Phylarch
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Phylarch in the Bible?
A phylarch was a tribal leader or commander of an irregular auxiliary force, a role specifically identified in 2 Maccabees 8:32 within the military forces of Timotheus.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the function of a phylarch clarifies the organizational structure of the irregular troops described in the Maccabean narratives, providing deeper insight into the military dynamics of the period.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Phylarch. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Phylarch in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Phylarch 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
"Phylarch." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/phylarch/