Ethnarch
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "ethnarch" is derived from the Greek word "ethnarches," which is a compound of "ethnos" (nation or people) and "archo" (to rule). An ethnarch is a ruler or governor of a specific ethnic group or nation, often within a larger political entity. This title was used in the Hellenistic and Roman periods to denote leaders who had authority over a particular ethnic group, especially in regions where diverse populations coexisted under imperial rule.

In the context of the Bible, the term "ethnarch" is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in 2 Corinthians 11:32. The Apostle Paul refers to an ethnarch in his recounting of the events in Damascus: "In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me" . The term "governor" here is translated from the Greek "ethnarches," indicating that the individual had authority over the ethnic group residing in Damascus, which was under the influence of King Aretas IV of Nabatea at the time.

The role of an ethnarch was significant in maintaining order and governance among diverse populations. Ethnarchs often acted as intermediaries between the ruling empire and the local populace, ensuring that the interests of their ethnic group were represented while also enforcing the policies of the overarching government. This position required a delicate balance of loyalty to the ruling power and advocacy for the governed people.

Historically, the title of ethnarch was not limited to Jewish leaders but was used across various cultures and regions. However, in the context of Jewish history, the term is sometimes associated with leaders who had authority over the Jewish people during periods of foreign domination. For example, during the Hasmonean period, the title was used to describe leaders who had both political and religious authority.

The use of the term in the New Testament highlights the complex political landscape of the time, where local rulers and governors operated under the larger dominion of Roman authority. The presence of an ethnarch in Damascus during Paul's time illustrates the interconnectedness of different political entities and the role of local governance within the Roman Empire.

In summary, the term "ethnarch" in the biblical context refers to a leader with authority over a specific ethnic group, often serving as a liaison between the people and the ruling empire. This role was crucial in maintaining the social and political order in regions characterized by ethnic diversity and imperial control.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The governor of a province or people.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ETHNARCH

eth'-nark (2 Corinthians 11:32 margin).

See GOVERNOR.

Greek
1481. ethnarches -- an ethnarch, a governor (not king) of a ...
... an ethnarch, a governor (not king) of a province. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: ethnarches Phonetic Spelling: (eth-nar'-khace) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1481.htm - 6k
Library

The Honors that were Paid the Jews; and the Leagues that were Made ...
... I have sent you a copy of that decree, registered on the tables, which concerns
Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, the high priest and ethnarch of the Jews, that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 the honors that.htm

Herod Ejects Antigonus, the Son of Aristobulus Out of Judea, and ...
... same purpose. 3. "Marcus Antonius, imperator, to Hyrcanus the high priest
and ethnarch of the Jews, sendeth greeting. It you be ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 herod ejects antigonus.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... their Synagogue, 61; ethnarch and alabarch, 65; rich Jewish firms in, 63,. ... mission
to Rome, 220; made ethnarch, 220; banished to Gaul, 220, 236; ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm

Book 17 Footnotes
... Lat. p.451, 452. [9] A place for the horse-races. [10] When it is here said that
Philip the tetrarch, and Archelaus the king, or ethnarch, were own brother, or ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 17 footnotes.htm

The Historical Situation
... had been designated king by Herod, with Judea, Samaria, and Idumea as his kingdom;
but the emperor allowed him only the territory, with the title ethnarch. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the historical situation.htm

Reign of Abgar
... to flight. Soon afterwards, Herod died: Archelaus, his son, was appointed
by Augustus ethnarch of Jud??a. Footnotes: [3291] This ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/i reign of abgar.htm

The Child Jesus Brought from Egypt to Nazareth.
... Archelaus, under the title of Ethnarch, received Jud??a, Idum??a, and Samaria; Antipas,
under the title of Tetrarch, received Galilee and Per??a; and Philip ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xv the child jesus brought.htm

How Claudius Restored to Agrippa his Grandfathers Kingdoms and ...
... and that no dispute had been raised about those rights and privileges, even when
Aquila was governor of Alexandria; and that when the Jewish ethnarch was dead ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how claudius restored.htm

The Times of Pilate.
... the death of Antipater he was designated by his father as his successor in the kingdom,
and Augustus ratified the will, but gave him only the title of ethnarch ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ix the times of pilate.htm

How Crassus came into Judea, and Pillaged the Temple; and Then ...
... There is also an ethnarch allowed them, who governs the nation, and distributes
justice to them, and takes care of their contracts, and of the laws to them ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how crassus came.htm

Thesaurus
Ethnarch (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ETHNARCH. eth'-nark (2 Corinthians 11:32 margin).
See GOVERNOR. Multi-Version Concordance Ethnarch (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/ethnarch.htm - 7k

Tetrarch (5 Occurrences)
... It is not synonymous with "ethnarch" at least the Romans made a distinction between
Herod "tetrarch" of Galilee, Philip "tetrarch" of Trachonitis, Lysanias ...
/t/tetrarch.htm - 9k

Governor (78 Occurrences)
... (1.) Meaning an ethnarch (2 Corinthians 11:32), which was an office distinct from
military command, with considerable latitude of application. ...
/g/governor.htm - 48k

Damascus (58 Occurrences)
... Subsequently it was again in the hands of the Nabateans, and was ruled by an
ethnarch, or governor, appointed by Aretas, the Nabatean king. ...
/d/damascus.htm - 45k

Wishing (25 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). 2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the ethnarch of Aretas the king kept
the city of the Damascenes shut up, wishing to take me; (DBY YLT). ...
/w/wishing.htm - 13k

Ethnan (1 Occurrence)

/e/ethnan.htm - 6k

Ethni (1 Occurrence)

/e/ethni.htm - 6k

Asaramel
... prefer to take the phrase as a title of Simon; the original phrase is then taken
to have been wesar `am 'el, "and prince of the people of God," ie ethnarch. ...
/a/asaramel.htm - 7k

Aristobulus (1 Occurrence)
... Aristobulus was defeated and taken prisoner, and Hyrcanus was appointed ethnarch
in 63 BC Aristobulus and his two daughters were taken to Rome, where he graced ...
/a/aristobulus.htm - 9k

Watching (111 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the ethnarch of Aretas the king was watching
the city of the Damascenes, wishing to seize me, (YLT). ...
/w/watching.htm - 34k

Resources
Who was Herod the Great? | GotQuestions.org

Ethnarch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Ethnarch (1 Occurrence)

2 Corinthians 11:32
In Damascus the ethnarch of Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes shut up, wishing to take me;
(DBY YLT NAS)

Subtopics

Ethnarch

Related Terms

Ethnography

Ethnarch (1 Occurrence)

Adaiah (8 Occurrences)

Adai'ah (9 Occurrences)

Zerah (22 Occurrences)

Ethnan: Grandson of Ashur
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