Bible Dictionary
Explore biblical people, places, events, objects, ideas, and other terms. Search the dictionary directly, browse alphabetically, or narrow the list by category or Testament.
SYCOMORE, TREE
Agriculture & Daily Life - Both
The sycomore tree is the sycomore-fig, a large lowland tree that produced small figs and useful timber. It grew especially in warmer regions of Palestine and Egypt, and Amos worked as a nipper or dresser of its figs.
Syene
Places & Geography - Old Testament
Syene, also called Seveneh, was a city of southern Egypt near the border of Ethiopia. It is identified with modern Aswan and was known for its granite quarries.
Symeon
People & Groups - New Testament
Symeon is a form of the name Simon used in the New Testament. It refers to several persons, including an ancestor of Jesus, a prophet and teacher at Antioch, and Simon Peter.
Synagogue
Worship & Prayer - Both
A synagogue was a Jewish assembly and place of instruction, prayer, Scripture reading, and exposition. Synagogues became widespread after the exile and provided an important setting for Jesus’ and the apostles’ teaching.
Synagogue, The Great
People & Groups - Inter-testament
The Great Synagogue is the name given in Jewish tradition to an assembly of learned men associated with Ezra and the preservation of Israel’s religious life and Scriptures. The historical details and even the extent of the institution remain uncertain.
Syntyche
People & Groups - New Testament
Syntyche was a Christian woman in the church at Philippi who had labored in the gospel. Paul urged her, together with Euodia, to be reconciled and united in the Lord.
Syracuse
Places & Geography - New Testament
Syracuse was a prominent city on the eastern coast of Sicily. Paul stopped there for three days while traveling by ship from Malta toward Rome.
Syria
Places & Geography - Both
Syria was the extensive region north and northeast of Palestine, including Aram and several smaller kingdoms. It was important throughout biblical history and was a major setting for the ministry and travels of the apostles.
Syriac
Original Language - Both
Syriac is a form of Aramaic used in the ancient Near East. Several Aramaic expressions occur in the New Testament, and an early Syriac translation of much of the Bible became known as the Peshitta.
SYRIANS
People & Groups - Both
The Syrians, or Arameans, were a Semitic people associated especially with Syria, Damascus, and regions east and north of Israel. They were related to the Hebrews but frequently opposed them in war; in the New Testament, “Syria” may refer more broadly to the inhabitants of the region.
Syrophenician
People & Groups - New Testament
A Syrophoenician was a Gentile from the Phoenician region of Syria. A Syrophoenician woman demonstrated great faith when she appealed to Jesus to deliver her daughter from a demon.
Syrophoenician
People & Groups - New Testament
Syrophoenician describes the woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon whom Jesus healed through her daughter’s deliverance. The term indicates her Gentile and Phoenician background within the Roman province of Syria.
SYRTIS
Places & Geography - New Testament
Syrtis was a dangerous region of sandbanks or quicksands off the northern coast of Africa. During Paul’s voyage to Rome, the storm-driven ship was in danger of being carried onto these shoals.
Syrtis, The
Places & Geography - New Testament
The Syrtis was a dangerous region of shallow sands and shoals off the coast of North Africa. Paul’s shipmates feared being driven into it during the voyage to Rome.
Select Pages
© 2026 AVisitWithJesus
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
