Aphrodisias 'God-fearers' Stele
A donor list separating Jews, proselytes, and 'theosebeis' — the clearest proof of the God-fearers of Acts
Found 1976 — New York University excavations at Aphrodisias under Kenan T. Erim; published by Joyce Reynolds and Robert Tannenbaum (1987)
Where Aphrodisias (Geyre), Aydın Province (Turkey)
Dates from late 4th–5th century CE (earlier proposal: early 3rd century) · Late Roman · The 'God-fearers' of Acts
Now at Aphrodisias Museum, Geyre, Turkey
How Aphrodisias 'God-fearers' Stele was found
Found in 1976 north-west of the present museum during preparations for its construction: a tall marble pillar (2.8 m) inscribed on two faces with lists of donors, including proselytes and theosebeis (God-fearers), to a Jewish charitable institution.
What it is
A marble block about 2.8 metres tall listing over 120 names. Face A names Jews and three proselytes; face B lists 54 Jews and then, under the heading 'and those who are theosebeis (God-fearers),' 52 more men, nine of them city councillors, with Greek names and ordinary trades.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts repeatedly mentions Gentiles who worshipped Israel's God at the synagogue without becoming full converts — Cornelius, Lydia, Titius Justus, the 'God-fearers' of Antioch. Some scholars argued Luke invented this category. The Aphrodisias stele lists God-fearers as a distinct group beside Jews and proselytes, some of them prominent citizens, exactly the kind of people Paul reached first in each city. It is later than Acts but confirms the social reality behind Luke's phrase.
The Hebrew word: yeer-EH eh-lo-HEEM
יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִים
יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִים is pronounced yeer-EH eh-lo-HEEM and means God-fearers (Greek theosebeis) (Strong's G2318).
People this discovery connects to
- Cornelius — קוֹרְנֵלִיּוֹס (kor-NEH-lee-os) — Latin Cornelius, God-fearing centurion
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
Places
- Aphrodisias — אַפְרוֹדִיסִיאַס (ah-fro-DEE-see-ahs) — Greek Aphrodisias, city of Aphrodite in Caria
Events
Gentile God-fearers attached to synagogues across the diaspora
Aphrodisias 'God-fearers' Stele in Scripture
Acts 10:1 First mention of Cornelius in Scripture.
Acts 10:2 Cornelius, 'a devout man who feared God' — the type of person the stele calls theosebes.
Acts 13:16 Paul addresses 'Israelites and you who fear God' in the synagogue.
Questions people ask
What is Aphrodisias 'God-fearers' Stele?
A marble block about 2.8 metres tall listing over 120 names. Face A names Jews and three proselytes; face B lists 54 Jews and then, under the heading 'and those who are theosebeis (God-fearers),' 52 more men, nine of them city councillors, with Greek names and ordinary trades.
When was Aphrodisias 'God-fearers' Stele discovered?
It was found in 1976 by New York University excavations at Aphrodisias under Kenan T. Erim; published by Joyce Reynolds and Robert Tannenbaum (1987), at Aphrodisias (Geyre), Aydın Province.
Where is Aphrodisias 'God-fearers' Stele today?
Aphrodisias Museum, Geyre, Turkey.
Which Bible verses does Aphrodisias 'God-fearers' Stele relate to?
Acts 10:1, Acts 10:2, Acts 13:16.
Related discoveries
- קֵיסָרCaesarea MaritimaHerod's harbor city, seat of the Roman governors and home of Cornelius and Philip
- יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִיםMiletus Theater 'God-fearers' InscriptionA reserved seat row for 'the Jews who are also God-fearers' in the city where Paul said farewell
- מְנוֹרָהJewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue InscriptionsVigna Randanini and Villa Torlonia — the graves of the community Paul wrote to
- עִבְרִים'Synagogue of the Hebrews' Lintel (Corinth)Marble doorway block from a Jewish meeting house in Paul's Corinth
- אֲרוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁOstia SynagogueThe oldest synagogue building in Europe, at Rome's harbour town
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
Sources
- J. Reynolds & R. Tannenbaum, Jews and God-fearers at Aphrodisias (1987)
- A. Chaniotis, 'The Jews of Aphrodisias: New Evidence and Old Problems', SCI 21 (2002)
- Judaism and Rome, "The Jews, Proselytes and God-fearers of Aphrodisias" (findspot, museum entrance, dating debate)
- Aphrodisias Excavations, "Jewish Community List" (late 4th century)