Biblical Geography: The Decapolis

by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Map of the Decapolis

Introduction:

Decapolis – literally “Ten Cities” in Greek; a league of semi-independent Greek cities next to but not part of first-century Israel.
Here is the traditional list of the cities (from Roman historian Pliny the Elder, NH 5.16.74):

  1. Gerasa – Jerash, in modern Jordan (Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26; 8:37)
  2. Scythopolis – Beth-Shean, in modern Israel, only city west of Jordan River
  3. Hippos (or Hippus?) – Sussita, in modern Israel
  4. Gadara – Umm Qais, in modern Jordan (Matt 8:28)
  5. Pella – West of Irbid, in modern Jordan
  6. Philadelphia – Amman, capital of modern Jordan
  7. Capitolias – Beit Ras, in modern Jordan (Dion)
  8. Canatha (or Konata?) – Qanawat, in modern Syria
  9. Raphana – in modern Jordan
  10. Damascus – capital of ancient & modern Syria

Note: Some other lists include Dion and Abila, in place of Capitolias and Canatha. Others also include Philoterio.
Exactly which cities were included may have changed over time, or the names of some cities may also have changed over the years.

NT Texts:

The name “Decapolis” is not mentioned in the OT, and only three times the NT:

Only three of the cities are mentioned individually in the NT: Gadara, Gerasa, and Damascus:

Gadara and/or Gerasa:

Cities of the DecapolisDamascus – Mentioned 61 times in the NRSV translation of the Bible: 45 times in the OT (esp. Kings & Isaiah); 16 times in the NT (esp. Acts 9, 22, 26; also 2 Cor 11:32; Gal 1:17).

 

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