Bible Dictionary (3)

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Apollos

Apollos was a Jew, originally from Alexandria, mentioned in the New Testament as an educated, “eloquent” (“powerful in speech”) man, well-versed in the Scriptures. He preached about Jesus, although initially he only knew about the baptism of John the Baptist. In Ephesus he became better acquainted with the Christian faith thanks to the couple Aquila and Priscilla. Later he became a valued member of the Corinthian church and a collaborator of the apostle Paul. The apostle mentions him with respect in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, emphasizing that although one “plants” and another “waters,” the growth comes from God.

Etymology: The name “Apollos” (Greek: Ἀπολλώς) is probably a shortened form of “Apollonius” or “Apollodorus” and is related to the Greek god Apollo.

Found in: Acts 18:24–19:1; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:4–6, 22; 4:6; 16:12; Titus 3:13.

Apostle

An apostle (Greek: ἀπόστολος – “messenger”, “sent”) means a messenger, a herald of God’s will. There is no direct Hebrew term, but the idea of ​​“sent by God” is expressed by the verb שָׁלַח (shalakh) – “to send”.

In the Holy Scriptures, the word apostle is used both in a broad sense for any person sent by God (including Jesus Christ Himself – Heb. 3:1; Mal. 3:1), and in a narrow sense – for the 12 disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom He personally chooses and sends to preach the Gospel (Matt. 10:2). They were later joined by Matthias, chosen by lot after the fall of Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:15–26). The instructions that Jesus gave to the apostles are recorded in Matt. 10:5–42.

The main features of the apostolic ministry are as follows: a) The apostles were eyewitnesses and hearers of the works and words of Jesus Christ (John 15:27; Acts 1:22; 1 John 1:3); b) Each was personally called by the Lord (Luke 6:13; Gal. 1:1), including Matthias (Acts 1:23–26); c) They were inspired by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13); d) They had the power to perform miracles and to impart spiritual gifts (Mark 16:20; Acts 2:43; Heb. 2:4).

The apostles in the narrow sense of the 12: are Simon Peter (Cephas), his brother Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, his brother John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (Levi), James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas the son of James (Thaddeus), Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias)

Others called apostles: Apostle Paul, “an apostle by calling” (Gal. 1:1), the seventy apostles – disciples sent by the Lord (according to Luke 10:1), who, although not possessing the fullness of the authority of the 12, were called “apostles” in the early Church.

A partial list of the 70 apostles (according to tradition): Andronicus, Amplias, Aquila, Barnabas, Epaphroditus, Evodius, Hermas, Hermes, Linus, Lucius, Luke the Evangelist, Mark, Narcissus, Onesiphorus, Paul, Patros, Stachys, Stephen, Tychicus, Titus, Timothy, Philemon, etc.

In the broad sense, other men and women with a special missionary or enlightening ministry are also called “apostles” in Scripture and in the tradition of the Church. Such are: the Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, St. Tsar Constantine and Tsarina Helena, St. Nina, enlightener of Georgia, St. Cyril and Methodius, St. Prince Vladimir, baptizer of Rus, etc.

Aramaic language

Aramaic language (Hebrew אֲרָמִית, Ar. ארמית; Greek Συριστί or Χαλδαϊστί). Aramaic is a Semitic language, related to Hebrew and Arabic, that originated among the Aramaic tribes in Northern Mesopotamia as early as the 2nd millennium BC. Over time, it became the international language of communication in the Middle East, from Assyria and Babylon to Persia and Palestine. Due to its widespread distribution, Aramaic occupies an important place in biblical history and theology, both in the Old and New Testaments.

In the Old Testament: Some parts of the Bible were written in Aramaic, not in Hebrew: Ezra 4:8–6:18; 7:12–26; Daniel 2:4–7:28; Jeremiah 10:11. In these texts, Aramaic was used as the official language of the empire, for example in letters, orders, and court protocols.

