Pelias
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Pelias is not a figure directly mentioned in the Bible; however, he is a notable character in Greek mythology, which often intersects with biblical studies in the context of understanding the cultural and historical backdrop of the ancient world. Pelias was a king of Iolcus in Thessaly, known for his role in the myth of Jason and the Argonauts. He was the son of Tyro and Poseidon, making him a demigod in Greek lore.

In the mythological narrative, Pelias is best known for his usurpation of the throne of Iolcus, which rightfully belonged to his half-brother Aeson. To secure his rule, Pelias imprisoned Aeson and sought to eliminate any threats to his power. This led to the famous quest for the Golden Fleece, as Pelias sent Jason, Aeson's son, on what he believed to be an impossible mission, hoping to rid himself of a potential rival.

While Pelias himself is not a biblical figure, his account provides insight into the cultural milieu of the ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman world, which influenced the context in which the Bible was written and understood. The themes of usurpation, divine intervention, and the quest for legitimacy resonate with various biblical narratives, such as the accounts of King Saul and David, where divine providence and human ambition intersect.

In biblical studies, understanding figures like Pelias can enrich one's comprehension of the ancient world's mythology and its impact on the societies surrounding the Israelites. The Bible often addresses the tension between following God's will and the human desire for power, a theme mirrored in the account of Pelias and Jason.

While the Berean Standard Bible does not contain references to Pelias, the broader biblical narrative often engages with similar themes of leadership, legitimacy, and divine justice. For instance, in 1 Samuel 16:1, the Lord instructs Samuel to anoint David as king, highlighting God's sovereignty in appointing leaders: "The LORD said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen one of his sons to be king.'" This passage underscores the biblical principle that true authority comes from God, contrasting with Pelias's self-serving quest for power.

In summary, while Pelias is not a biblical character, his account from Greek mythology provides a valuable lens through which to explore themes of power, legitimacy, and divine authority, which are prevalent throughout the biblical text.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PELIAS

pe-li'-as: the King James Version equals the Revised Version (British and American) "Pedias."

Library

Of ??sculapius, Apollo, Mars, Castor and Pollux, and of Mercurius ...
... Footnotes: [1461] Cicero, De Nat. Deor., iii. 22. [1462] When Pelias had promised
his daughter Alcestis to Admetus, on condition of his coming to her in a ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap viii of aesculapius apollo mars.htm

Thesaurus
Pelias
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PELIAS. pe-li'-as: the King James Version
equals the Revised Version (British and American) "Pedias.". ...
/p/pelias.htm - 6k

Pel'ethites (7 Occurrences)
Pel'ethites. Pelethites, Pel'ethites. Pelias . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). Pelethites, Pel'ethites. Pelias . Reference Bible.
/p/pel'ethites.htm - 8k

Pelican (5 Occurrences)

/p/pelican.htm - 11k

Pedias
... ped'-i-as, pe-di'-as (Pedias; Codex Alexandrinus Paideias; the King James Version
by mistake Pelias): One of those who had taken "strange wives" (1 Esdras 9:34 ...
/p/pedias.htm - 6k

Adder (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A small venomous serpent of the genus Vipera. The common European adder
is the Vipera (Pelias) berus. The puff adders of Africa are species of Clotho. ...
/a/adder.htm - 11k

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Pelias

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Pelethites: Absalom's Escort
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