Magdala

Type Settlement
Usage Ancient Aramaic, Biblical Greek [1]
Scripts Μαγδαλά(Ancient Greek)

Meaning & History

The name of an ancient town in northern Israel on the Sea of Galilee. It is derived from Aramaic מגדלא (maḡḏala) meaning "tower", with the cognate Hebrew form being מִגְדָּל (Miḡdal). This town is mentioned briefly in the New Testament. It is the source of the surname of the biblical figure Mary Magdalene, who likely came from that town.

Related Names

Other Languages & CulturesMigdal(Ancient Hebrew)
Given Name DescendantMagdalene(Biblical Greek)

Sources & References

  1. Strong, James. The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, entry g3093, available from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=g3093.
Entry added May 30, 2025