In the New Testament: The time of Jesus Christ was marked by bilingualism: Greek was the official and cultural language, but Aramaic was the spoken language of ordinary Jews. Christ spoke Aramaic, and some of His words have been preserved in the original: “Talitha cumi” (“Little girl, arise!”) – Mark 5:41; “Ephphatha” (“Be opened!”) – Mark 7:34; “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” (“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”) – Mark 15:34; “Abba” (“Father”) – Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15. Names such as Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus), Barabbas (son of the father), and Cephas (Aramaic for “rock” – Peter) are also of Aramaic origin.

Ararat

Ararat is the region where Noah’s Ark came to rest after the Flood. Traditionally associated with the snowy mountain of Ararat in modern-day Turkey. Symbolizes the new beginning of humanity.

Found in: Gen. 8:4; 2 Kings 19:37; Tob. 1:21; Isaiah 37:38.

Areopagus

Areopagus (Greek: Ἄρειος Πάγος – “hill of Ares”) is a hill in Athens, located not far from the Acropolis, which in ancient times was the meeting place of the highest judicial and advisory body of the city. Its name comes from Ares – the Greek god of war, and “pagos” means “rock”, i.e. “Rock of Ares”. Areopagus is both a geographical location and an institution in ancient Greek culture. During the Roman era, the council still existed, but its role was limited to religious and cultural matters.

It is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, where it is described how the apostle Paul preached at this place in Athens. “Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious….” (Acts 17:22–34) This is the only speech of the apostle Paul delivered to a pagan philosophical audience recorded in the New Testament. Paul’s sermon at the Areopagus (Acts 17) is an example of Christian apologetics – a dialogue between Christianity and Greek philosophy.

Aretas

Aretas (Greek: Ἀρέτας, Latin: Aretas, Aramaic: Ḥārīṯat) is the name of several kings of the Nabataeans, an Arab people with a kingdom with its capital at Petra, in present-day Jordan. The most famous in a biblical context is Aretas IV Philopatris (“loving his people”), who reigned from 9 BC to 40 AD. He is connected to the New Testament through a brief but significant reference in the epistles of the apostle Paul: “In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of Damascus under guard to seize me; and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands” (2 Cor. 11:32–33; cf. Acts 9:23–25)

Aretas IV ruled the Nabataean kingdom, which encompassed parts of present-day Jordan, Syria, and northern Arabia. During his reign, the state achieved significant political and economic development.

Aretas IV was the most powerful ruler of the Nabataean kingdom. He fortified Petra and developed trade routes to Arabia and Syria. His daughter was married to Herod Antipas, but he later banished her to marry Herodias. This became a source of conflict that led to a war between Aretas and Herod, mentioned by Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, 18.5.1–2). Aretas defeated Herod’s forces, but escaped more serious consequences due to the death of Emperor Tiberius.

Arimathea

Arimathea (Greek: Ἀριμαθαία, Hebrew: רָמָה / רָמַתַיִם – Rama / Ramatáim) is a city in Judea, best known in the New Testament as the birthplace of Joseph of Arimathea – a member of the Sanhedrin and a secret follower of Jesus Christ, who after the Crucifixion begged the body of the Lord from Pilate and laid it in a new tomb cut out of the rock.

“And there came a man named Joseph, a counsellor, a good and righteous man, of the city of Arimathea, a city of the Jews…” (Luke 23:50–51; cf. Matt. 27:57; Mark 15:43; John 19:38)

The location of Arimathea is not established with absolute certainty, but is traditionally identified with: Ramah (Heb. רָמָה) – a city in the hill country of Ephraim, near Gibeah, north of Jerusalem. Or with Ramatháim Zophim, the birthplace of the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1:1).

Aristarchus

Aristarchus. (Gr. Ἀρίσταρχος) Meaning of the name: “best leader”, “excellent chief” (from Gr. áristos – best, archē – leadership).

