Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Nicanor is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts, and is also associated with historical events during the intertestamental period. His name, of Greek origin, means "conqueror" or "victorious."Nicanor in the New Testament In the New Testament, Nicanor is one of the seven men chosen by the early church to serve as deacons. This selection is recorded in Acts 6:1-6, where the apostles sought to address a complaint from the Hellenistic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. To ensure fair treatment and to allow the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word, seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, were appointed. Nicanor is listed among these seven, alongside Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows: "They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them" (Acts 6:6). This act of laying on of hands signifies the church's recognition and commissioning of these men for their service. Nicanor in the Intertestamental Period Nicanor is also a name associated with a prominent figure during the Maccabean Revolt, a period of Jewish history that occurred between the Old and New Testaments. This Nicanor was a general under the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes and later under Demetrius I. He is most noted for his role in the conflict against the Jewish forces led by Judas Maccabeus. According to the historical accounts found in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, Nicanor was sent to suppress the Jewish rebellion. In 1 Maccabees 7 and 2 Maccabees 14-15, Nicanor's interactions with the Jews are detailed, including his initial attempts at diplomacy and subsequent military engagements. His campaign culminated in the Battle of Adasa, where he was defeated and killed by the forces of Judas Maccabeus. This victory is celebrated in Jewish tradition as the Day of Nicanor. Theological and Historical Significance Nicanor's role as one of the first deacons highlights the early church's commitment to addressing practical needs within the community while maintaining a focus on spiritual leadership. His inclusion in the list of deacons underscores the diversity and unity of the early Christian community, as the church sought to bridge cultural and linguistic divides. The historical Nicanor of the Maccabean period represents the broader struggle of the Jewish people to maintain their religious and cultural identity against Hellenistic influences and oppression. His defeat is seen as a testament to divine intervention and the resilience of the Jewish faith. In both contexts, the name Nicanor is associated with significant events that reflect the challenges and triumphs of faith communities in maintaining their beliefs and practices amidst external pressures. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary NicanorSmith's Bible Dictionary Nicanor(conqueror).
ATS Bible Dictionary NicanorOne of the first seven deacons, who were chosen and appointed at Jerusalem soon after the Pentecostal descent of the Holy Ghost, Acts 6:1-6. Easton's Bible Dictionary Conqueror, one of the seven deacons appointed in the apostolic Church (Acts 6:1-6). Nothing further is known of him. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia NICANOR (1)ni-ka'-nor, ni'-ka-nor (Nikanor): The son of Patroclus and one of the king's "chief friends" (2 Maccabees 8:9), a Syrian general under Antiochus Epiphanes and Demetrius Soter. After the defeat of Seron by Judas, Epiphanes entrusted his chancellor Lysias with the reduction of Judea (1 Maccabees 3:34;). Nicanor was one of the three generals commissioned by Lysias-the others being Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes, and Gorgias (1 Maccabees 3:38). The campaign began in 166 B.C.; the Syrians were defeated at Emmaus (1 Maccabees 3:57;), while Gorgias at a later stage gained a victory at Jamnia over a body of Jews who disobeyed Judas (1 Maccabees 5:58). The account given in 2 Maccabees differs considerably, both in omissions and in additions (2 Maccabees 8:9;). There Nicanor, not Gorgias, is the chief in command. The battle of Emmaus is not mentioned, but "the thrice-accursed Nicanor," having in overweening pride invited a thousand slavedealers to accompany him to buy the Jewish captives, was humiliated, and his host was destroyed, he himself escaping "like a fugitive slave" to Antioch (2 Maccabees 8:34). After the death of Epiphanes, Eupator and Lysias (the last two at the hands of Demetrius (1 Maccabees 7:2)), Nicanor appears again under King Demetrius in the struggle between Alcimus and Judas. Alcimus, having been seated in the priesthood by Demetrius' officer Bacchides, could not hold it against Judas and the patriots. He appealed again to Demetrius, who this time selected Nicanor, now governor of Cyprus (2 Maccabees 12:2) and known for his deadly hatred of the Jews, to settle the dispute and slay Judas (2 Maccabees 14:12;; 1 Maccabees 7:26;). Nicanor was appointed governor of Judea on this occasion. Again 1 and 2 Maccabees differ. According to 1 Maccabees, Nicanor sought in vain to seize Judas by treachery. Then followed the battle of Capharsalama ("village of peace"), in which the Syrians were defeated, though Josephus (Ant., XII, x, 5) says Judas was defeated. Nicanor retired to Jerusalem, insulted the priests and threatened the destruction of the temple unless they delivered up Judas. He then retired to Beth-horon to find Judas posted opposite him at Adasa (1 Maccabees 7:39;) 3 1/2 miles distant. Here on the 13th of the 12th month Adar (March), 161 B.C., the Syrians sustained a crushing defeat, Nicanor himself being the first to fall. The Jews cut off his head and proud right hand and hanged them up beside Jerusalem. For a little while Adasa gave the land of Judah rest. The people ordained to keep this "day of great gladness" year by year-the 13th of Adar, "the day before the day of Mordecai" (Feast of Purim). 