The term "Syro-Phoenician" is used in the New Testament to describe a woman of mixed Syrian and Phoenician descent. This term appears in the Gospel of Mark, specifically in Mark 7:26, where it is used to identify the ethnicity of a woman who approaches Jesus for the healing of her demon-possessed daughter. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as follows: "The woman was a Greek, of Syrophoenician descent, and she kept asking Him to drive the demon out of her daughter."

Historical and Cultural Context

The Syro-Phoenician region was located in the area that is now modern-day Lebanon and parts of Syria. This region was known for its diverse population, which included a mix of ethnic groups such as the Canaanites, Arameans, and Greeks. The Phoenicians were renowned for their seafaring and trade, and they played a significant role in the cultural and economic exchanges of the ancient Near East.

The term "Syro-Phoenician" reflects the Hellenistic influence in the region following the conquests of Alexander the Great. The Greek culture and language had a significant impact on the local populations, leading to a blending of traditions and identities. This cultural amalgamation is evident in the New Testament's reference to the woman as both "Greek" and "Syro-Phoenician."

Biblical Significance

The encounter between Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician woman is significant for several reasons. First, it highlights the universality of Jesus' ministry. Although Jesus initially focused His mission on the "lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 15:24), His interaction with the Syro-Phoenician woman demonstrates His willingness to extend grace and healing beyond the boundaries of ethnic and religious identity.

The woman's persistence and faith are central to the narrative. Despite being a Gentile, she approaches Jesus with humility and determination, acknowledging His authority and power. Her response to Jesus' initial reluctance is marked by a profound understanding of His mission and a deep faith in His ability to heal. Jesus commends her faith, saying, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter" (Mark 7:29).

Theological Implications

The account of the Syro-Phoenician woman underscores the theme of faith transcending cultural and ethnic barriers. It serves as a precursor to the broader mission of the early Church, which would later embrace Gentiles as part of the covenant community. The narrative challenges the prevailing Jewish exclusivism of the time and foreshadows the inclusion of all nations in the redemptive plan of God.

Furthermore, the account illustrates the power of persistent faith and the importance of approaching God with humility and trust. The Syro-Phoenician woman's interaction with Jesus is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the boundless reach of God's mercy and grace.

Conclusion

The Syro-Phoenician woman stands as a powerful example of faith and determination in the New Testament. Her account is a reminder of the inclusive nature of the Gospel and the call to extend God's love and grace to all people, regardless of their background or ethnicity.4949. Surophoinikissa -- a Syrophoenician (woman)
... 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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4949.htm - 6k

Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman
... JESUS AND THE SYRO-PHOENICIAN WOMAN. ... Mark calls her, a Syro-Phoenician (to distinguish
her country from Lybo-Phoenicia), and a Greek' - that is, a heathen. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxiii jesus and the.htm

The Syro-Phoenician Woman. (Matt. , xv. , 21; Mark, vii. , 24. ) ...
... Section 184. The Syro-Phoenician Woman. (Matt., xv., 21; Mark, vii., 24.)"(1.) Her
Prayer."(2.) Her Repulse."(3.) Her Faith."(4.) The Result. (1.) ...
/.../section 184 the syro-phoenician woman.htm

Genesis xxvii. 38
... But the point of the story to which the text refers, and which is illustrated also
by the words of the Syrophoenician woman, is one which very directly ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xviii genesis xxvii 38.htm

Crumbs and the Bread
... border land. The incident of the Syro-Phoenician woman becomes more striking
if we suppose that it took place on Gentile ground. At ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/crumbs and the bread.htm

The Ministry in Galilee --The New Lesson
... In fact it seems as if he welcomed the Syrophoenician woman's great faith with a
feeling of relief from a restriction that he had felt it wise to adopt for his ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iv the ministry in galileethe.htm

A Group of Miracles among a Semi-Heathen Population
... brief stay of Jesus in that friendly Jewish home by the borders of Tyre could not
remain unknown, the fame of the healing of the Syro-Phoenician maiden would ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxiv a group of.htm

The Gospel According to St. Mark
... the boat, and the pillow whereon our Lord slept (iv.38); the Gerasene demoniac cutting
himself with stones (v.5); the woman who was a Syro-Phoenician but spoke ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iv the gospel according.htm

The Importunate Widow.
... The case of the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matthew 15:21-28) runs parallel with this
as well as with the "Friend at midnight." Mark how the Lord bore with the woman ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxviii the importunate widow.htm

Spiritual Diagnosis
... at Samaria to have a quiet talk with one woman at a well, how He stole away from
crowds and entered into the house of one humble Syro-Phoenician woman, "and ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/spiritual diagnosis.htm

The Woman of Canaan
... picture illustrates the scenery and gardens in the neighborhood of Beyrout, which
lies on the coast at the foot of Lebanon and within the Syro-Phoenician border ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the woman of canaan.htm

Syrophoenician (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SYROPHOENICIAN. ...Syrophoenician (1 Occurrence).
Mark 7:26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. ...
/s/syrophoenician.htm - 7k

Syro-phoenician (1 Occurrence)
... Syrophoenician, Syro-phoenician. Syrophoeni'cian . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEY BBE). Syrophoenician, Syro-phoenician. Syrophoeni'cian . Reference Bible
/s/syro-phoenician.htm - 6k

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)
... It is conjectured that the Syrophoenician woman mentioned in Luke 4:26 was an
inhabitant of Zarephath., and it is possible that our Lord visited the place in ...
/z/zarephath.htm - 11k

Gentile (24 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:26 She was a Gentile woman, a Syro-phoenician by nation: and again and again
she begged Him to expel the demon from her daughter. (WEY NAS). ...
/g/gentile.htm - 13k

Greek (19 Occurrences)
... Greek (19 Occurrences). Mark 7:26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by
race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. ...
/g/greek.htm - 13k

Race (36 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 7:26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged
him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. (WEB ASV DBY NAS). ...
/r/race.htm - 19k

Expel (29 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 7:26 She was a Gentile woman, a Syro-phoenician by nation: and again
and again she begged Him to expel the demon from her daughter. (WEY). ...
/e/expel.htm - 15k

Drive (132 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Mark 7:26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged
him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. (See NIV). ...
/d/drive.htm - 38k

Born (228 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him
that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. (See NIV). ...
/b/born.htm - 38k

Begged (71 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Mark 7:26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged
him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. (WEB WEY RSV NIV). ...
/b/begged.htm - 26k

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