The term "provincial" in a biblical context refers to matters related to provinces, which were administrative regions within larger empires or kingdoms. In the Bible, provinces are often mentioned in relation to the empires that ruled over the Israelites, such as the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Roman empires. These provinces were governed by officials who were responsible for maintaining order, collecting taxes, and implementing the decrees of the central authority.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of provinces is particularly evident during the periods of foreign domination over Israel. For instance, during the Persian Empire, the land of Israel was part of the province known as "Beyond the River" (Ezra 4:10). The Persian Empire was divided into several provinces, each overseen by a governor or satrap. The book of Esther provides insight into the administrative structure of the Persian Empire, mentioning the "127 provinces from India to Cush" (Esther 1:1).

The role of provincial governors is also highlighted in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah himself was appointed as the governor of Judah, a province within the Persian Empire, and was tasked with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:7-8). His governorship illustrates the responsibilities and challenges faced by provincial leaders in maintaining loyalty to the central authority while addressing local needs.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Roman Empire's provincial system is more prominent. The Roman Empire was divided into senatorial and imperial provinces, each governed by officials such as proconsuls or procurators. Judea, where much of the New Testament narrative takes place, was an imperial province governed by a procurator, such as Pontius Pilate, who played a crucial role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ (John 18:28-19:16).

The Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys also reflect the provincial structure of the Roman Empire. Paul traveled through various provinces, such as Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches. His Roman citizenship afforded him certain protections and privileges as he navigated the provincial legal systems (Acts 22:25-29).

Provincial Governance and Biblical Themes

The concept of provincial governance in the Bible underscores themes of authority, justice, and the tension between earthly and divine rule. The Bible often contrasts the imperfect justice of human rulers with the perfect justice of God. For example, the account of Daniel in the lion's den (Daniel 6) highlights the limitations of provincial rulers and the ultimate sovereignty of God over human affairs.

Moreover, the spread of the Gospel in the New Testament is facilitated by the Roman provincial system, which provided infrastructure and relative stability. This allowed the early Christians to travel and communicate across vast distances, fulfilling the Great Commission to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).

In summary, the concept of "provincial" in the Bible reflects the historical and administrative realities of ancient empires, while also serving as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through His people.1. (a.) Characteristic of the inhabitants of a province; not cosmopolitan; not polished; uncultured; rude; hence, narrow; illiberal.

2. (a.) of or pertaining to province; constituting a province; as, a provincial government; a provincial dialect.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to an ecclesiastical province, or to the jurisdiction of an archbishop; not ecumenical; as, a provincial synod.

4. (a.) of or pertaining to Province; Provencal.

5. (n.) A person belonging to a province; one who is provincial.

6. (n.) A monastic superior, who, under the general of his order, has the direction of all the religious houses of the same fraternity in a given district, called a province of the order.

960. Beroia -- Berea, a city of Macedonia
... Berea. Perhaps a provincial from a derivative of peran (Peroea, ie The region beyond
the coast-line); Beroea, a place in Macedonia -- Berea. see GREEK peran. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/960.htm - 6k

4824. sumboulion -- counsel, by impl. a council
... Neuter of a presumed derivative of sumboulos; advisement; specially, a deliberative
body, ie The provincial assessors or lay-court -- consultation, counsel ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4824.htm - 6k

5181. Turannos -- "absolute ruler," Tyrannus, an Ephesian
... Tyrannus. A provincial form of the derivative of the base of kurios; a "tyrant";
Tyrannus, an Ephesian -- Tyrannus. see GREEK kurios. (turannou) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5181.htm - 6k

959. Bernike -- Berenice, Bernice, daughter of Herod Agrippa I
... Bernice. From a provincial form of phero and nike; victorious; Bernice, a member
of the Herodian family -- Bernice. see GREEK phero. see GREEK nike. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/959.htm - 6k

Introductory Note to the Canons of the Provincial Synods which in ...
... Introductory Note to the Canons of the Provincial Synods which in this. Volume are
Interjected Between the First and the Second Ecumenical Councils. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/introductory note to the canons.htm

