Πόπλιος G4196
Publius (Latin name), a Roman official on the island of Malta
The Latin name (Publius) of the leading official on Malta who hosted Paul after his shipwreck. Acts 28:7-8 tells how Publius welcomed the shipwreck survivors and entertained them hospitably for three days. His father lay sick with fever and dysentery; Paul visited, prayed, laid hands on him, and healed him. This miracle opened doors for healing ministry across the island. Publius' title ('the leading man of the island') suggests he was the Roman governor or chief magistrate. His generous response to Paul demonstrates Roman hospitality at its best.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The Roman official (likely governor) of Malta who showed remarkable hospitality to Paul and the shipwreck survivors, and whose father was healed by Paul. Publius appears only in Acts 28:7-8, but his actions are pivotal—he provides shelter and hospitality, creating the context for Paul's healing ministry on Malta. When his own father is miraculously healed, it leads to the rest of the island's sick coming for healing. The Latin name preserved across translations shows this is a specific historical person, a named Roman official whose kindness facilitated gospel impact. 2×
AR["بوبليوسَ", "بوبليوسُ"]·ben["পুব্লিয়", "পুব্লিয়ের"]·DE["Ποπλίου", "Ποπλίῳ"]·EN["Poplios"]·FR["Publius"]·heb["פּוֹפּלִיוֹס"]·HI["पोप्लिओस,", "पोप्लिओसके,"]·ID["Poplios,"]·IT["Publio"]·jav["Publius,"]·KO["보블리오-의", "보블리오인"]·PT["Públio,"]·RU["Публия,"]·ES["Póplios"]·SW["Publio"]·TR["ateşler", "üç"]·urd["پبلیس"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Πόπλιος, -ου, ὁ (Latin), Publius: Act.28:7-8.† (From Abbott-Smith. LSJ has no entry)