Lysimachus was one of the notable figures during the Hellenistic period, particularly known for his role as one of the Diadochi, the successors of Alexander the Great. Although Lysimachus is not directly mentioned in the canonical books of the Bible, his influence and actions had significant implications for the regions that are frequently referenced in biblical texts.

Historical Context

Lysimachus was born around 360 BC and was a Macedonian officer and trusted companion of Alexander the Great. Following Alexander's death in 323 BC, his vast empire was divided among his generals, known as the Diadochi. Lysimachus received control over Thrace and parts of Asia Minor. His rule extended over a region that included territories significant to biblical history, such as parts of modern-day Turkey.

Role in Hellenistic Politics

Lysimachus played a crucial role in the power struggles that ensued after Alexander's death. He was involved in various conflicts with other Diadochi, including Seleucus I Nicator, Ptolemy I Soter, and Antigonus I Monophthalmus. His reign was marked by both military campaigns and efforts to consolidate power through strategic marriages and alliances.

Influence on Biblical Lands

While Lysimachus himself is not a biblical figure, his actions and the Hellenistic influence he represented had a lasting impact on the regions mentioned in the Bible. The spread of Hellenistic culture, language, and political structures during his time laid the groundwork for the environment in which the New Testament was later written. The Greek language, which became prevalent due to the Hellenistic influence, was the original language of the New Testament texts.

Cultural and Religious Impact

The Hellenistic period, characterized by the spread of Greek culture and ideas, influenced the Jewish population in the regions under Lysimachus's control. This period saw the rise of Hellenistic Judaism, which sought to harmonize Jewish religious traditions with Greek culture. The tension between Hellenistic influences and traditional Jewish practices is a theme that appears in various intertestamental writings and is reflected in the New Testament.

Legacy

Lysimachus's legacy is intertwined with the broader narrative of the Hellenistic period, which set the stage for the Roman Empire's rise and the subsequent spread of Christianity. His reign, along with those of his contemporaries, contributed to the cultural and political landscape that shaped the world of the New Testament.

Biblical References

While Lysimachus is not mentioned in the Bible, the geopolitical shifts during his time are indirectly referenced in prophetic and historical contexts. The Book of Daniel, for example, contains prophecies that many scholars interpret as referring to the Hellenistic kingdoms and their rulers (Daniel 8:21-22). These passages are often seen as foretelling the division of Alexander's empire and the rise of the Diadochi, including Lysimachus.

In summary, Lysimachus's role as a Hellenistic ruler had a profound impact on the regions that are central to biblical history, influencing the cultural and political milieu of the time. His legacy is a testament to the complex interplay between Greek and Jewish cultures during a pivotal era in the ancient world.Lysimachus

scattering the battle

Lysimachus

"a son of Ptolemaeus of Jerusalem," the Greek translator of the book of Esther. Comp. (Esther 9:20)

LYSIMACHUS

li-sim'-a-kus (Lusimachos):

(1) The son of Ptolemy, of Jerusalem, is named (Additions to Esther 11:1) as the interpreter (translator of the Rest of Esther into Greek).

See ESTHER, THE REST OF.

(2) Brother of Menelaus, a Greek name said by Josephus (Ant., XII, v, 1) to have been assumed by Onias, the high priest in the hellenizing days of Antiochus Epiphanes, as the Jewish name Jesus was changed to Jason. When Menelaus was summoned to Antioch (2 Maccabees 4:29) on a charge of malversation, he left Lysimachus as his deputy in the priesthood at Jerusalem. Lysimachus robbed the temple and caused an insurrection in which he met his death beside the treasury (2 Maccabees 4:42). The name of Lysimachus does not appear in the narrative of these events given by Josephus

J. Hutchison

The Second Trumpet.
... and above those four principal kingdoms of Macedonia, Asia, Syria, and Egypt, a
fifth was added, namely, that of Thrace, by its founder Lysimachus, yet the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the second trumpet.htm

