Bible Dictionaries
Smyrna

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ssmihr' nuh) A large and important port city on the western side of Asia Minor. Although several pagan cults were among its religions, the official stance was toward worship of the emperor of Rome. A large contingent of Jews lived there, and out of these people sprang the Christian church. In Revelation 2:8-11 , the Lord praised the believers for their perseverance in the face of poverty and satanic attacks by the Jews. See Asia Minor.