Aristarchus was a Christian from the Macedonian city of Thessalonica (Philippi), a companion and collaborator of the apostle Paul. He is mentioned several times in the book of Acts (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2), as well as in the epistles of the apostle Paul (Col. 4:10; Phil. 1:24). He was one of Paul’s companions on his third missionary journey and accompanied him all the way to Rome, where he became his fellow prisoner. Aristarchus nearly died during the revolt of the craftsmen in Ephesus, instigated by Demetrius the silversmith, who was concerned about the decline of pagan cults (Acts 19:29). Later he went with Paul to Rome as his companion and helper (Acts 27:2), and the apostle calls him a “fellow worker” and “fellow prisoner” in suffering (Col. 4:10).

According to ancient church tradition, Aristarchus was one of the Seventy Apostles, appointed bishop of Apamea in Syria, where he served piously. He was subsequently beheaded in Rome during the persecutions.

His memory is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on January 4 (Council of the 70 Apostles) and on April 15.

He is found in: Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2 on the journey to Rome; Col. 4:10; Phil. 1:24.

Aristobulus

Aristobulus (Greek: Ἀριστόβουλος – “excellent counselor”) is a name that occurs both in the history of the Hellenistic and Jewish worlds, and in the New Testament. In the Candlemas. Scripture, the most famous is Aristobulus, mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Romans: “Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus” (Rom. 16:10). According to church tradition, this Aristobulus was one of the 70 apostles sent by Christ, and later became a preacher of the Gospel in Britain. Greek church sources and menologies also honor him as a missionary and martyr. The Orthodox Church commemorates his memory on January 4 (Council of the 70 Apostles) and on March 16.

Outside the biblical canon, the name Aristobulus is also borne by several significant figures from the era of the Second Temple and the Hellenistic world. Aristobulus, a philosopher and Jewish interpreter mentioned in 2 Maccabees 1:10, lived in the 2nd century BC and was a tutor to the Egyptian king Ptolemy VI Philometor. Eusebius of Caesarea reports that he wrote explanatory interpretations of the Mosaic Law using the terms of Greek philosophy. In Jewish history, several rulers bear the name Aristobulus, although they are not mentioned in the Bible. Aristobulus I, son of John Hyrcanus, was high priest and king of Judea (104–103 BC), who subdued Samaria. Aristobulus II, son of Alexander Jannaeus, ruled Judea from 67 to 63 BC, but was defeated by his brother Hyrcanus II with Roman aid and was taken prisoner to Rome, where he later died of poisoning. Aristobulus III, grandson of Hyrcanus II and brother of Mariamne, wife of Herod the Great, was appointed high priest but was drowned by Herod’s order in 35 BC.

Among these historical figures, only Aristobulus of Rom. 16:10 enters the New Testament canon, but the name is associated with important figures of the Hasmonean dynasty, which testifies to its widespread use and significance.

Armageddon

Armageddon (Hebrew: הַר מְגִדּוֹ – Har Megiddo, “the hill of Megiddo”; Greek: Ἁρμαγεδών – Armagedṓn)

Armageddon is a symbolic and prophetic name used in Rev. 16:16 as the site of the final and greatest battle between the forces of God and the forces of evil: “And he gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Armageddon.” This name comes from a real geographical site – Megiddo, an ancient Canaanite city located at the foot of Mount Carmel, in the strategic Jezreel Valley, a crossroads of military routes between Egypt and Mesopotamia.

In the Old Testament, Megiddo is mentioned as the site of many bloody battles. There is a battle between the Israelites and the Canaanite kings (Judg. 5:19), as well as the deadly battle in which the Judean king Josiah dies trying to stop the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:29–30). Because of these tragic events in Israel’s history, Megiddo becomes a symbol of judgment, destruction, and decisive war.

In Christian prophetic interpretation, Armageddon is not necessarily understood as a specific location, but as an image of the final battle between good and evil, the culmination of world history before the final victory of Christ. It is an eschatological symbol depicting the conflict between the kingdom of God and its hostile forces, before the Last Judgment.

Artemis.

