Who or what is Oniares in the Bible?

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Oniares

Locations

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Geographical Setting

Oniares is a geographical location mentioned in 1 Maccabees 12:19 as a site where the Seleucid general Bacchides defeated the forces of Jonathan Maccabaeus.

What is the meaning of Oniares in the Bible?

Oniares is a locale in the Judean highlands mentioned in 1 Maccabees 12:19, where the King James Version and Revised Version render the name as Arius.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing Oniares as Arius aids in reconstructing the military geography of the Maccabean revolt, allowing readers to better trace the movements of Seleucid and Jewish forces during the conflict between Jonathan Maccabaeus and Bacchides.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Oniares held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Oniares in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Oniares 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

          "Oniares." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/oniares/
        

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