Topical Encyclopedia
The term "tetrarch" is derived from the Greek word "tetrarchēs," which means "ruler of a quarter." In the context of the New Testament and the Roman Empire, a tetrarch was a governor of one of four divisions of a country or province. The title was used to denote a ruler who governed a portion of a larger kingdom or territory, often under the authority of a higher king or emperor.
Historical ContextIn the Roman Empire, the title of tetrarch was not limited to exactly one-fourth of a region but was used more generally to describe a subordinate ruler. The most notable use of the term in the New Testament is in reference to Herod Antipas, who was a tetrarch of Galilee and Perea during the time of Jesus Christ. Herod Antipas was one of the sons of Herod the Great, who, upon his death, divided his kingdom among his sons. Herod Antipas ruled as tetrarch from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39.
Biblical ReferencesThe New Testament mentions tetrarchs in several passages, primarily in relation to Herod Antipas. In the Gospel of Matthew, Herod Antipas is referred to as a tetrarch when he hears about the fame of Jesus: "At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus" (
Matthew 14:1). This passage highlights Herod's political position and his interest in the activities of Jesus, which eventually led to the beheading of John the Baptist.
In the Gospel of Luke, the term is used to describe the political landscape during the time of John the Baptist's ministry: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene" (
Luke 3:1). This passage provides a historical framework for the events of the Gospels, situating them within the broader context of Roman rule.
Role and InfluenceAs a tetrarch, Herod Antipas wielded significant power within his territories, though he was ultimately subject to Roman authority. His rule was marked by political maneuvering and attempts to maintain favor with both the Roman authorities and the Jewish population. Herod's interactions with key figures of the New Testament, such as John the Baptist and Jesus, underscore his role in the political and religious dynamics of the time.
Herod Antipas's ambition and political acumen are evident in his construction projects, including the building of the city of Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, which served as his capital. Despite his efforts to solidify his rule, Herod's reign ended in exile after he was accused of conspiracy against the Roman Emperor Caligula.
Significance in the New TestamentThe mention of tetrarchs in the New Testament serves to provide historical context and to illustrate the complex political environment in which Jesus and His followers lived. The interactions between Jesus, John the Baptist, and Herod Antipas highlight the tension between the emerging Christian movement and the established political and religious authorities.
The role of the tetrarchs, particularly Herod Antipas, is a reminder of the fulfillment of God's plan through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, despite the opposition and challenges posed by earthly rulers.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Tetrarchgovernor of a fourth part
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Tetrarchproperly the sovereign or governor of the fourth part of a country. (Matthew 14:1;Luke 3:1;9:7;Acts 13:1) The title was, however, often applied to any one who governed a Roman province, of whatever size. The title of king was sometimes assigned to a tetrarch. (Matthew 14:9;Mark 6:14,22)
ATS Bible Dictionary
TetrarchIs strictly the ruler of the fourth part of a state or province; but in the New Testament it is a general title applied to those who governed any part of a kingdom or province, with an authority subject only to that of the Roman emperor. Thus Herod the Great and his brother were at one time, in early life, constituted tetrarchs of Judea by Antony. At the death of Herod the Great, he left half his kingdom to Archelaus, with the title of ethnarch; while the other half was divided between two of his other sons. Herod Antipas and Philip, with the title of tetrarchs. SeeHEROD 1 and 2.
In the same manner Lysanias is also said to have been tetrarch of Abilene,Luke 3:1. It is Herod Antipsas who is called the tetrarch inMatthew 14:1Luke 3:19 9:7Acts 13:1. As the authority of the tetrarch was similar to that of the king, so the general term king is also applied to Herod,Matthew 14:9Mark 6:14.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Strictly the ruler over the fourth part of a province; but the word denotes a ruler of a province generally (
Matthew 14:1;
Luke 3:1, 19;
9:7;
Acts 13:1). Herod and Phasael, the sons of Antipater, were the first tetrarchs in Palestine. Herod the tetrarch had the title of king (
Matthew 14:9).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A Roman governor of the fourth part of a province; hence, any subordinate or dependent prince; also, a petty king or sovereign.
2. (a.) Four.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TETRARCHte'-trark, tet'-rark tetrarches): As the name indicates it signifies a prince, who governs one-fourth of a domain or kingdom. The Greeks first used the word. Thus Philip of Macedon divided Thessaly into four "tetrarchies." Later on the Romans adopted the term and applied it to any ruler of a small principality. It is not synonymous with "ethnarch" at least the Romans made a distinction between Herod "tetrarch" of Galilee, Philip "tetrarch" of Trachonitis, Lysanias "tetrarch" of Abilene, and Archelaius "ethnarch" of Judea (BJ, II, vi, 3; Ant, XVII, xi, 4). The title was often conferred on Herodian princes by the Romans, and sometimes it was used courteously as a synonym for king (Matthew 14:9Mark 6:14). In the same way a "tetrarchy" was sometimes called a kingdom.
