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Adiabene was an ancient kingdom located in the region of Assyria, corresponding to parts of modern-day northern Iraq. It played a significant role in the history of the Jewish people during the Second Temple period, particularly in the context of the Jewish diaspora and the spread of Judaism beyond the traditional boundaries of Israel.

Historical Background

Adiabene was a vassal state under the Parthian Empire, and its capital was Arbela, known today as Erbil. The kingdom is most notable for its royal family's conversion to Judaism in the 1st century AD. This conversion is a remarkable example of the spread of Judaism in the ancient world and highlights the influence of Jewish culture and religion beyond the borders of Judea.

Conversion to Judaism

The most famous figures associated with Adiabene are Queen Helena and her son, King Monobazus II. According to historical sources, including the writings of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, Queen Helena converted to Judaism and became a devout practitioner. Her conversion had a significant impact on the kingdom, as she used her influence and resources to support the Jewish people, particularly during times of famine.

Queen Helena is noted for her pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where she contributed to the welfare of the Jewish community. She is credited with providing aid during a severe famine, as mentioned in Josephus' "Antiquities of the Jews" (Book 20, Chapter 2). Her son, Monobazus II, also embraced Judaism and continued his mother's legacy of supporting the Jewish people.

Biblical Connections

While Adiabene itself is not directly mentioned in the Bible, its historical context and the conversion of its royal family to Judaism are significant in understanding the broader narrative of Jewish history during the Second Temple period. The influence of Jewish thought and practice in regions like Adiabene illustrates the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the spread of God's people and their influence among the nations.

The Berean Standard Bible provides insight into the Jewish diaspora and the spread of Judaism, which can be seen as part of the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3). The account of Adiabene serves as a testament to the reach of Jewish faith and the providence of God in guiding the hearts of rulers and nations.

Cultural and Religious Impact

The conversion of the Adiabenian royal family had a lasting impact on the cultural and religious landscape of the region. It demonstrated the appeal and influence of Judaism in the ancient world and highlighted the interconnectedness of different cultures and religions during this period. The support of the Adiabenian monarchy for the Jewish people also underscores the theme of divine providence and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

In summary, Adiabene represents a unique chapter in Jewish history, illustrating the spread of Judaism beyond its traditional borders and the influence of Jewish faith and culture in the ancient Near East. The kingdom's royal family's conversion to Judaism and their subsequent support for the Jewish people serve as a powerful example of the fulfillment of God's promises and the enduring impact of His covenant with Israel.ADIABENE

a-di-a-be'-ne (Adiabene): A state lying on the east of the Tigris, on the greater and lesser rivers Zab, in the territory of ancient Assyria. For the half-century terminating with the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, Adiabene is especially interesting by reason of the careers of its king, Izates, and his mother Helena, who became Jews. They had their part in the Jewish-Roman wars, and in various ways were typical of the existing situation. (See Ant, XX, 2-5; BJ, II, xvi, 4; xix. 2; V, iv, 2; vi. 1; xi. 5; VI, vi, 4.) Somewhat later Adiabene was absorbed into the Roman Empire and became one of the six provinces which formed the larger province of Assyria, though Pliny and Ammianus sometimes call the large province by the name Adiabene.

Willis J. Beecher

How Helena the Queen ofAdiabene and Her Son Izates, Embraced the...
... CHAPTER 2. How Helena The Queen OfAdiabene And Her Son Izates, Embraced The Jewish
Religion; And How Helena Supplied The Poor With Corn, When There Was A...

Helen, the Queen of the Osrhoenians.
... XX. 2. Helen was the wife of the king Monabazus ofAdiabene, and the mother of Izates,
his successor.... 6). Izates was king ofAdiabene in the narrower sense....

How Izates was Betrayed by his Own Subjects, and Fought against by...
... And when he had plundered it of all the prey that was in it, which was not small,
he returned toAdiabene; yet did not he take Abia alive, because, when he...

Book 20 Footnotes
... is very full and express in these three chapters, 3., 4., and 5., in observing how
carefully Divine Providence preserved this Izates, king ofAdiabene, and his...

What Cestius did against the Jews; and How, Upon his Besieging...
... were footmen, and the rest horsemen, while the Jews lost only twenty-two, of whom
the most valiant were the kinsmen of Monobazus, king ofAdiabene, and their...

The Description of Jerusalem.
... city, and the tower Psephinus, and then was so far extended till it came over against
the monuments of Helena, which Helena was queen ofAdiabene, the daughter...

Tarbula, the Sister of Symeon, and Her Martyrdom.
... presbyters. They sought them especially in the country ofAdiabene, a part of
the Persian dominions, because it was wholly Christianized....

Pusices, Superintendent of the Artisans of Sapor.
... Footnotes: [1161] Assemanus, Bibl. Orient. ti 189, speaks of Azades as the eunuch
of Artascirus, ruler ofAdiabene, who was a cousin of Sapor....

The Church History of Eusebius. Index of Subjects.
... Adam, [33]92; salvation of, denied by Tatian, [34]208. Adamantius, name given to
Origen, [35]261.Adiabene, [36]113. Adrianus, a martyr, [37]354....

How the Jews were Crucified Before the Walls of the City...
... Tephtheus, of Garsis, a city of Galilee, and Megassarus, one who was derived from
some of queen Mariamne's servants, and with them one fromAdiabene, he was...

Adiabene
...ADIABENE. a-di-a-be'-ne (Adiabene): A state lying on the east of the Tigris, on
the greater and lesser rivers Zab, in the territory of ancient Assyria....

Adhering (7 Occurrences)

Nabathaeans
... divorced his daughter to marry Herodias. Under King Abias an expedition against
Adiabene came to grief. Malchus II (48-71 AD) assisted...

Nabataeans
... divorced his daughter to marry Herodias. Under King Abias an expedition against
Adiabene came to grief. Malchus II (48-71 AD) assisted...

Famine (99 Occurrences)
... Helena, queen ofAdiabene, being at Jerusalem at that time, procured corn from
Alexandria and figs from Cyprus for its poor inhabitants....

Tablet (7 Occurrences)
... properly described as a tablet, recalling the silver treaty between the Hittites
and Egyptians and the gold plate on which Queen Helena ofAdiabene (Yoma' 37a...

Adida

Atargatis
... sometimes written `Ati. or `Atah or `Ati was also worshipped at Palmyra, and
(according to Melito) inAdiabene. The compound Atargatis...

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... followed. Josephus tells an interesting story (Ant., XX, ii, 1) of the
conversion of Queen Helena ofAdiabene and her two sons....

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