Difference between revisions of "Demetrius"

<p> <strong> DEMETRIUS </strong> . <strong> 1. </strong> <em> [[Soter]] </em> , the son of [[Seleucus]] <em> Philopator </em> . In his boyhood he was sent (b.c. 175) to Rome as a hostage, but made his escape after the death of his uncie, [[Antiochus]] Epiphanes. [[Landing]] at Tripolis, he was joined by large bodies of the people, and even by the bodyguard of his cousin, Antiochus Eupator. [[Eupator]] was soon defeated and put to death, and in b.c. 162, [[Demetrius]] was proclaimed king ( 1Ma 7:1-4 , 2Ma 14:1-2; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XII. x. 1). After seven years, [[Alexander]] Balas (wh. see) was set up as a claimant to the crown of [[Syria]] (b.c. 153); and he and Demetrius competed for the support of [[Jonathan]] ( 1Ma 10:1-21; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. ii. 1 3). Balas prevailed in spite of the attempts of his rival to outbid him ( 1Ma 10:25-45 ). In b.c. 150 a decisive engagement took place, in which Demetrius was defeated and slain ( 1Ma 10:48-50; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. ii. 4). </p> <p> <strong> 2. </strong> <em> Nikator </em> , sent by his father, <em> D. Soter </em> , for safety to Chidus after the success of Balas seemed probable. After several years of exile he landed (b.c. 147) with an army of Cretan mercenaries on the Cilician coast, and finally inflicted a fatal defeat upon Balas (b.c. 145) on the banks of the Œnoparas, from which event Demetrius derived his surname ( 1Ma 11:14-19; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. iv. 8). He bought off the opposition of Jonathan by the addition of three [[Samaritan]] provinces to Judæa, and the exemption from tribute of the country thus enlarged ( 1Ma 11:20-37; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. iv. 9). After varying fortunes in the war with [[Tryphon]] (wh. see), Demetrius invaded the dominions of the king of Parthia, by whom, in b.c. 138, he was taken prisoner ( 1Ma 14:1-3 ). Upon regaining his liberty at the end of ten years, he undertook a war against [[Ptolemy]] <em> Physkon </em> of Egypt. Having been defeated by Zabinas at Damascus, he fled to Ptolemais, and thence to Tyre, where in b.c. 125 he was murdered (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. ix. 3), possibly at the instigation of his wife [[Cleopatra]] (App. <em> Syr </em> . 68; Liv. <em> Epit </em> . lx.). </p> <p> <strong> 3. </strong> <em> Eukairos </em> , grandson of <em> D. Nikator </em> . On the death of his father he established himself in Cœle-Syria, with [[Damascus]] as his capital (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. xiii. 4). When civil war broke out between Alexander Jannæus and his [[Pharisee]] subjects, the latter invited the assistance of Demetrius (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. xiii. 5, <em> BJ </em> I. iv. 4), who defeated Jannæus in a pitched battle near Shecbem (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. xiv. 1, <em> BJ </em> I. iv. 5). After a chequered career, Demetrius fell into the hands of the Parthians, by whom he was detained in captivity until his death (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] <em> Ant </em> . XIII. xiv. 3). </p> <p> <strong> 4, 5. </strong> Two persons of the name are mentioned in NT the ringleader in the riot at [[Ephesus]] ( Acts 19:24 ), and a disciple commended by St. John ( 3 John 1:12 ). Probably the same name occurs in a contracted form as <em> [[Demas]] </em> . </p>