2 Maccabees mentions that Simon, Judas' brother, was worsted in a first engagement (14:17), omits the battle of Capharsalama, and represents Nicanor, struck with the manliness of the Jews, as entering into friendly relations with Judas, urging him to marry and lead a quiet life, forgetful of the king's command until Alcimus accused him to Demetrius. The latter peremptorily ordered Nicanor to bring Judas in all haste as prisoner to Antioch (14:27). The scene of the final conflict (Adasa) is given only as "in the region of Samaria" (15:1). According to this account, it was Judas who ordered the mutilation of Nicanor and in a more gruesome fashion (15:30;). It is possible that the Nicanor, the Cypriarch or governor of Cyprus of 2 Maccabees 12:2, is a different person from Nicanor, the son of Patroclus-a view not accepted in the above account. NICANOR (2) (Nikanor): One of "the seven" chosen to superintend "the daily ministration" of the poor of the Christian community at Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). The name is Greek.eral under Antiochus Epiphanes and Demetrius Soter. After the defeat of Seron by Judas, Epiphanes entrusted his chancellor Lysias with the reduction of Judea (1 Maccabees 3:34;). Nicanor was one of the three generals commissioned by Lysias-the others being Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes, and Gorgias (1 Maccabees 3:38). The campaign began in 166 B.C.; the Syrians were defeated at Emmaus (1 Maccabees 3:57;), while Gorgias at a later stage gained a victory at Jamnia over a body of Jews who disobeyed Judas (1 Maccabees 5:58). The account given in 2 Maccabees differs considerably, both in omissions and in additions (2 Maccabees 8:9;). There Nicanor, not Gorgias, is the chief in command. The battle of Emmaus is not mentioned, but "the thrice-accursed Nicanor," having in overweening pride invited a thousand slavedealers to accompany him to buy the Jewish captives, was humiliated, and his host was destroyed, he himself escaping "like a fugitive slave" to Antioch (2 Maccabees 8:34). After the death of Epiphanes, Eupator and Lysias (the last two at the hands of Demetrius (1 Maccabees 7:2)), Nicanor appears again under King Demetrius in the struggle between Alcimus and Judas. Alcimus, having been seated in the priesthood by Demetrius' officer Bacchides, could not hold it against Judas and the patriots. He appealed again to Demetrius, who this time selected Nicanor, now governor of Cyprus (2 Maccabees 12:2) and known for his deadly hatred of the Jews, to settle the dispute and slay Judas (2 Maccabees 14:12;; 1 Maccabees 7:26;). Nicanor was appointed governor of Judea on this occasion. Again 1 and 2 Maccabees differ. According to 1 Maccabees, Nicanor sought in vain to seize Judas by treachery. Then followed the battle of Capharsalama ("village of peace"), in which the Syrians were defeated, though Josephus (Ant., XII, x, 5) says Judas was defeated. Nicanor retired to Jerusalem, insulted the priests and threatened the destruction of the temple unless they delivered up Judas. He then retired to Beth-horon to find Judas posted opposite him at Adasa (1 Maccabees 7:39;) 3 1/2 miles distant. Here on the 13th of the 12th month Adar (March), 161 B.C., the Syrians sustained a crushing defeat, Nicanor himself being the first to fall. The Jews cut off his head and proud right hand and hanged them up beside Jerusalem. For a little while Adasa gave the land of Judah rest. The people ordained to keep this "day of great gladness" year by year-the 13th of Adar, "the day before the day of Mordecai" (Feast of Purim). 2 Maccabees mentions that Simon, Judas' brother, was worsted in a first engagement (14:17), omits the battle of Capharsalama, and represents Nicanor, struck with the manliness of the Jews, as entering into friendly relations with Judas, urging him to marry and lead a quiet life, forgetful of the king's command until Alcimus accused him to Demetrius. The latter peremptorily ordered Nicanor to bring Judas in all haste as prisoner to Antioch (14:27). The scene of the final conflict (Adasa) is given only as "in the region of Samaria" (15:1). According to this account, it was Judas who ordered the mutilation of Nicanor and in a more gruesome fashion (15:30;). It is possible that the Nicanor, the Cypriarch or governor of Cyprus of 2 Maccabees 12:2, is a different person from Nicanor, the son of Patroclus-a view not accepted in the above account. Greek 3527. Nikanor -- Nicanor, a Christian ... Nicanor, a Christian. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Nikanor Phonetic Spelling: (nik-an'-ore) Short Definition: Nicanor Definition: Nicanor, a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3527.htm - 6k Library The Gate of Nicanor, or the East Gate of the Court of Israel. How Bacchides, the General of Demetrius's Army, Made an Expedition ... Concerning the Tyrants Simon and John. How Also as Titus was Going ... Self-Inspection. The Faithful Servant The House of Offense How Josephus was Discovered by a Woman, and was Willing to Deliver ... Next Day among his Letters were Two of Value in the History of ... Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth Book 12 Footnotes Thesaurus Nicanor (1 Occurrence)...NICANOR (1). ...Nicanor was one of the three generals commissioned by Lysias-the others being Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes, and Gorgias (1 Maccabees 3:38). ... /n/nicanor.htm - 14k Demetrius (3 Occurrences) Posidonius Beautiful (152 Occurrences) Maccabaeus Fasts (3 Occurrences) Feasts (45 Occurrences) Nica'nor (1 Occurrence) Lysias (3 Occurrences) Razis Resources What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees? | GotQuestions.org What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Nicanor (1 Occurrence)Acts 6:5 Subtopics Nicanor: A Servant (Greek: Diakonos) of the Congregation at Jerusalem Related Terms |
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