Menelaus
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Menelaus in the Bible?
Menelaus was a Hellenistic Jewish high priest who usurped the office from Onias III during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He was eventually put to death by being flung from a tower into ashes.
SIGNIFICANCE
Menelaus' actions had significant consequences for the Jewish people, leading to further persecution and violence under Antiochus Epiphanes.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Menelaus reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Menelaus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Menelaus 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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Menelaus." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/menelaus/