<p> There are two, if not three, persons of this name mentioned in the NT-a fact which is not surprising, considering how very common the name was in the Greek world. </p> <p> 1. Demetrius, the silversmith of Ephesus (Acts 19). A business man, profoundly interested in the success of his business, Demetrius was a manufacturer of various objects in silver, of which the most profitable were small silver models of the shrine of the [[Ephesian]] goddess [[Artemis]] (see Diana). These models were purchased by the rich, dedicated to the goddess, and hung up within her temple. The preaching of St. Paul was so powerful that devotion to the goddess became less prevalent, the demand for such offerings was reduced, and Demetrius felt his livelihood in danger. He called a meeting of the gild of his handicraft to decide on a means for coping with the new situation. The meeting ended in a public disturbance. Nothing is known of the later life of Demetrius. </p> <p> 2. Demetrius, an important member of the church referred to in the Second and Third [[Epistles]] of St. John. It is impossible to identify the church with certainty, but there can be little doubt that it was in the province of Asia. The presbyter-overseer of the church is absent, and in his absence [[Gaius]] and Demetrius act in the truest interest of the members. Demetrius’ good conduct (3 John 1:12) is attested by all. </p> <p> 3. The full name of Demas (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:10, Philemon 1:24) may very well have been Demetrius (possibly Demodorus, Demodotus); see Demas. </p> <p> Literature.-See W. M. Ramsay’s lifelike picture of the scene at Ephesus in his <i> St. Paul the [[Traveller]] and the [[Roman]] [[Citizen]] </i> , London, 1895, p. 277ff. The best list of pet-names is found in A. N. Jannaris, <i> An [[Historical]] Greek Grammar </i> , do. 1897, § 287. </p> <p> A. Souter. </p>

<p> 1. A maker of silver portable models of the great temple and statue of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus (Acts 19:24). They were kept as amulets against danger. Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen, in fear for their gains, raised a tumult against Paul as saying "they be no gods which are made with hands." Like many men he made regard for religion his plea, while really having an eye to self; "not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth." A religious party cry is sure to rouse many who care little at heart about piety. It shows how soon Christianity, notwithstanding its seeming weakness, was felt as a mighty power threatening pagandom with all its then greatness. </p> <p> 2. A [[Christian]] "having good report of all men, and of the truth itself," and of John (3 John 1:12). The gospel standard of truth witnessed his conformity to it in love and good works; a transparently real Christian. </p>

<p> 1. A goldsmith of Ephesus, who made models of the famous temple of Diana at Ephesus, which he sold to foreigners, Acts 19:24-4 . Observing the progress of the gospel, not in Ephesus only, but in the regions around, he assembled his fellow-craftsmen, and represented that, by this new doctrine, not only their trade would suffer, but the worship of the great Diana of Ephesus was in danger of being entirely forsaken. This produced an uproar and riot in the city, which the town clerk with difficulty appeased by firmness and persuasion. </p> <p> 2. A disciple, and probably a minister, of high repute, 3 John 1:12 . He may have been formerly the silversmith of Ephesus; but this can be neither proved nor disproved. </p>

<li> A Christian who is spoken of as having "a good report of all men, and of the truth itself" (3 John 1:12 ). <div> <p> Copyright StatementThese dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated [[Bible]] Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. Entry for 'Demetrius'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/d/demetrius.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> Deme'trius. (belonging to Ceres). </p> <p> 1. A maker of silver shrines of Artemis at Ephesus. Acts 19:24. (About A.D. 52). These were small models of the great temple of the Ephesian Artemis, with her statue, which it was customary to carry on journeys, and place on houses as charms. </p> <p> 2. A disciple, 3 John 1:12, mentioned with commendation, (about A.D. 90). Possibly the first Demetrius, 1, converted; but this is very doubtful. </p>

<p> Demetrius (de-mç'tri-ŭs), belonging to [[Demeter]] or Geres. 1. A maker of silver shrines—models of the great temple—of Diana or Artemis at Ephesus. Acts 19:24. 2. A Christian mentioned with' commendation by John. 3 John 1:12. </p>

<p> 1. [[Silversmith]] of Ephesus, who made silver shrines of the temple. Fearing that the preaching of Paul against idolatry would lessen the gains of himself and others, he raised an uproar. Acts 19:24,38 . </p> <p> 2. A convert who was borne witness to by all, and by the truth itself. 3 John 12 . </p>

Acts 19:24-413 John 1:12

<p> <p> Copyright StatementThese files are public domain. </p> <p> Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Demetrius'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and [[Ecclesiastical]] Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/d/demetrius.html. [[Harper]] & Brothers. New York. 1870. </p> </p>