Antiochus

1 definition found

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Antiochus
     the name of several Syrian kings from B.C. 280 to B.C. 65. The
     most notable of these were, (1.) Antiochus the Great, who
     ascended the throne B.C. 223. He is regarded as the "king of the
     north" referred to in Dan. 11:13-19. He was succeeded (B.C. 187)
     by his son, Seleucus Philopater, spoken of by Daniel (11:20) as


     "a raiser of taxes", in the Revised Version, "one that shall
     cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom."
     
       (2.) Antiochus IV., surnamed "Epiphanes" i.e., the
     Illustrious, succeeded his brother Seleucus (B.C. 175). His
     career and character are prophetically described by Daniel
     (11:21-32). He was a "vile person." In a spirit of revenge he
     organized an expedition against Jerusalem, which he destroyed,
     putting vast multitudes of its inhabitants to death in the most
     cruel manner. From this time the Jews began the great war of
     independence under their heroic Maccabean leaders with marked
     success, defeating the armies of Antiochus that were sent
     against them. Enraged at this, Antiochus marched against them in
     person, threatening utterly to exterminate the nation; but on
     the way he was suddenly arrested by the hand of death (B.C.
     164).