Alcimus
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Alcimus in the Bible?
Alcimus served as high priest from approximately 163 to 161 BCE, securing his position through the political backing of Seleucid King Demetrius I Soter against the resistance of the Maccabean faction. His tenure was marked by internal conflict within the Jewish community, and he died suddenly during a military campaign, an event recorded as a paralytic stroke.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Alcimus clarifies the intense political and religious fractures in Judea during the Maccabean revolt, illustrating how Seleucid intervention exacerbated divisions between Hellenized Jewish elites and traditionalist groups, which shaped the narrative of priestly legitimacy in 1 Maccabees.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.