Apion Book 1 Footnotes
... of the very ancient state of the Jewish nation, in his 20 books of Antiquities;
and particularly against Agatharelddes, Manetho, Cheremon, and Lysimachus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/apion book 1 footnotes.htm

But Now, what it is Necessary for Me to Say on the Subject of The. ...
... [1628] For Lysimachus and Alexander held the empire of the whole world, and were
able to subdue all foreign nations, and the whole race of men; so that ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/21 but now what it.htm

For, First of All, under King Seleucus, the Son of Antiochus the ...
... But not long after, as he had not furnished the promised amount of money, he was
driven from his position, and Lysimachus substituted in his stead. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xviii for first of.htm

Judah, on the Defeat of the Enemy, Returned to Jerusalem...
... whom the name of Eupator was given. Footnotes: [347] Some add the words,
"or of Lysimachus," but this appears to have been a gloss. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxii judah on the.htm

How Ptolemy the Son of Lagus Took Jerusalem and Judea By
... And as his government fell among many, Antigonus obtained Asia, Seleucus Babylon;
and of the other nations which were there, Lysimachus governed the Hellespont ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how ptolemy the.htm

Herod Ejects Antigonus, the Son of Aristobulus Out of Judea, and ...
... Lysimachus, the son of Pausanias, and Josephus, the son of Menneus, and Alexander,
the son of Theodorus, your ambassadors, met me at Ephesus, and have renewed ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 herod ejects antigonus.htm

How Claudius Restored to Agrippa his Grandfathers Kingdoms and ...
... away from Antiochus that kingdom which he was possessed of, but gave him a certain
part of Cilicia and Commagena: he also set Alexander Lysimachus, the alabarch ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how claudius restored.htm

Of the Burial of the Dead: that the Denial of it to Christians ...
... Disp. i. 43, the answer of Theodorus, the Cyrenian philosopher, to Lysimachus, who
threatened him with the cross: "Threaten that to your courtiers; it is of no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 12 of the burial of.htm

How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra ...
... and promised them that he would come to their assistance; but it happened that before
he came Apollodotus was slain; for his brother Lysimachus envying him for ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how alexander upon.htm

Lysimachus
...LYSIMACHUS. ...Lysimachus robbed the temple and caused an insurrection in which
he met his death beside the treasury (2 Maccabees 4:42). ...
/l/lysimachus.htm - 7k

Menelaus
... before the king. Lysimachus, the brother of Menelaus, was left at Jerusalem
in the meantime as deputy high priest. The king was ...
/m/menelaus.htm - 9k

Ephesus (20 Occurrences)
... Finally, Alexander the Great took it; and at his death it fell to Lysimachus,
who gave it the name of Arsinoe, from his second wife. ...
/e/ephesus.htm - 24k

Lystra (6 Occurrences)

/l/lystra.htm - 14k

Judaeus
... influence in the contemporary Roman empire, and the prominence of Philo's family
is attested by the fact that his brother, Alexander Lysimachus, was Alabarch ...
/j/judaeus.htm - 29k

Lys'ias (2 Occurrences)
Lys'ias. Lysias, Lys'ias. Lysimachus . Multi-Version Concordance Lys'ias (2
Occurrences). ... Lysias, Lys'ias. Lysimachus . Reference Bible.
/l/lys'ias.htm - 6k

Troas (6 Occurrences)
... was given it by its founder Antigonus, but after 300 BC it was generally known to
the classical writers as Alexander Troas, a name given to it by Lysimachus. ...
/t/troas.htm - 11k

Temples (17 Occurrences)
... 42 the King James Version the epithet "church-robber" (the Revised Version (British
and American) "author of the sacrilege") is applied to LYSIMACHUS (which see ...
/t/temples.htm - 13k

Robbers (21 Occurrences)
... 42 the King James Version the epithet "church-robber" (the Revised Version (British
and American) "author of the sacrilege") is applied to LYSIMACHUS (which see ...
/r/robbers.htm - 14k

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)
... struck coins of their own. Lysimachus, who possessed the town, deposited
there 9,000 talents of gold. Upon his death, Philetaerus ...
/p/pergamos.htm - 12k

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