Miletus Theater 'God-fearers' Inscription
A reserved seat row for 'the Jews who are also God-fearers' in the city where Paul said farewell
Found 1906 — German excavations at Miletus under Theodor Wiegand (Berlin Museums, 1899–1931); published by Adolf Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East (1908)
Where Theater of Miletus (Balat), Aydın Province (Turkey)
Dates from 2nd–3rd century CE · Roman Imperial · Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20)
Now at In situ, theater of Miletus, Turkey
How Miletus Theater 'God-fearers' Inscription was found
Cut into the front of a seat row in the fifth block of the theater's lower cavea, among other rows marked for guilds and groups.
What it is
A Greek seat inscription reading ΤΟΠΟΣ ΕΙΟΥΔΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΣΕΒΙΟΝ, 'Place of the Jews who are also God-fearers' (or, on another reading, 'of the Jews and of the God-fearers'). The theater itself, seating 15,000, is one of the largest in Asia Minor.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts uses 'God-fearers' and 'worshippers of God' for Gentiles attached to synagogues, and critics once doubted the group existed. This seat, with the Aphrodisias stele, proves the term was used for real people with a public place in city life. It also shows Jews of Miletus attending the theater as a recognised body. Paul met the Ephesian elders here on his way to Jerusalem, and the harbour and theater are the setting of that tearful farewell.
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 / phoboumenoi ton theon) (Strong's H3373 / G2318).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
Places
- Miletus — מִילֵטוֹס (MEE-leh-tos) — Greek Miletos
Events
Paul's farewell speech to the Ephesian elders
Miletus Theater 'God-fearers' Inscription in Scripture
Acts 20:15 One of only 3 verses that name Miletus.
Acts 20:17-18 Paul at Miletus sends for the Ephesian elders — the city of this theater.
2 Timothy 4:20 'Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.'
Questions people ask
What is Miletus Theater 'God-fearers' Inscription?
A Greek seat inscription reading ΤΟΠΟΣ ΕΙΟΥΔΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΣΕΒΙΟΝ, 'Place of the Jews who are also God-fearers' (or, on another reading, 'of the Jews and of the God-fearers'). The theater itself, seating 15,000, is one of the largest in Asia Minor.
When was Miletus Theater 'God-fearers' Inscription discovered?
It was found in 1906 by German excavations at Miletus under Theodor Wiegand (Berlin Museums, 1899–1931); published by Adolf Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East (1908), at Theater of Miletus (Balat), Aydın Province.
Where is Miletus Theater 'God-fearers' Inscription today?
In situ, theater of Miletus, Turkey.
Which Bible verses does Miletus Theater 'God-fearers' Inscription relate to?
Acts 20:15, Acts 20:17-18, 2 Timothy 4:20.
Related discoveries
- יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִיםAphrodisias 'God-fearers' SteleA donor list separating Jews, proselytes, and 'theosebeis' — the clearest proof of the God-fearers of Acts
- תֵּאַטְרוֹןGreat Theater of EphesusThe 24,000-seat theater where the silversmiths' riot shouted 'Great is Artemis'
- תֵּאַטְרוֹןTheater of CorinthRoman theater beside the Erastus pavement, seat of the city's public life
- עִבְרִים'Synagogue of the Hebrews' Lintel (Corinth)Marble doorway block from a Jewish meeting house in Paul's Corinth
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
- תַּרְשִׁישׁTarsus: The Roman Road and Cleopatra's GatePaved street and city gate of Paul's 'no mean city'
Sources
- A. Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East (1910), pp. 446–448
- H. Hommel, 'Juden und Christen im kaiserzeitlichen Milet', Istanbuler Mitteilungen 25 (1975)
- HolyLandPhotos blog, "God Fearers in the Synagogue and Early Church — Evidence from Miletus" (fifth row, in situ)
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