Topical Encyclopedia
Homer is not a direct figure or subject within the biblical texts; however, his works and the cultural milieu they represent can be considered when examining the broader historical and literary context of the Bible. Homer is traditionally attributed as the author of the ancient Greek epic poems, the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey," which are foundational works of Western literature. These epics, believed to have been composed in the 8th century BC, provide insight into the Greek world, which later interacted with the biblical world, particularly during the Hellenistic period.
Cultural and Historical ContextThe world of Homer is one of polytheism, heroism, and a pantheon of gods that interact with humans in a manner that is markedly different from the monotheistic worldview of the Bible. The Greek gods, as depicted in Homeric epics, are capricious and often morally ambiguous, contrasting sharply with the biblical portrayal of Yahweh as a just and righteous God. This difference highlights the distinctiveness of the biblical narrative and its theological assertions.
Hellenistic InfluenceThe influence of Greek culture, including Homeric literature, became more pronounced during the Hellenistic period following the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. This era saw the spread of Greek language and culture throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, including regions that are significant in biblical history, such as Judea. The New Testament, written in Greek, reflects this cultural milieu. The Apostle Paul, for instance, was well-versed in Greek culture and literature, as evidenced by his ability to engage with Greek philosophers and poets (
Acts 17:28).
Biblical Parallels and ContrastsWhile the Bible does not directly reference Homer, the contrast between the biblical worldview and the Homeric epics can be instructive. The Bible presents a linear view of history with a clear beginning and end, centered on God's redemptive plan for humanity. In contrast, the Homeric epics often depict a cyclical view of life, focused on the exploits and fates of individual heroes.
The moral and ethical teachings of the Bible also stand in contrast to the values depicted in Homeric literature. The Bible emphasizes themes such as love, justice, and mercy, as seen in passages like
Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" . These themes are often at odds with the honor and vengeance-driven ethos of the Homeric heroes.
Educational and Literary ValueDespite these differences, the study of Homer can provide valuable educational insights into the ancient world and its literature. Understanding Homeric epics can enhance one's appreciation of the cultural and historical backdrop against which the biblical narrative unfolds. Additionally, the literary techniques found in Homer, such as the use of epic similes and detailed characterizations, can be appreciated for their artistic merit and influence on subsequent Western literature.
In summary, while Homer is not a biblical figure, his works offer a window into the ancient Greek world, which interacted with the biblical world in significant ways. The study of Homer alongside the Bible can enrich one's understanding of the cultural and historical contexts that shaped the ancient Near East and the Mediterranean world.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Homer[WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ANDMEASURES]
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Heap, the largest of dry measures, containing about 8 bushels or 1 quarter English = 10 ephahs (
Leviticus 27:16;
Numbers 11:32) = a COR. (see
OMER.)
"Half a homer," a grain measure mentioned only inHosea 3:2.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A carrier pigeon remarkable for its ability to return home from a distance.
2. (n.) See Hoemother.
3. (n.) A Hebrew measure containing, as a liquid measure, ten baths, equivalent to fifty-five gallons, two quarts, one pint; and, as a dry measure, ten ephahs, equivalent to six bushels, two pecks, four quarts.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HOMERho'-mer (chomer): A dry measure containing about 11 bushels. It was equal to 10 ephas.
SeeWEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Greek
2919. krino -- to judge, decide... J. Thayer comments that "the proper meaning of 2919 () is (choose) " (as
also used in
Homer, Herodotus, Aeschyl., Xenophon, Plato).
...73. agon -- a gathering, contest, struggle
... "In secular Greek 73 () refers to a gathering to see the games, or the place of
contest (Homer), or the Olympus games themselves, or some smaller contest in...
5401. phobos -- panic flight, fear, the causing of fear, terror
... 5401 (from , "to flee, withdraw") -- (fromHomer about 900 bc on) 5401 () meant ,
fleeing because feeling inadequate (without sufficient , )....
1793. entugchano -- to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext....
... Accordingly, it is used in classical Greek as the of ("to miss the mark, sin"),
so Lucian, Xenophon,Homer, etc. (see Thayer, 5177 ).]....
3661. homothumadon -- with one mind
... 18:12, 19:29. 3661 () is also used inHomer, "Wolves and lambs do not have
hearts with each other" (22.263, ).]. Word Origin from...
4241. prepo -- to be fitting, proper, suitable
... fit'" (Vine, Unger, White, , 55). [This is also the meaning of this term
inHomer, 8:172.]. Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to be...
2937. ktisis -- creation (the act or the product)
... Cognate: 2937 -- properly, creation (creature) which is from (this is also the sense
of this term fromHomer on); creation out of nothing (Lat )....
5177. tugchano -- to hit, hit upon, meet, happen
... Eph 2:10 with Ps 139:16). [5177 () literally means " (the mark)" and therefore opposite
to 264 (""). 5117 () means " (as inHomer, Xen., etc. al.)" ()....