Henry E. Dosker
Greek
5075. tetrarcheo -- betetrarch.... 5074, 5075. tetrarcheo. 5076 . be
tetrarch. Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tetrarcheo Phonetic Spelling: (tet-rar-kheh'-o
...5076. tetrarches --tetrarch.
... 5075, 5076. tetrarches. 5077 .tetrarch. Part of Speech... prince"). Word Origin
variant reading for tetraarches, qv.tetrarch. From tessares...
5068a. tetraarches -- atetrarch (the governor of a fourth part of...
... 5068, 5068a. tetraarches. 5068b . atetrarch (the governor of a fourth part
of a region). Transliteration: tetraarches Short Definition:tetrarch....
5067b. tetraarcheo -- to betetrarch
... to betetrarch. Transliteration: tetraarcheo Short Definition:tetrarch. Word Origin
from tetraarches Definition to betetrarch NASB Word Usagetetrarch (3)....
5068. tetragonos -- atetrarch (the governor of a fourth part of a...
... atetrarch (the governor of a fourth part of a region). Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: tetragonos Phonetic Spelling: (tet-rag'-o-nos) Short...
5376. Philippos -- "horse-loving," Philip, two sons of Herod the...
... Philippos Phonetic Spelling: (fil'-ip-pos) Short Definition: Philip Definition:
Philip, (a) one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, (b)tetrarch of the Ituraean...
3078. Lusanias -- "ending sorrow," Lysanias, a governor of Abilene
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Lusanias Phonetic Spelling:
(loo-san-ee'-as) Short Definition: Lysanias Definition: Lysanias,tetrarch of Abilene....
Library
How Herod theTetrarch was Banished.
... Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years. From The Banishment Of Archelus To
The Departure From Babylon. CHAPTER 7. How Herod TheTetrarch Was Banished....
Herod theTetrarch Makes War with Aretas, the King of Arabia, and...
... CHAPTER 5. Herod TheTetrarch Makes War With Aretas, The King Of Arabia, And Is
Beaten By Him As Also Concerning The Death Of John The Baptist....
At that Time Herod theTetrarch Heard of the Fame of Jesus...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section XVIII. At that time Herod thetetrarch
heard of the fame of Jesus? [1] [1266] At that time...
Abgar Returns from the East; He Gives Help to Aretas in a War...
... Ancient Syriac Documents. Moses of Chorene. History of Armenia. IV. Abgar returns
from the east; he gives help to Aretas in a war against Herod theTetrarch....
On the Position Given to the Preaching of John the Baptist in all...
... of John in these terms: Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius C??sar,
Pontius Pilate being governor of Jud??a, and Herod beingtetrarch of Galilee...
Of the Two Herods.
... Luke has told us how, in the days of John's baptizing, and at the time when the
Lord, being then a grown man, was also baptized, Herod wastetrarch of Galilee...
John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... The ruler who murdered John the Baptist and who assisted at the trial of Jesus]
beingtetrarch [this word means properly the ruler of a fourth part of a country...
The Times of Pilate.
... Footnotes: [162] Archelaus was a son of Herod the Great, and own brother of
theTetrarch Herod Antipas, with whom he was educated at Rome....
The Preaching of John. Ch. 3:1-20
... 1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being
governor of Judaea, and Herod beingtetrarch of Galilee, and his brother...
John the Preacher of Repentance
... 'Now, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate being
governor of Judea, and Herod beingtetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip...
Thesaurus
Tetrarch (5 Occurrences)... Herod the
tetrarch had the title of king (Matthew 14:9). Noah Webster's Dictionary.
... 2. (a.) Four. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
TETRARCH.
...Abilene (1 Occurrence)
... and 18 from the latter. Lysanias was governor ortetrarch of this province.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ABILENE. a-bi-le'-ne...
Lysanias (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryTetrarch of Abilene (Luke 3:1), on the eastern slope of
Anti-Lebanon, near the city of Damascus. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Herodias (7 Occurrences)
... 3:19, 20; Luke 9:7-9). According to the Gospel records, Herodias had previously
been married to Philip, but had deserted him for his brother Herod thetetrarch...
Ituraea (1 Occurrence)
... sea. Josephus speaks of Soemus as atetrarch in Lebanon (Vita, 11); while
Tacitus calls him governor of the Itureans (Ann. xii.23)....
Lysanius (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate
being governor of Judea, and Herod beingtetrarch of Galilee, and his brother...
Lysa'ni-as (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 3:1 And in the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar -- Pontius
Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herodtetrarch of Galilee, and Philip...
Iturea (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate
being governor of Judea, and Herod beingtetrarch of Galilee, and his brother...
Iturae'a (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 3:1 And in the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar -- Pontius
Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herodtetrarch of Galilee, and Philip...
Judea (50 Occurrences)
... Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate
being governor of Judea, and Herod beingtetrarch of Galilee, and his...
Resources
Who was Herod Antipas? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the various Herods mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat year was Jesus Christ born? When was Jesus born? | GotQuestions.orgTetrarch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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