Greece (Javan), a nation and culture mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.
Also known as Grecia · Javan · wine · Hellenist · Grecian · Greeks
Greece, also known as Javan in the Old Testament, is mentioned several times in the Bible. In the book of Daniel, Greece is symbolized by a male goat in a vision (Dan.8.21) and is described as a kingdom that will rise after Persia (Dan.10.20; 11:2). The prophet Zechariah speaks of Judah being like a bow and Ephraim like an arrow against Greece (Zechariah 9:13). Greece is also listed among the nations to which God will send survivors to proclaim His glory (Isaiah 66:19). In Ezekiel's prophecy, Javan is mentioned as a trading partner of Tyre, providing slaves and bronze vessels (Ezk.27.13,19).
In the New Testament, Greece is mentioned as a region visited by Paul during his missionary journeys (Act.20.2). The term "Hellenist" is used to describe Greek-speaking Jews who had adopted Greek culture (Act.6.1; 9:29; 11:20). These references highlight the significant influence of Greek culture and language in the ancient world, as well as the tension between Greek and Jewish cultures during the time of the early church.
Approximate location: 37.953, 27.368 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
Orginally consisted of the four provinces of Macedonia, Epirus, Achaia, and Peleponnesus. In Acts 20:2 it designates only the Roman province of Macedonia. Greece was conquered by the Romans B.C. 146. After passing through various changes it was erected into an independent monarchy in 1831. Moses makes mention of Greece under the name of Javan (Gen. 10:2-5); and this name does not again occur in the Old Testament till the time of Joel (3:6). Then the Greeks and Hebrews first came into contact in the Tyrian slave-market. Prophetic notice is taken of Greece in Dan. 8:21. The cities of Greece were the special scenes of the labours of the apostle Paul.
GREECE, or HELLAS, the well-known country in the south-east of Europe. It is named four times in the O.T. as Greece or Grecia, Zech 9:13; Dan 8:21; Num 10:20; Matt 11:2, and once in the N.T., Acts 20:2. It or its people are referred to in Hebrew history as Javan, Isa 66:19; Eze 27:13, Eze 27:19, and in apostolic history as Achaia. Its cities noticed in Scripture are Atliens, Corinth, and Cenchrea. See Greeks, and for further notice of the country, see Achaia and Macedonia.
GREECE, or HELLAS, the well-known country in the south-east of Europe. It is named four times in the O.T. as Greece or Grecia, Zech 9:13; Dan 8:21; Num 10:20; Matt 11:2, and once in the N.T., Acts 20:2. It or its people are referred to in Hebrew history as Javan, Isa 66:19; Eze 27:13, Eze 27:19, and in apostolic history as Achaia. Its cities noticed in Scripture are Atliens, Corinth, and Cenchrea. See Greeks, and for further notice of the country, see Achaia and Macedonia.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
11 verses in 5 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H3120
I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your merchandise.
and casks of wine from Izal for your wares. Wrought iron, cassia, and sweet cane were exchanged for your merchandise.
The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king.
“Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
Now then, I will tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. By the power of his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.
After traveling through that area and speaking many words of encouragement, he arrived in Greece,
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.