622. apollumi -- to destroy, destroy utterly
... by experiencing a miserable end. [This is also the meaning of 622 dating
back toHomer (900 bc .]. Word Origin from apo and same...
427. aneu -- without (preposition)
... of. 427 -- properly, ", ie or (used with this meaning fromHomer on" (J.
Thayer). Word Origin perhaps akin to alpha (as a neg. prefix...
Strong's Hebrew
2563c. chomer --homer (a dry measure)... 2563b, 2563c. chomer. 2564 .
homer (a dry measure). Transliteration:
chomer Short Definition:
homer. Word Origin from the same as
...3963. lethek -- a dry measure
... halfhomer. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a measure for things dry --
halfhomer. 3962, 3963. lethek. 3964 . Strong's Numbers.
2563. chomer -- cement, mortar, clay
... 2562, 2563. chomer. 2563a . cement, mortar, clay. Transliteration: chomer Phonetic
Spelling: (kho'mer) Short Definition: clay. clay, heap,homer, mire, motion...
Library
Testimony ofHomer.
... Chapter XVII."Testimony ofHomer.... For monarchy is free from contention. So far the
poetHomer. Footnotes: [2543] Iliad, ix. 445. [2544] Iliad, ii. 204....
Agreement of Plato andHomer.
... Chapter XXIV."Agreement of Plato andHomer. How, then, does Plato banish
Homer from his republic, since, in the embassy to Achilles...
Homer's Obligations to the Sacred Writers.
... Chapter XXVIII."Homer's obligations to the sacred writers. And not only Plato,
butHomer also, having received similar enlightenment...
Opinions ofHomer and Hesiod Concerning the Gods.
... Theophilus to Autolycus: Book II. Chapter V."Opinions ofHomer and Hesiod
Concerning the Gods. So that the opinion of your philosophers...
Homer's Knowledge of Man's Origin.
... Chapter XXX."Homer's knowledge of man's origin.... These thingsHomer and Plato, having
learned in Egypt from the ancient histories, wrote in their own words....
Further Exposition of the Heresy of the Naasseni; Profess to...
... Book V. Chapter III."Further Exposition of the Heresy of the Naasseni; Profess to
FollowHomer; Acknowledge a Triad of Principles; Their Technical Names of...
Why Then did I Hate the Greek Classics, which have the Like Tales?...
... tales? ForHomer?... ForHomer also curiously wove the like fictions, and is
most sweetly-vain, yet was he bitter to my boyish taste. And...
The Gods of the Mythic Class the Poets a Very Poor Authority in...
... Book II. Chapter VII."The Gods of the Mythic Class The Poets a Very Poor Authority
in Such Matters.Homer and the Mythic Poets. Why Irreligious....
The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of...
... Heathen Official Persons.Homer Made the Gods Contemptible. [604] Pour
out... sport of them. I meanHomer by this description. He it...
Opinions of Plato and Aristotle.
... whom Plato had banished from his republic as a liar, and as being an imitator of
the images of truth at three removes, [2523] for so Plato callsHomer; for he...
Thesaurus
Homer (6 Occurrences)... (see OMER.). "Half a
homer," a grain measure mentioned only in Hosea 3:2.
...HOMER.
ho'-mer (chomer): A dry measure containing about 11 bushels.
...Cor (1 Occurrence)
... It was equal to onehomer, and contained ten ephahs in dry and ten baths in liquid
measure (Ezek. 45:14).... (n.) A Hebrew measure of capacity; ahomer. Int....
Bath (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A Hebrew liquid measure, the tenth part of anhomer (1
Kings 7:26, 38; Ezek.... Its relation to thehomer is given in Ezekiel 45:11, 14....
Half-homer (1 Occurrence)
Half-homer. Half-heartedly, Half-homer. Half-open . Multi-Version
Concordance Half-homer (1 Occurrence). Hosea 3:2 So...
Unit (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 45:11 The ephah and the bath are to be of the same measure, so that the
bath is equal to a tenth of ahomer, and the ephah to a tenth of ahomer: the...
Measurement (14 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 45:11 The ephah and the bath is of one measure, for the bath to bear a tenth
of thehomer, and the ephah a tenth of thehomer: according to thehomer...
Containing (12 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 45:11 The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may
contain the tenth part of ahomer, and the ephah the tenth part of ahomer; the...
Ephah (55 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 5:10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed
of anhomer shall yield an ephah. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Contain (19 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 45:11 The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may
contain the tenth part of ahomer, and the ephah the tenth part of ahomer: its...
Quantity (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 45:11 The ephah and the bath are to be of the same measure, so that the
bath is equal to a tenth of ahomer, and the ephah to a tenth of ahomer: the...
Resources
What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is bibliomancy? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Bible reliable? | GotQuestions.orgHomer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
