Eumenes is not a figure directly mentioned in the canonical texts of the Bible. However, his name appears in historical contexts related to the Hellenistic period, which is significant for understanding the backdrop of the intertestamental period and the cultural milieu of the New Testament.

Historical Context

Eumenes was a prominent figure in the Hellenistic world, serving as a general under Alexander the Great and later as a ruler in his own right. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, his empire was divided among his generals, known as the Diadochi. Eumenes, originally from Cardia in the Thracian Chersonese, was a skilled military leader and strategist. He played a crucial role in the Wars of the Diadochi, aligning himself with the loyalists who supported the unity of Alexander's empire against the separatist ambitions of other generals.

Relevance to Biblical Studies

While Eumenes himself is not mentioned in the Bible, understanding his role and the broader Hellenistic context is essential for biblical studies, particularly in the intertestamental period. This era, spanning the time between the Old and New Testaments, was marked by significant cultural and political shifts due to the influence of Hellenistic rulers. The spread of Hellenistic culture, language, and governance had a profound impact on Jewish society and the development of early Christianity.

The Hellenistic influence is evident in the New Testament, where Greek is the primary language of the text, and many cultural references reflect a blend of Jewish and Greek thought. The political landscape shaped by the successors of Alexander, including figures like Eumenes, set the stage for the Roman Empire's eventual dominance, under which Jesus Christ was born and the early Church emerged.

Biblical Parallels and Themes

While Eumenes himself is not a biblical character, the themes of loyalty, leadership, and the struggle for power resonate with various biblical narratives. The Bible often addresses the challenges of leadership and the consequences of division and conflict, as seen in the accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah. For example, the division of the united kingdom under Rehoboam and Jeroboam (1 Kings 12) mirrors the fragmentation of Alexander's empire among his generals.

Moreover, the biblical emphasis on God's sovereignty over human affairs can be seen in the rise and fall of empires, including the Hellenistic kingdoms. Daniel's visions, for instance, depict a succession of earthly kingdoms ultimately giving way to God's eternal kingdom (Daniel 2:44: "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.").

Conclusion

Eumenes, while not a biblical figure, represents a significant historical context that enriches our understanding of the world in which the biblical narrative unfolds. His life and times illustrate the complex interplay of power, culture, and faith that shaped the ancient world and continue to inform our reading of Scripture today.EUMENES II

u'-me-nez (Eumenes, "well-disposed"):

King of Pergamus, son and successor of Attalus I (197 B.C.). He is mentioned in the Apocrypha (1 Maccabees 8:8) in connection with the league which Judas Maccabeus made with the Romans. As their ally in the war against Antiochus the Great and in recognition of his signal service at the decisive battle of Magnesia (190 B.C.), Eumenes II was rewarded with such extensive tracts of country as raised him at once from comparative insignificance to be the sovereign of a great state. The statement in the Apocrypha describing his extension of territory differs from those of Livy, Polybius and Appian, and cannot be correct.

The Romans are said to have taken "India, and Media and Lydia" from Antiochus and to have given them to Eumenes II. Antiochus never had any possessions in India nor had any earlier king of Syria. He was obliged to give up only the countries on the side of Taurus toward Rome. No suggestion for the reading "India" in the narrative has met with acceptance (it may possibly have been a copyist's error for "Ionia"; see Livy xxxvii.44). Eumenes II cultivated the Roman alliance carefully but became suspected in connection with the affairs of Perseus, the last king of Macedonia. He never came to an open rupture with the Romans, and died in 159 B.C., after a reign of 39 years.

J. Hutchison

The Heresiarchs of that Age.
... In Alexandria Marcus [1079] was appointed pastor, after Eumenes [1080] had filled
the office thirteen years in all. ... [1080] On Eumenes, see above, chap. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi the heresiarchs of that.htm

The Bishops of Jerusalem from the Age of Our Saviour to the Period ...
... In the meantime, after the lapse of a year and some months, Eumenes, [1007] the
sixth in order, succeeded to the leadership of the Alexandrian church, his ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter v the bishops of jerusalem.htm

Bishops of Alexandria.
... Bishops of Alexandria. Annianus. Justus. Agrippinus. Dionysius. Abilius. Eumenes.
Julian. Maximus. Cerdon. Marcus. Demetrius. Theonas. Primus. Celadion. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/bishops of alexandria.htm

Elucidations.
... II. The See of Alexandria. 1. Annianus. 2. Avilius. 3. Cerdon. 4. Primus. 5. Justus.
6. Eumenes. 7. Marcus. 8. Celadion. 9. Aggripinus. 10. Julianus. 11. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen de principiis/elucidations.htm

Epistle Catholic.
... Macarius, deacon. Pistus, deacon, in like manner. Athanasius, deacon. Eumenes, deacon.
Apollonius, deacon. Olympius, deacon. Aphthonius, deacon. ...
/.../ii epistle catholic.htm

Deposition of Arius.
... Macarius, Deacon. Pistus [392] , Deacon, likewise. Athanasius, Deacon. Eumenes,
Deacon. Apollonius [393] , Deacon. Olympius, Deacon. Aphthonius [394] , Deacon. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/deposition of arius.htm

The Church History of Eusebius. Index of Subjects.
... Euclid, studied by the Theodotians, [1044]248. Euelpis, [1045]268. Eumenes, bishop
of Alexandria, [1046]177, [1047]184. Eumenia, [1048]233, [1049]242. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/the church history of eusebius.htm

Eumenes
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EUMENES II. u'-me-nez (Eumenes, "well-disposed"):
King of Pergamus, son and successor of Attalus I (197 BC). ...
/e/eumenes.htm - 7k

Antiochus
... He waged war on Eumenes of Pergamum, but without success. ... He sought the
friendship also of Eumenes of Pergamum, but without success. ...
/a/antiochus.htm - 17k

Epiphanes
... The Pergamene monarchs, Eumenes and Attalus, succeeded in placing upon the throne
the brother of Seleucus, although Heliodorus had wished to ascend the throne ...
/e/epiphanes.htm - 8k

Eulogists (2 Occurrences)

/e/eulogists.htm - 6k

Eunatan
Eunatan. Eumenes, Eunatan. Eunice . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EUNATAN.
u-na'-tan. See ENNATAN. Eumenes, Eunatan. Eunice . Reference Bible.
/e/eunatan.htm - 6k

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)
...Eumenes II (197-159 BC) was the most illustrious king of the dynasty, and
during his reign the city reached its greatest height. ...
/p/pergamos.htm - 12k

Philadelphia (2 Occurrences)
... interior. Its name was given to it in honor of Attalus II, because of his
loyalty to his elder brother, Eumenes II, king of Lydia. ...
/p/philadelphia.htm - 10k

Pergamum (2 Occurrences)
...Eumenes II (197-159 BC) was the most illustrious king of the dynasty, and
during his reign the city reached its greatest height. ...
/p/pergamum.htm - 12k

Athens (5 Occurrences)
... Attalus I of Perg amum endowed the Academy, Eumenes added a splendid Stoa to theater
and Antiochus Epiphanes began the Olympeium (15 columns of which are still ...
/a/athens.htm - 15k

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