Nicanor
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Nicanor in the Bible?
Nicanor was one of the seven assistants selected by the early Jerusalem church to manage the distribution of food. His name is derived from the Greek word for 'conqueror'.
SIGNIFICANCE
His appointment reflects the early community's effort to resolve ethnic tensions between Hebraic and Hellenistic Jewish members. He represents the administrative shift toward organized social welfare in the first-century church.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Nicanor reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Nicanor in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Nicanor 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
"Nicanor." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/nicanor/