Pyrrhus, a name not directly mentioned in the canonical texts of the Bible, is often associated with historical and cultural contexts that intersect with biblical narratives. The name Pyrrhus is most famously linked to Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek king and general who lived from 319/318 to 272 BC. His military campaigns and the concept of a "Pyrrhic victory" have been subjects of interest in understanding the broader historical backdrop of the Hellenistic period, which overlaps with the intertestamental period of Jewish history.

Historical Context

Pyrrhus of Epirus was a prominent figure in the Hellenistic world, known for his conflicts with Rome and his attempts to expand his kingdom. His most notable military engagements were against the Roman Republic during the Pyrrhic War (280–275 BC). Despite achieving victories in battles such as Heraclea and Asculum, his heavy losses led to the term "Pyrrhic victory," describing a win that comes at such a great cost that it is tantamount to defeat.

Relevance to Biblical Studies

While Pyrrhus himself is not mentioned in the Bible, understanding his era provides insight into the geopolitical landscape during the intertestamental period. This was a time when Jewish society was under the influence of Hellenistic culture following the conquests of Alexander the Great. The spread of Hellenism had significant implications for Jewish life, religion, and politics, setting the stage for the Maccabean Revolt and the eventual rise of the Hasmonean dynasty.

The cultural and political tensions of this period are reflected in the deuterocanonical books, such as 1 and 2 Maccabees, which, while not part of the Protestant canon, offer valuable historical context. These texts describe the struggle of the Jewish people to maintain their religious identity against the encroaching influence of Hellenistic rulers, a struggle that would have been contemporaneous with the broader Hellenistic conflicts involving figures like Pyrrhus.

Biblical Themes and Lessons

The account of Pyrrhus and the concept of a Pyrrhic victory can serve as a metaphorical lesson within a biblical framework. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of spiritual victories over worldly successes. In Matthew 16:26 , Jesus poses the rhetorical question, "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" This teaching underscores the futility of victories that come at the expense of one's spiritual well-being, paralleling the costly triumphs of Pyrrhus.

Additionally, the historical backdrop of Pyrrhus' time highlights the enduring theme of God's sovereignty over the nations. In Daniel 2:21 , it is written, "He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them." This verse reminds believers that earthly powers and conflicts, such as those involving Pyrrhus, are ultimately under divine control.

Conclusion

While Pyrrhus is not a biblical figure, his historical context enriches the understanding of the world in which biblical events unfolded. His legacy, particularly the notion of a Pyrrhic victory, offers a poignant reminder of the biblical principle that true victory is found in faithfulness to God rather than in worldly conquests.Pyrrhus

the father of Sopater of Berea. (Acts 20:4) in Revised Version. (A.D. 55.)

PYRRHUS

pir'-us (Purros, "fiery-red"): The name is inserted in the text of the Revised Version (British and American) in Acts 20:4 as that of the father of SOPATER (which see).

4450b. Purros -- Pyrrhus, the father of one of Paul's companions
... 4450a, 4450b. Purros. 4451 . Pyrrhus, the father of one of Paul's
companions. Transliteration: Purros Short Definition: Pyrrhus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4450b.htm - 5k

Pythagoras Taught, Accordingly, that He had Himself Been ...
... Pythagoras taught, accordingly, that he had himself been originally Euphorbus, and
then Callides, thirdly Hermotimus, fourthly Pyrrhus, and lastly Pythagoras ...
/.../40 pythagoras taught accordingly that.htm

Of the Disasters which Vexed the Roman Republic after the ...
... [153] Pyrrhus, king of Greece, and at that time of widespread renown, was
invited by the Tarentines to enlist himself against Rome. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 17 of the disasters which.htm

Canaan on Earth
... I have often admired the advice of old Cineas to Pyrrhus. Old story saith,
that when Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, was making preparation ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/canaan on earth.htm

Extracts from the Acts. Session I.
... faith, have been introduced by those who were at several times bishops of this,
your royal and God-preserved city, to wit: Sergius, Paul, Pyrrhus, and Peter ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/extracts from the acts session 16.htm

Pythagoras; his Cosmogony; Rules of his Sect; Discoverer of ...
... before the Trojan era he was ??thalides, [55] and during the Trojan epoch Euphorbus,
and subsequent to this Hermotimus of Samos, and after him Pyrrhus of Delos ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ii pythagoras his cosmogony rules.htm

Conclusion, the Romans Owe not their Imperial Power to their Gods ...
... not Minerva defend Athens from Xerxes? Or why did not Apollo rescue Delphi
out of the hand of Pyrrhus? They who lost their own cities ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xvii conclusion the romans.htm

Argument: the Weapon that C??cilius had Slightly Brandished ...
... Ennius invented the replies of the Pythian Apollo concerning Pyrrhus, although Apollo
had already ceased to make verses; and that cautious and ambiguous oracle ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxvi argument the weapon that.htm

Further Exposure of Transmigration, Its Inextricable Embarrassment ...
... Then, again, the Pyrrhus (whom he represented) spent his time in catching fish;
but Pythagoras, on the contrary, would never touch fish, abstaining from even ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxxi further exposure of transmigration.htm

The Pythagorean Doctrine of Transmigration Sketched and Censured.
... How will he convince me that, before he was Pythagoras, he had been ??thalides, and
Euphorbus, and the fisherman Pyrrhus, and Hermotimus, to make us believe ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxviii the pythagorean doctrine of.htm

Of the Nobility of Man's Soul that He is Insatiable
... multiply more? Do they not like Pyrrhus, the King of Epire, add house
to house and lands to lands; that they may get it all? It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/22 it is of the.htm

Pyrrhus (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PYRRHUS. pir'-us (Purros, "fiery ... which see).
Multi-Version Concordance Pyrrhus (1 Occurrence). Acts 20 ...
/p/pyrrhus.htm - 7k

Python (6 Occurrences)

/p/python.htm - 10k

Graecia
... At any rate, Graeci and Graecia owed their introduction practically to the Romans
after their contact with the Greeks in the war with Pyrrhus, and in ...
/g/graecia.htm - 21k

Rhegium (1 Occurrence)
... On the occasion of the invasion of Italy by Pyrrhus, the people of Rhegium had recourse
to an alliance with Rome (280 BC) and received 4,000 Campanian troops ...
/r/rhegium.htm - 8k

Pyre (1 Occurrence)

/p/pyre.htm - 6k

Berean (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater son of Pyrrhus, a Berean;
and of Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius and Timotheus ...
/b/berean.htm - 6k

Beroean (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 20:4 He was accompanied as far as the province of Asia by Sopater the Beroean,
the son of Pyrrhus; by the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; by ...
/b/beroean.htm - 6k

Asians (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 20:4 He was accompanied as far as the province of Asia by Sopater the Beroean,
the son of Pyrrhus; by the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; by ...
/a/asians.htm - 6k

Sopater (1 Occurrence)
... SOPATER. so'-pa-ter, sop'-a-ter (Sopatros): the Revised Version (British and
American) the son of Pyrrhus; the King James Version omits. ...
/s/sopater.htm - 7k

Province (66 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:4 He was accompanied as far as the province of Asia by Sopater the Beroean,
the son of Pyrrhus; by the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; by ...
/p/province.htm - 38k

Who were the Bereans in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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