the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Hierapolis
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or (Ἱεράπολις)
Hierapolis was a city in the province of Asia, picturesquely situated on a broad terrace in the mountain range which skirts the N. side of the Lycus valley. On the S. side, 6 miles away, Laodicea was plainly visible, while Colossae lay hidden from view 12 miles to the S.E. Differing widely in history and character, these three cities were evangelized together soon after the middle of the 1st century. Hierapolis was probably an old Lydian city, but in the Roman period it was always regarded as Phrygian. A change in the spelling of the name is significant. While the older form-Hieropolis, the city of the hieron-limits the sanctity to the shrine, the later form-Hierapolis, the sacred city-conveys the idea that the whole place was holy.
In such an environment Christianity had to contend not merely with a superficial Hellenic culture, but with a deep-rooted native superstition. Politically of little account, Hierapolis was important as the home of an ancient Anatolian nature-worship, the cult of Leto and her son Sabazios. The striking physical phenomena of the place were clear indications to the primitive mind of the dreaded presence of a numen which required to be propitiated. The numerous hot streams tumbling down the side of the hill on which the city stood are strongly impregnated with alum, and the snow-white incrustations which cover the rocky terraces present the appearance of ‘an immense frozen cascade, the surface wavy, as of water in its headlong course suddenly petrified’ (R. Chandler, Travels in Asia Minor3, 1817, p. 287). From a hole in the ground-probably filled up by Christians after a.d. 320-there issued fumes of mephitic vapour, which seemed to come from Hades, so that the awe-inspiring spot was called the Plutonion or Charonion (Strabo xiii. iv. 4). On account of its marvellous hot springs-regarded as a divine gift-the city was associated with the medicinal art of aesculapius, and under the Empire it became a famous health resort. It was the birth-place of Epictetus the Stoic.
Hierapolis is mentioned once in the NT (Colossians 4:13), as a city causing grave concern to Epaphras, who was apparently the founder and first pastor of its church. The cities of the Lycus valley no doubt received the gospel at the time of St. Paul’s prolonged mission in Ephesus, the city from which the light radiated over the whole province of Asia (Acts 19:10; Acts 19:26). Having acted as St. Paul’s delegate in the Lycus valley (Colossians 1:7 [Revised Version ]), Epaphras knew that the Apostle regarded its churches as in a manner his own, and after some years of strenuous labour the ‘faithful minister of Christ’ made a journey from Asia to Home to seek counsel and help in dealing with errors of doctrine and practice which threatened to undo his work.
There is a trustworthy tradition which connects the name of Philip the Apostle with Hierapolis. Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus towards the end of the 2nd cent.-as quoted by Eusebius (HE [Note: E Historia Ecclesiastica (Eusebius, etc.).] iii. 31)-states that Philip, ‘one of the twelve,’ was among ‘the great lights of Asia,’ and that he was ‘buried at Hierapolis along with his two virgin daughters.’ Theodoret (Commentary on Psalms 116) says that ‘the Apostle Philip controverted the error of the Phrygians.’ St. John is also believed to have preached at Hierapolis, and the progress of Christianity there was represented as the victory over the Echidna or serpent of aesculapius, which was identified with Satan. Hierapolis was made a metropolis by Justinian. The ruins of the city are extensive and well-preserved. The theatre is one of the finest in Asia Minor. The white terrace now bears the fanciful name of ‘Cotton Castle’ (Pambuk-Kalessi).
Literature.-W. J. Hamilton, Researches in Asia Minor, 1842, i. 507ff.; T. Lewin, Life and Epistles of St. Paul3, 1875, i. 356f., W. M. Ramsay, Hist. Geog. of Asia Minor, 1890, p. 84, and Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia, i. [1895] 84-120.
James Strahan.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Hierapolis'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/h/hierapolis.html. 1906-1918.
