Discus
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Discus in the Bible?
The discus was a circular stone or metal disk employed in ancient Greek athletic contests, specifically within the pentathlon, and its presence in Jerusalem during the Hellenistic period reflects the adoption of Greek physical culture by Jewish elites under the influence of Jason the high priest.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the discus as a Greek athletic implement clarifies the cultural tensions described in 2 Maccabees, where the establishment of a gymnasium in Jerusalem symbolized the Hellenization of Jewish society and the rejection of traditional religious distinctiveness.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Discus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Discus clarify?
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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.