Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MILETUS

(Gk. Mílētos)

An important port with four harbors in southwestern Asia Minor, situated on a promontory where the Meander River meets the Latmian Gulf. It became a large trade center and boasted a sizable population at the time of the writing of the NT. First colonized by Cretans in the Minoan period, Miletus became a fortified outpost for the Mycenean Greeks in the 14th century b.c. It was destroyed by the Persians in 494, but soon rebuilt, and under the Romans enjoyed an abundance of wealth, trade, and architectural activity.

Paul visited Miletus on his return trip to Jerusalem at the close of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:15). While there, he summoned the elders of the church at Ephesus to come to him, warning them to be steadfast and announcing that they would not see him again (Acts 20:17-38). The mention of Paul’s having “left Trophimus sick at Miletus” (2 Tim. 4:20) suggests another visit to the city.

Miletus is now more than 8 km. (5 mi.) inland, due to silting of the harbor and shifting of the Meander. The site was first excavated in 1899. Extensive Roman remains were discovered in subsequent excavations in 1938 and 1955.

Dale Ellenburg

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MILETUS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)