Did the Laodiceans Drink Lukewarm Water? A Hydrological Inquiry into the Temperature Metaphor of Revelation 3:15–16

Yıl 2023, Sayı: 8, 72 - 87, 29.12.2023

Mark Wilson

https://doi.org/10.54577/lycus.1381310

Öz

Laodicea is the last of the Seven Churches mentioned in the book of Revelation chapters 1–3. This article examines the interpretative issues related to the well-known temperature metaphor found in chapter 3:15–16. The mention of “hot, cold, and lukewarm” has been related to the city’s hydrological situation. First discussed are the early travelers to the site and what they wrote about its water system. In the twentieth century various interpretations arose that suggested its water source was inferior to others in the Lycus valley such as at Hierapolis and Colossae. The excavation of Laodicea beginning in 2003 has revealed much new information about the city’s hydrological situation. The proconsul’s edict about water found at the South Nymphaeum gives further insight into the city’s hydrology. Unfortunately, none of this is being reflected in contemporary discussions of the temperature metaphor in Revelation. After reviewing this new data, the article concludes that the interpretation that the temperature metaphor cannot be related to Laodicea’s hydrological situation.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Seven Churches, Laodicea, temperature metaphor, water system, hydrology.

Did the Laodiceans Drink Lukewarm Water? A Hydrological Inquiry into the Temperature Metaphor of Revelation 3:15–16

Öz

Laodikya, Vahiy kitabının 1-3. bölümlerinde bahsedilen Yedi Kilise'nin sonuncusudur. Bu makale 3:15-16. bölümlerde bulunan iyi bilinen sıcaklık metaforuyla ilgili yorumlayıcı konuları incelemektedir. “Sıcak, soğuk ve ılık” tabirlerinin kullanılması şehrin hidrolojik durumuyla ilişkilendirilmiştir. İlk olarak bölgeye giden ilk gezginler ve onların su sistemi hakkında yazdıkları tartışılıyor. Yirminci yüzyılda, su kaynağının Hierapolis ve Kolossai gibi Lycus Vadisindeki diğer su kaynaklarına göre daha düşük olduğunu öne süren çeşitli yorumlar ortaya çıktı. Laodikya'da 2003 yılında başlayan kazılar, kentin hidrolojik durumu hakkında pek çok yeni bilgiyi ortaya çıkardı. Prokonsülün Güney Nymphaeum'da bulunan suyla ilgili fermanı şehrin hidrolojisi hakkında daha fazla bilgi veriyor. Ne yazık ki bunların hiçbiri Vahiy'deki sıcaklık metaforuyla ilgili çağdaş tartışmalara yansıtılmıyor. Bu yeni veriler incelendikten sonra makale, sıcaklık metaforunun Laodikya'nın hidrolojik durumuyla ilişkilendirilemeyeceği yorumunun sonucuna varıyor.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Seven Churches, Laodicea, temperature metaphor, water system, hydrology.

Kaynakça

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