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Asiarch
Excerpt from the Lexham Bible Dictionary, the most advanced Bible dictionary.
A title given to high civic officials in major Hellenistic centers in the province of Asia, mentioned in Acts 19:31.
Lexham Bible Dictionary
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The Lexham Bible Dictionary
Asiarch
Asiarch (Ἀσιάρχης, Asiarchēs). A title given to high civic officials in major Hellenistic centers in the province of Asia, mentioned in Acts 19:31.
The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary
Asiarchs
ASIARCHS. The title signifies an office which was associated with the league of Greek cities in the Roman province of Asia. However, the exact nature of the connection has been much debated because of the apparently contradictory information supplied by the sources.There are 3 main kinds of evidence
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible
Asiarch
Asiarch. Title of an official of unknown function in the Roman province of Asia. Several such officials were concerned for the safety of Paul during a silversmiths’ riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:31). Nothing else is known about their qualifications, periods of tenure, or duties. Why there were a number of
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised
Asiarch
Asiarch āʹzhi-ärk [GK. Asiarchēs] (Acts 19:31); AV “chief of Asia”; NEB “dignitaries of the province.” The title given to certain men of high honorary rank in the Roman province of Asia. What their exact functions were is not altogether clear. They derived their appellation from the name of the province
Tyndale Bible Dictionary
Asiarch
ASIARCH* Title of an official of unknown function in the Roman province of Asia. Several such officials were concerned for the safety of Paul during a silversmiths’ riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:31). Nothing else is known about their qualifications, periods of tenure, or duties. Why there were a number of
The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated)
Asiarchs
Asiarchs (ay´zhee-ahrks), Roman administrative officials selected by a league of cities in the province of Asia. Their duties included overseeing local rituals and ceremonies on behalf of Rome and the emperor. Acts 19:31 represents that some Asiarchs in Ephesus were friendly toward Paul.
The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia
Asiarchs
ASIARCHS. These were officials and possibly “high priests of the temples of Asia” (Ramsay and Lightfoot), though some authorities challenge this designation. There were chief men of equal rank in other provinces (cf. Syriarch, Pamphyliarch, etc.) They must have been men of means, as they incurred considerable
The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition
Asiarch
ASIARCH In Acts 19:31 some of the Asiarchs (Gk. asiarchēs), described as friends of Paul, warn him not to risk his life by going into the Ephesian theatre during the riotous demonstration in honour of Artemis. The league (koinon) of cities of the province of Asia was administered by the Asiarchs, who
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible
Asiarch
Asiarch (Gk. asiárchēs)Title of deputies of the assembly of Asia (Gk. koinón Asɩ́as), which met regularly in Ephesus, the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor. Holding the office for a fixed term, the Asiarchs were often from leading families of major cities. They frequently were benefactors
Eerdmans Bible Dictionary
Asiarch
Asiarch [āˊzhĭ ärk] (Gk. Asiarchēs). The title of wealthy and prominent citizens of the Roman province of Asia. They were responsible for managing the games in honor of the emperor, and may have constituted a provincial council of sorts. They were elected for one year only, but reelection was possible.
Catholic Bible Dictionary
Asiarchs
ASIARCHS (Greek asiarchēs) The title used in Acts 19:31 for a group of officials in the province of Asia who met annually at Ephesus; aside from Acts, they are known chiefly through inscriptions, with little else known of their function. They probably belonged to the chief families of the province;
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Asiarchæ
Asiar´chæ (chief of Asia) (Authorized Version; Acts 19:31), officers chosen annually by the cities of that part of the province of Asia of which Ephesus was, under Roman government, the metropolis. They had charge of the public games and religious theatrical spectacles, the expenses of which they bore.
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Asiarchs