Artemis. (Greek Ἄρτεμις – Artemis, “virtue”)

Artemis, also known by her Latin name Diana, is one of the main goddesses in the Greek and Roman pantheons. According to mythology, the daughter of Zeus (Jupiter) and Leto (Latona), and the twin sister of Apollo. She is represented as the goddess of hunting, virginity, wildlife, and the moon. She is often depicted with a bow and arrow, a crescent moon on her forehead, and a deer beside her, as a symbol of her power over nature and innocence. Her name translates to “whole”, “pure”, “untouchable”.

In the Hellenistic era, the cult of Artemis spread widely in the Middle East – in cities such as Ptolemais (Acre), Raphia, Damascus, Gerasa, etc., often as a syncretic form with local deities. Especially in Ephesus, the goddess was worshiped as Artemis of Ephesus – with her own, localized form of the cult. There she was perceived not simply as a virgin huntress, but as a mother-goddess and protector of fertility, with a multi-breasted image symbolizing abundance.

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—a magnificent structure that took 220 years to build. Pliny the Elder wrote that it was 425 feet long and 220 feet wide, with over 100 ornate columns. Destroyed by Herostratus in 356 BC, the temple was rebuilt in even greater splendor. It became a center of worship and a source of commercial profit, and silver shrines depicting the goddess were a popular commodity. Acts 19:24–40 describes the conflict between the apostle Paul and local craftsmen. Paul preached that “gods that are made with hands are no gods” (Acts 19:26), thus affecting the lucrative trade of the silversmith Demetrius and his associates. A mass uprising followed in the theater of Ephesus, accompanied by cries of “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (v. 28). Thanks to the intervention of the city governor, the rebellion was subdued.

The temple was destroyed several times – under Nero (1st century AD), and finally – by the Goths under Emperor Gallienus (260–268). Today, only ruins remain of it, but the cult of Artemis is an important historical context for understanding the early Christian clashes with pagan religion.

Found in: Acts 19:24–40.

Archangel

Archangel. (Greek ἀρχάγγελος, “supreme angel”, “chief of angels”; from arhē – “beginning, power” and angelos – “messenger”)

Archangels are higher beings of the heavenly hierarchy, standing at the head of the angelic ranks. In the Holy Scriptures, the term archangel is used in 1 Thess. 4:16 (“with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God…”) and in Jude 1:9, where Michael is called the archangel in a direct battle with Satan for the body of Moses. According to church tradition and biblical revelations, archangels occupy the eighth place in the nine-level angelic hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, Angels. Names of archangels in the Holy Scriptures and church tradition: Michael (“Who is like God?”) – defender of God’s people, leader of the heavenly host (Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7); ​​Gabriel (“Power of God”) – God’s messenger, who appeared to the prophet. Daniel, Zechariah, and the Virgin Mary (Dan. 8:16; Lk. 1:19, 26); Raphael (“God’s healing”) – a guide and healer in the Book of Tobit (Tobit 3:16; 12:15); Uriel (“Light/Fire of God”) – mentioned in 3 Esdras 4:1 as an interpreter of God’s judgments; Selaphiel (“Prayer to God”) – according to 3 Esdras 5:16.; Jeremiel (“Height of God”) – in 3 Esdras 4:36; Jehudiel (“Praise of God”) and Barachiel (“Blessing of God”) are not found in the Bible, but are transmitted through patristic and liturgical traditions.

Archangels have a special role as messengers of God’s will, defenders of righteousness, and spiritual guides of people. They are venerated in the Orthodox Church, with the most famous holiday being the Synod of Archangel Michael and the Other Disembodied Powers – on November 8 (November 21, according to the Orthodox calendar, New Style).

In apocalyptic and eschatological symbolism, archangels will also participate in the Second Coming of Christ – “with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God” (1 Thess. 4:16).

Assarion

Assarion. (Latin asarius, from as – “one whole”; Greek ἀσσάριον – assarion)

An assarion was an ancient Roman bronze coin of low denomination, which was equated with one “ace” – the base unit in the early Roman monetary system. In the New Testament, this word occurs twice, with the Greek form ἀσσάριον being used to express insignificant value, but also a spiritual lesson.

