Bacchides
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Bacchides in the Bible?
Bacchides was a Seleucid military commander and governor who served Antiochus IV Epiphanes and later Demetrius I Soter. He was appointed governor of Transjordan and Judea, where he conducted two major military campaigns against the Maccabees, first following the death of Nicanor and subsequently after a defeat at Beth-zur, aiming to restore Seleucid control over the region.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Bacchides provides crucial historical context for the books of Maccabees, illustrating the intense political and military pressures faced by the Jewish rebels and clarifying the Seleucid administrative structure that sought to suppress the revolt and enforce Hellenistic policies.
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.