60 - Paul in Troy (ft. Olivia Oster)

60 - Paul in Troy (ft. Olivia Oster)

Author: Exploring Bible Words in Greek and Hebrew September 7, 2026 Duration: 17:18

Did you know Paul’s life changed twice in the same city?

No, it wasn’t Jerusalem. It wasn’t Damascus. It was Troy.

Troy?

Yup, like the Trojan Horse Troy. Troy itself was gone, but the entire region was named after it: Troas. Paul’s life pivoted twice in Troas.

In Acts 16:7, The spirit explicitly didn’t allow Paul to Go to Asia. We’re not told how, but we’re told that it was a pretty clear No. But frustratingly, the Spirit said no to one direction, but didn’t say where TO go. (Note that this was not a forever no. It was a not yet. Paul would one day spend a great deal of time in Asia, and especially Ephesus. But there was a reason to not go yet.)

So Paul and his companions, took a guess and tried to go towards Bithyinia. We’re not quite sure how far they got with their attempt, but the verb implies that there were plans made and then curtailed and redirected.

Did they make it right to the edge of Bithynia and get redirected? Or did they make it a few steps? We’re not quite sure.

What is clear is that eventually the Spirit sent Paul to Troas. And he did it for at least one reason that we now know…

Want to know what it was? Take a listen!

This episode digs deeper into “epeirazon” (ἐπείραζον - meaning ‘they tested’) in Acts 16:7.

Acts 16:7 - “When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” (NIV)

I’m very grateful to poet Olivia Oster for her poem “The New Paraklesis” that she shares with us at the end of this episode! Find more of her poetry here and here.

Mentioned:

Olivia Oster - Poet

Alexandria Troas

Gospel in Life - Tim Keller Sermon - podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/the-flesh-and-the-devil/

Bithynia

What is a Bammerhab?

“You have not given me into the hands of the enemybut have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV)

The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: Bammerhab.

Thanks to:

• Aaron Woodard - www.woodardsdesign.com

• Dave Allam

• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew resources



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bammerhab.substack.com

The journey through ancient texts often hinges on a single, potent term, a concept that loses dimension in translation. Bammerhab-Words from the Word is a quiet, focused excavation of those foundational terms. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific Greek or Hebrew word from scripture, peeling back layers of historical context, cultural nuance, and original meaning. This isn't about rushed readings or surface-level commentary; it's a deliberate unpacking, led by a writer with a scholar's curiosity and a storyteller's touch. You'll hear how a word's usage in everyday ancient life informs its theological weight, discovering connections and insights that typically remain hidden in plain sight. The aim is to enrich personal study and reflection by returning to the source material, offering listeners a more textured, grounded understanding of familiar passages. This podcast lives in the details, believing that a closer look at the building blocks of language can lead to a fuller appreciation of the text itself. For anyone interested in the intersection of faith, language, and history, these explorations provide substantive, contemplative material. Find more from this exploration of Bible words in Greek and Hebrew on the associated Substack page.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Bammerhab: Bible Explainer
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