbor was a portion of the gulf that served as an anchorage; the inner harbor, now clogged with bazaars, had a narrow entrance that could be chained shut.
The city itself surrounded the end of the bay at the foot of 160 mts. of Mount Pagus, its splendid acropolis. Its streets were excellently paved and structured at right angles. The city had several squares and porticoes, a public library, numerous temples, and other buildings. Its aqueduct ensured an ample supply of water. This commercial center had a population that may have reached close to 200,000 by the time Juan sent his message to the church.
Recovery of New Testament Smyrna through archaeological investigation is virtually impossible. The modern city covers the old; and to make matters worse, the city was virtually destroyed by an earthquake in 178 AD. JC Emperor Marcus Aurelius rebuilt large areas of the metropolis.
Despite the difficulty in excavating Izmir, the Turkish Historical Association has carried out numerous excavation seasons there between the First and Second World Wars and also from the Second World War onwards. Their efforts have been concentrated mainly in the area of the agora, where much remains to be done. The finds here date from the time of Marcus Aurelius’s reconstruction and therefore bear no relation to New Testament times. A few remains of walls of the acropolis date from the first century, as well as the ruins of the aqueduct and the theater.
Source: Archaeological Biblical Dictionary
(myrrh).
One of the seven Churches of Asia Minor to which Christ addressed a letter in Rev.
II, 2:8-11.
Christian Bible Dictionary
Dr. J. Dominguez
http://bible.com/dictionary/
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
(Myrrh). City of Asia Minor (Turkey) where there was a church which is alluded to in one of John’s letters in the Apocalypse (Rev 2:8-11). E. was a city founded by the Greeks in the third millennium BC. C., as old as Troy itself. It is even said that it was the birthplace of Homer. It was on the coast of Anatolia, in the Aegean Sea, to the N of Ephesus. It was totally destroyed in the year 600 a. C., and remained so for about three hundred years, which some relate to the expression “he who was dead and lived” (Rev 2:8), although others suggest that the reference is to the goddess Cibeles, patron saint of the city, whose cult celebrated death in winter and the return of life in spring.
Rebuilt by Alexander the Great or one of his generals, it became a very wealthy city, competing with Ephesus and Pergamon for the title of ‘First City of Asia’. There was a fairly large community of Jews in E., who apparently were very opposed to the Christians (Rev 2:9). John encourages the church in view of the sufferings that were in store for her. There is not much information about the life of E. in the days of Juan’s letter. The modern city is practically on top of the old one, but the archaeological work that is being carried out may offer more information about it. The most famous bishop of E. was Polycarp, who died a martyr there in 156 AD. c.
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
tip, CITY IGLE
sit, a9, 348, 203
vet, = “myrrh”. This city, of great antiquity, towered over the western coast of Asia Minor. It belonged to the Ionian Confederation. Around the year 580 BC it was destroyed by Aliates, king of Lydia, and remained in ruins for about 200 years. Alexander the Great planned its reconstruction, which his immediate successors carried out on another site. The new Smyrna became a great commercial city, maintaining its arrogance in Roman times. The city became a part of the province of Asia, which the Romans annexed in 133 BC, and organized between 129 and 126. The church of Smyrna is the second of the seven churches of Asia Minor, which are directs the apostle John in the Apocalypse. He does not reproach her for anything, but exhorts her to remain firm in the persecution (Rev. 1:11; 2: 8-11). Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was martyred there, probably AD 169. In AD 178 an earthquake destroyed the city, which was quickly rebuilt. Located on a magnificent natural port, and on an important communication route, Smyrna was an ideal city for commerce.
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(Myrrh).
Ancient city on the western coast of Asia Minor, now called Izmir. (RECORDING, vol. 2, p. 946.) Its first settlers were the Greeks. Around the year 580 a. EC Aliates, king of Lydia, destroyed Smyrna. More than two centuries later, Alexander the Great planned to rebuild it as a Greek city, a project that was carried out by his successors, but in another location. Later Smyrna became an important commercial city. Over time it became part of the Roman province of Asia, and became important thanks to its beautiful public buildings. It had a temple in honor of Tiberius Caesar, which shows that the cult of the emperor occupied an important place in the city.
Smyrna is the second of the seven Christian congregations in Asia Minor to which the glorified Jesus Christ commanded the apostle John to write messages. (Re 1:11) The congregation was said to be materially poor but spiritually rich. He had been through trials, such as tribulation and persecution, and had had to endure the blasphemy of some who called themselves Jews but who were actually “a synagogue of Satan.” Despite their poverty and tribulation, however, the Christians in the Smyrna congregation were encouraged not to fear the things that they still had to suffer, but to go “even to death” in order that they might receive “the crown of life”. (Rev 2:8-11.)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
(See the map that accompanies the article on *Colossae). City in the Roman province of Asia, on the coast of the Aegean Sea, in what is now Asiatic Turkey. In the vicinity there was, since ancient times, a Greek colony, but it was captured and destroyed by the Libyans towards the end of the ss. VII BC, and virtually ceased to exist until it was founded again by Lisímaco, at the beginning of the ss. III BC It grew to become one of the most prosperous cities in Asia Minor. It functioned as a natural port for the old commercial route that crossed the Hermo valley, its immediate interior region being very fertile. Smyrna was a staunch ally of Rome long before the might of that empire rose to supremacy in the eastern Mediterranean. Under the empire it became famous for its beauty, and for the magnificence of its public buildings. Today it is known as Izmir, the second largest city in Asian Turkey. The gospel probably reached Smyrna at a very early date, presumably from Ephesus (Acts 19:10). The “angel of the church in Smyrna” is the one who received (Rev. 2.8-11) the second of the letters to the “seven churches … in Asia”. As it happened in other commercial cities, the church had to face the opposition of the Jews (Rev. 2.9; cf. 3.9). The description of Christ as the one who was dead and lived again (v. 8) may be an allusion to the city’s resurgence to renewed prosperity after a long period of neglect. The “crown” (v. 10) was associated with many things in Smyrna. I might suggest the victor’s crown at games, or a common form of…