The term "Syrophenician" appears in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Mark, to describe a woman who approached Jesus seeking healing for her demon-possessed daughter. The Syrophenician woman is a significant figure in the Gospels, illustrating themes of faith, humility, and the breaking of cultural barriers.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to the Syrophenician woman is found in Mark 7:24-30. In this passage, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, where He encounters the woman. Mark 7:26 states, "The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter."

Cultural and Historical Context:

The term "Syrophenician" refers to a person from the region of Phoenicia, which was part of the Roman province of Syria. This area was known for its diverse population, including Greeks, Romans, and indigenous Semitic peoples. The Syrophenician woman, being described as Greek, indicates her Hellenistic cultural background, which was distinct from the Jewish culture of Jesus and His disciples.

Theological Significance:

The encounter between Jesus and the Syrophenician woman is rich with theological implications. Initially, Jesus responds to her request with a statement that reflects the prevailing Jewish view of Gentiles: "Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs" (Mark 7:27). Here, "children" refers to the Israelites, while "dogs" was a common term used by Jews to describe Gentiles.

The woman's reply demonstrates her humility and faith: "Yes, Lord," she replied, "even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs" (Mark 7:28). Her response shows a profound understanding of Jesus' mission and a deep faith in His power to heal, even if she is not part of the chosen people of Israel.

Jesus commends her faith and grants her request, saying, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter" (Mark 7:29). This interaction highlights the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry and foreshadows the extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Lessons and Applications:

The account of the Syrophenician woman teaches several important lessons. Her persistence in seeking Jesus' help, despite cultural and religious barriers, exemplifies the kind of faith that pleases God. Her humility in accepting her position and yet boldly asking for mercy is a model for believers approaching God in prayer.

Moreover, this account underscores the breaking down of ethnic and cultural divisions in the Kingdom of God. Jesus' willingness to heal the woman's daughter signifies the opening of God's grace to all people, regardless of their background. This narrative encourages believers to embrace a spirit of inclusivity and to recognize the universal scope of the Gospel message.

In summary, the Syrophenician woman stands as a testament to the power of faith and the expansive reach of Jesus' ministry, challenging believers to transcend cultural boundaries and to approach God with humility and persistence."a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation" (Mark 7:26), i.e., a Gentile born in the Phoenician part of Syria. (see PHENICIA.)

When our Lord retired into the borderland of Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:21), a Syro-phoenician woman came to him, and earnestly besought him, in behalf of her daughter, who was grievously afflicted with a demon. Her faith in him was severely tested by his silence (Matthew 15:23), refusal (24), and seeming reproach that it was not meet to cast the children's bread to dogs (26). But it stood the test, and her petition was graciously granted, because of the greatness of her faith (28).

4949. Surophoinikissa -- 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 -- Syrophenician. see GREEK Suros. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4949.htm - 6k

"Nothing is Impossible to Industry, "Said one of the Seven Sages ...
... Sheer importunity succeeds where all other pleas and influences had failed.
The case of the Syrophenician woman is a parable in action. ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter vi nothing is impossible.htm

Prayer and Importunity
... prayer. We have the same teaching emphasized in the incident of the
Syrophenician woman, who came to Jesus on behalf of her daughter. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vi prayer and importunity.htm

Never a Man Like Him
... For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and
came and fell at his feet: the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter vii never a man.htm

The Evening Light
... law said, "Stone her to death"; but Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn thee; go and
sin no more." Notice also his compassion toward the Syrophenician woman, who ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xiii the evening light.htm

Christ's Own Testimony Concerning Himself.
... which is frequently given to Christ as an official title of the promised Messiah,
the King of Israel, as by the two blind men, the Syrophenician woman, and the ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/christs own testimony concerning himself.htm

Children and Little Dogs
... The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him
that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.87. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/children and little dogs.htm

Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
... word. [God's unanswering silence is a severe test of our faith.] ^b 26
Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by race. [The ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxvii healing a phoenician womans.htm

Some General Matters and Some Biblical Characters. The Bible Book ...
... (6) The Samaritan woman. Jho. Ch.4. (7) The Syrophenician woman, Matt.15:21-28.
(8) Peter's mother in-law. Matt.8: 14-17. (9) The widow of Nain, Lu.7:11. ...
/.../chapter viii some general matters.htm

Tenth Lesson. What Wilt Thou?'
... And so He said to the Syrophenician woman, too: Great is thy faith: be it unto thee
even as thou wilt.' Faith is nothing but the purpose of the will resting on ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/tenth lesson what wilt thou.htm

The Prayer of Faith is the Only Power in the Universe to which the ...
... With Jacob it was a wrestling; with the Syrophenician women it was a struggle which
called into play all the higher qualities of the soul, and which demanded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter v the prayer of.htm

Syrophenician (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary "a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation" (Mark 7:26), ie,
a Gentile born in the Phoenician part of Syria. ...Syrophenician (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/syrophenician.htm - 7k

Nation (192 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him
that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. (KJV WEY WBS YLT). ...
/n/nation.htm - 40k

Besought (57 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY DBY WBS RSV). Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation;
and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. ...
/b/besought.htm - 23k

Syrophoenician (1 Occurrence)
... Surophoinissa, Surophoinikissa; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek has
variant Sura Phoinikissa; the King James Version Syrophenician): The woman ...
/s/syrophoenician.htm - 7k

Syro-phenician (1 Occurrence)
Syro-phenician. Syrophenician, Syro-phenician. Syrophoenician . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (YLT). Syrophenician, Syro-phenician. Syrophoenician . ...
/s/syro-phenician.htm - 6k

Devil (58 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought
him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. (KJV). ...
/d/devil.htm - 25k

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

/s/syrians.htm - 37k

Evil (1503 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought
him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. ...
/e/evil.htm - 47k

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