Syro-phenician
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The term "Syro-Phoenician" is used in the New Testament to describe a woman of mixed Syrian and Phoenician descent. This designation is found in the Gospel of Mark, where it refers to a Gentile woman who approached Jesus for the healing of her demon-possessed daughter. The account is significant for its demonstration of Jesus' ministry extending beyond the Jewish people to include Gentiles.

Biblical Account

The primary reference to the Syro-Phoenician woman is found in Mark 7:24-30. In this passage, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, which is located in modern-day Lebanon. Here, a woman whose daughter is possessed by an unclean spirit comes to Jesus, seeking His help. Mark 7:26 states, "The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. And she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter."

The term "Syro-Phoenician" highlights her cultural and ethnic background, indicating that she was a Gentile, not a Jew. This is further emphasized by the Gospel of Matthew, which refers to her as a "Canaanite woman" (Matthew 15:22), underscoring her non-Jewish heritage.

Interaction with Jesus

The interaction between Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician woman is notable for its depth and theological implications. Initially, Jesus responds to her request with a statement that seems to reflect the prevailing Jewish view of Gentiles: "Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs" (Mark 7:27). Here, "children" refers to the Israelites, while "dogs" was a common term used by Jews to describe Gentiles.

However, the woman's response is both humble and persistent: "Yes, Lord," she replied, "even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs" (Mark 7:28). Her faith and understanding of Jesus' mission are evident in her reply, which acknowledges the priority of Israel in God's plan while also expressing hope in the abundance of God's mercy.

Jesus' Response and Healing

Impressed by her faith, Jesus grants her request, saying, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter" (Mark 7:29). The woman's daughter is healed at that very moment, demonstrating the power of faith and the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry.

Theological Significance

The account of the Syro-Phoenician woman is significant for several reasons. It illustrates the breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers in the ministry of Jesus, highlighting the universal scope of the Gospel. The woman's faith serves as a model for all believers, showing that persistence and humility in seeking Jesus can lead to divine intervention and blessing.

Furthermore, this encounter foreshadows the later mission of the apostles to the Gentiles, as seen in the Book of Acts. It underscores the theme that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all people, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background, fulfilling the promise that "all nations will be blessed" through Abraham's seed (Genesis 22:18).

Cultural and Historical Context

The region of Syro-Phoenicia was part of the larger area known as Phoenicia, famous for its seafaring and trade. The Phoenicians were known for their cities, such as Tyre and Sidon, which were centers of commerce and culture. The term "Syro-Phoenician" reflects the Hellenistic influence in the region following the conquests of Alexander the Great, which led to a blending of Greek and local cultures.

In the context of the New Testament, the Syro-Phoenician woman's account serves as a reminder of the diverse cultural landscape of the ancient Near East and the far-reaching impact of Jesus' ministry.
Greek
4949. Surophoinikissa -- a Syrophoenician (woman)
... Feminine of a compound of Suros and the same as Phoinike; a Syro-phoenician woman,
ie A female native of Phoenicia in Syria -- Syrophenician. see GREEK Suros. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4949.htm - 6k
Library

"Nothing is Impossible to Industry, "Said one of the Seven Sages ...
... Sheer importunity succeeds where all other pleas and influences had failed.
The case of the Syrophenician woman is a parable in action. ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter vi nothing is impossible.htm

Prayer and Importunity
... prayer. We have the same teaching emphasized in the incident of the
Syrophenician woman, who came to Jesus on behalf of her daughter. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vi prayer and importunity.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
... Like the Syro-Phenician woman, he had low thoughts of himself, and high thoughts
of God: therefore he was in a condition to receive the grace of God. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter iv grace abounding to.htm

Never a Man Like Him
... For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and
came and fell at his feet: the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter vii never a man.htm

Ahaziah
... Jewish nation. She was a Syro-Phenician princess, whose father ruled over
the powerful and wealthy cities of Tyre and Sidon. Ahab ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ahaziah.htm

The Evening Light
... law said, "Stone her to death"; but Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn thee; go and
sin no more." Notice also his compassion toward the Syrophenician woman, who ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xiii the evening light.htm

Christ's Own Testimony Concerning Himself.
... which is frequently given to Christ as an official title of the promised Messiah,
the King of Israel, as by the two blind men, the Syrophenician woman, and the ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/christs own testimony concerning himself.htm

Children and Little Dogs
... The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him
that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.87. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/children and little dogs.htm

Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
... word. [God's unanswering silence is a severe test of our faith.] ^b 26
Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by race. [The ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxvii healing a phoenician womans.htm

Mother's Love
... And this woman was a Greek, a Syro- phenician by nation"of a mixed race of people,
notoriously low and profligate, and old enemies of the Jews. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon viii mothers love.htm

Thesaurus
Syrophenician (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary "a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation" (Mark 7:26), ie,
a Gentile born in the Phoenician part of Syria. ...Syrophenician (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/syrophenician.htm - 7k

Syro-phenician (1 Occurrence)
Syro-phenician. Syrophenician, Syro-phenician. Syrophoenician . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Syrophenician, Syro-phenician. Syrophoenician . Reference Bible
/s/syro-phenician.htm - 6k

Syrophoenician (1 Occurrence)
... Surophoinissa, Surophoinikissa; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek has
variant Sura Phoinikissa; the King James Version Syrophenician): The woman ...
/s/syrophoenician.htm - 7k

Nation (192 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him
that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. (KJV WEY WBS YLT). ...
/n/nation.htm - 40k

Besought (57 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY DBY WBS RSV). Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation;
and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. ...
/b/besought.htm - 23k

Asking (111 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:26 and the woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phenician by nation -- and was asking
him, that the demon he may cast forth out of her daughter. (YLT NAS). ...
/a/asking.htm - 34k

Syrian (12 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:26 and the woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phenician by nation -- and was asking
him, that the demon he may cast forth out of her daughter. (See NIV). ...
/s/syrian.htm - 10k

Syrophoeni'cian (1 Occurrence)
... Mark 7:26 and the woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phenician by nation -- and was asking
him, that the demon he may cast forth out of her daughter. (See RSV). ...
/s/syrophoeni'cian.htm - 6k

Devil (58 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought
him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. (KJV). ...
/d/devil.htm - 25k

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

/s/syrians.htm - 37k

Resources
Why, when, and for how long was the apostle Paul in Arabia? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Jesus eating with sinners? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Syro-phenician (1 Occurrence)

Mark 7:26
and the woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phenician by nation -- and was asking him, that the demon he may cast forth out of her daughter.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Syro-phenician

Syrophoenicia

Related Terms

Syro-phenician (1 Occurrence)

Syrophoenician (1 Occurrence)

Nation (192 Occurrences)

Besought (57 Occurrences)

Asking (111 Occurrences)

Syrian (12 Occurrences)

Syrophoeni'cian (1 Occurrence)

Devil (58 Occurrences)

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

Evil (1503 Occurrences)

Syrophenician
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