Trypho (Τρύφων, Tryphōn). The surname of Diodotus, a usurper of the Seleucid throne (145 bc) during the Maccabean period (1 Macc 11:38–40, 54–59; 12:39–13:24, 31–32; 14:1; 15:10–14, 25, 37–39).

Trypho was a native of Apamea, in the service of Alexander Balas. Balas seized the Seleucid throne after the death of Demetrius I in 150 bc. Demetrius II, son of Demetrius I (1 Macc 11:39), opposed Balas and tried to recover his father’s throne. When Balas died in 145 bc, Trypho set up Antiochus VI (Balas’ younger son) as claimant to the throne, with himself as regent (1 Macc 11:39).

Jonathan Maccabeus and the Jewish soldiers originally supported Demetrius. But when Demetrius was in power, he broke his promises (1 Macc 11:53). Consequently, Jonathan and Simon, his brother, joined Trypho and Antiochus VI (1 Macc 11:54), and Demetrius was driven out of Antioch.

Trypho then grew suspicious of Jonathan and decided to kill him. Trypho captured Jonathan by treachery at Ptolemais and butchered all his followers (1 Macc 12:48). Simon then became leader and thwarted Trypho in his attempts upon Jerusalem. Trypho then murdered Jonathan at Baskama (1 Macc 13:23) in 142 bc. Trypho next murdered the young Antiochus VI (1 Macc 13:31) and claimed the throne of Syria for himself (142 bc).

Simon now joined Demetrius’ side, demanding in return that Judaea should be free from tribute to Syria (1 Macc 13:33–35). However, Demetrius was captured by Mithridates I (Arsaces), king of Parthia (1 Macc 14:2). Demetrius’ brother, Antiochus VII, continued the struggle against Trypho. At first Antiochus VII accepted Simon’s help, but later refused it (1 Macc 15:27).

Antiochus VII pursued Trypho to Dor (1 Macc 15:11), Ptolemais, Orthosia, and finally to Apamea, where Antiochus captured and killed him (Josephus, Antiquities 13.223).