If any Provincial Bishops were not Present at the Holy Synod and ...
... Canon II. If any provincial bishops were not present at the holy Synod
and have joined or? If any provincial bishops were not ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ii if any provincial.htm

Vocation
... You must go to the Provincial, for only he can admit you. ... The Provincial did not
wish to risk having a like disturbance brought about his own ears. ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter ix vocation.htm

The Saint Leaves Her Monastery of the Incarnation for a Time, at ...
... on so secretly as not to come to the knowledge of divers persons; some believed,
in it, others did not, I was in great fear lest the Provincial should be ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxxiv the saint leaves.htm

The Separation of the Provinces, 1857-1899.
... feared that if these demands were granted the unity of the Moravian Church would
be destroyed; and next year they met in a German Provincial Synod, condemned ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the separation of.htm

The Foundation of the Monastery Hindered. Our Lord Consoles the ...
... matter was in this state"so near its conclusion, that on the very next day the papers
were to be signed"then it was that the Father Provincial changed his ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxxiii the foundation of.htm

Constantine's Letter to Eusebius and Other Bishops, Respecting the ...
... respecting the Building of Churches, with Instructions to repair the Old, and erect
New Ones on a Larger Scale, with the Aid of the Provincial Governors. ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xlvi constantines letter to eusebius.htm

Excursus on the Translation of Bishops.
... [88] From the canons of some provincial councils, and especially from those of the
Third and of the Fourth Council of Carthage, it is evident that despite the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the translation of.htm

His Journey to Rome, Venice, Jerusalem, and the Holy Land
... it. The Father Guardian said this could be done, but he should wait for
the arrival of the Provincial, who was then at Bethlehem. ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter iv his journey to.htm

The Struggle in America, 1762-1857.
... For forty-eight years their Provincial Synods had been attended by ministers only;
but now by special permission of the UEC, they summoned a Provincial Synod ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the struggle in.htm

Provincial (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) of or pertaining to province; constituting a province; as, a
provincial government; a provincial dialect. 3. (a.) of or ...
/p/provincial.htm - 9k

Province (66 Occurrences)
... jurisdiction"; eparchia (English Versions of the Bible, province) (Acts 23:34; Acts
25:1)): 1. Meaning of the Term 2. Roman Provincial Administration (1) First ...
/p/province.htm - 38k

Asiarch
... Brandis has shown that they were not "high priests of Asia," as some have thought,
but delegates of individual cities to the provincial Council (Commune Asioe ...
/a/asiarch.htm - 8k

Galatia (6 Occurrences)
... that he consistently and naturally took a Roman view, used names in a Roman connotation,
and grouped his churches according to Roman provincial divisions; but ...
/g/galatia.htm - 23k

Proving (14 Occurrences)

/p/proving.htm - 10k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... His ideas were provincial rather than Roman, and favorable to the amalgamation
of classes, and the leveling process now steadily setting in. ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Elamarna
... The tablets make mention of " `capital cities,' `provincial cities,' `fortresses,'
`towns,' and `villages' with `camps' and Hazors (or enclosures); while ...
/e/elamarna.htm - 31k

Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... The tablets make mention of " `capital cities,' `provincial cities,' `fortresses,'
`towns,' and `villages' with `camps' and Hazors (or enclosures); while ...
/t/tablets.htm - 41k

El-amarna
... The tablets make mention of " `capital cities,' `provincial cities,' `fortresses,'
`towns,' and `villages' with `camps' and Hazors (or enclosures); while ...
/e/el-amarna.htm - 31k

Tell (3056 Occurrences)
... The tablets make mention of " `capital cities,' `provincial cities,' `fortresses,'
`towns,' and `villages' with `camps' and Hazors (or enclosures); while ...
/t/tell.htm - 33k

What is the Moravian Church? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the satraps in the book of Daniel? | GotQuestions.org

Provincial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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