Occurs in: Matt. 10:29 and Luke 12:6.

These verses emphasize that although the assarion was a cheap and insignificant coin, God’s providence extends even to things that people consider insignificant.

Historical value and ratios: In the Roman Empire, 1 assarion (as) was equal to 1/16 of a denarius. After the monetary reforms (especially under Augustus), the real purchasing power of the asaria decreased, but it continued to be used in everyday transactions and trade.

The asaria had significance not only as a monetary unit, but also as a cultural and biblical symbol, emphasizing God’s care for each of His creatures, regardless of their material value in the world.

Asia

Asia (Greek: Ἀσία – Asía, Latin: Asia)

Asia in the biblical context is the name of a Roman province in the western part of Asia Minor, and not the entire continent of Asia, as understood in modern geography. In Acts 2:9; 6:9; 19:10, 26–27; 20:16, 18; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Cor. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:15, etc. “Asia” refers to proconsular Asia, a region that included Lydia, Caria, Ionia, Aeolia, Phrygia, and Mysia, with Ephesus as its capital and administrative center.

Initially, the name Asia referred only to a small area around Lydia, but over time its scope expanded. In the Roman era, after 129 BC, it officially became a province governed by a proconsul. Its territory along the Aegean coast was densely populated by Greek colonies and cities with an important commercial and cultural role.

In this area, the Apostle Paul carried out active missionary activity: he preached in Ephesus, from which the word went out throughout Asia (Acts 19:10), and maintained ties with believers in Colossae, Laodicea, Smyrna, etc. The seven churches in Revelation (Rev. 1:4, 11) – in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea – were located in this Roman province.

Asia was of great importance for early Christianity: it became the center of missionary work and church life outside Palestine. It was here that some of the first Christian communities were established, which played a key role in the spread of the Gospel in the pagan world.

In a broader historical and biblical context, “Asia” sometimes symbolically encompasses the entire Asia Minor – a peninsula that is now part of modern Turkey. This region is rich in biblical history, according to tradition, the Garden of Eden was located here, human existence began here, and decisive events in the history of salvation took place here.

Found in: Acts 2:9; Acts 19:10; Rev. 1:4.

Attalia

Attalia (Greek: Ἀττάλεια, modern Antalya, Turkey)

Attalia is an ancient city in southern Asia Minor, located on the Mediterranean coast, in the region of Pamphylia. It is mentioned in Acts 14:25–26, when the apostles Paul and Barnabas, after preaching in Perga, “went to Attalia”, from where they sailed to Antioch (in Syria) to tell the Church what God had done through them.

The city was founded around 150 BC by King Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamum and bears his name. At the time of the Apostle Paul, Attalia was an important seaport, connecting the interior of Asia Minor with the Eastern Mediterranean.

Today, Attalia is the modern city of Antalya in Turkey – a large city and tourist center that retains its historical connection with the apostolic era and early Christianity.

Achaia

Achaia. (Greek: Ἀχαΐα; Latin: Achaia). Achaia was a Roman province in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula, including the Peloponnese and neighboring regions, as well as some islands. Its name comes from the ancient Greek tribal name “Achaeans”, originally inhabiting the northern part of the Peloponnese.

After the conquest of Greece by Rome (146 BC), Achaia became a senatorial province, and in the New Testament it is used in this broader sense – as a generalized name for almost all of Southern Greece, in contrast to Macedonia, which covered the northern part of the peninsula.

The capital of Achaia was Corinth, where the Apostle Paul founded a strong Christian community. During his ministry, the proconsul of Achaia was Lucius Junius Gallio (Acts 18:12), brother of the philosopher Seneca. Paul preached in Achaia during his second missionary journey (c. 50–52 AD) and partly during his third. Achaia was an important church center of early Christianity and one of the most significant areas for the activity of the apostle Paul, where he wrote part of his epistles.

Found in: Acts 18:12; Rom. 16:5; 2 Cor. 11:10; 1 Thess. 1:7–8.