Lysias
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Lysias in the Bible?
Lysias served as the regent for the young King Antiochus V Eupator and held significant military and administrative authority in Coele-Syria and Phoenicia during the Maccabean Revolt, leading campaigns against the Jewish rebels led by Judas Maccabeus.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Lysias clarifies the political dynamics of the Seleucid court, showing that the persecution of Jews was driven by imperial administrative strategy and internal power struggles rather than solely by religious fanaticism, which provides historical context for the events recorded in 1 and 2 Maccabees.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Lysias in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Lysias clarify?
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.