Xanthicus
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Xanthicus in the Bible?
Xanthicus was a month in the Macedonian calendar, corresponding to the Jewish month of Nisan, as referenced in 2 Maccabees 11:30, 33, and 38.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Xanthicus as a Seleucid calendar month clarifies the historical setting of 2 Maccabees, illustrating the cultural and administrative overlap between Jewish traditions and the dominant Hellenistic political structures of the era.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Xanthicus. 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 Xanthicus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Xanthicus clarify?
Related Topics
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
"Xanthicus." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/xanthicus/