Benefactor

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Benefactor ( εὐεργέτης).—A title conferred by a grateful sovereign or country for useful service rendered, often in time of difficulty or danger ( Esther 2:23;  Esther 6:2). The names of royal benefactors were enrolled in a register (Herod. viii. 85, where see Rawlinson’s note; Thnc. 1:129). In the Persian tongue the king’s benefactors enjoyed a special title, possibly implying that their names were recorded. Besides the special appellation given to all who had done public service, the title ‘benefactor’ is occasionally mentioned as a perpetual epithet of kings, merely enhancing their dignity. So Antiochus vii. of Syria, Ptolemy iii. of Egypt, and at a later period Ptolemy vii. (b.c. 145–117), were called benefactors. It is evidently this latter, complimentary or official, title to which our Lord chiefly allndes in  Luke 22:55, and so Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 rightly spells with a capital, ‘Benefactors.’ In worldly societies men reign in virtue of superior power, and Εὐεργέτης, ‘Benefactor,’ is a title of flattery which may be applied to the most cruel despot—as in the case of Ptolemy vii., otherwise known as Physcon (‘Big-Belly’), and also called Κακεργέτης by a play upon his official designation. But in this new society which Jesus is instituting, the greatest is to be as the least, and he that is chief as he that doth serve. And this after the example of the Lord Himself, who, being the true Εὐεργέτης, ‘came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many’ (see the parallel passage  Matthew 20:25-28, and cf. the ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν διδόμενον, ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἐκχυνόμενον which Jesus had just spoken at the Last Supper [ Luke 22:19-20]).

Literature.—Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible, art. ‘Benefactor’; Comm . of Alford and Godet, in loc.  ; Smith, Classical Dict. , art. ‘Ptolemaeus.’

C. H. Prichard.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

BENEFACTOR .   Luke 22:25 only, ‘they that exercise authority over them (the Gentiles) are called benefactors.’ The word is an exact tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of the Gr. Euergetçs , a title of honour borne by two of the Gr. kings of Egypt before Christ’s day, Ptolemy III. (b.c. 247 222) and Ptolemy VII. (IX.) (b.c. 147 117). Hence RV [Note: Revised Version.] properly spells with a capital, ‘Benefactors.’

Morrish Bible Dictionary

This was a term of praise and flattery often used towards the rulers who loved to hear themselves spoken well of. The Lord said it was not to be so with His disciples; they had been disputing who should be the greatest (and that too when their Lord was approaching the cross!) whereas they ought to have taken a low place, following in His steps.  Luke 22:25 .

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) One who confers a benefit or benefits.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ben -ē̇ -fak´tẽr (Greek euergétēs ,  Luke 22:25 ): There is here a probable allusion to two kings of Egypt (Ptolemy Iii and VII), who had the surname "Euergetes," of whom the period of the first was 247-242 bc, and of the second, 147-117 bc. Jesus draws the contrast between worldly kingdoms, in which the title "benefactor" is given those who rule with all the splendor of earthly display and luxury, and His kingdom, in which it belongs only to those whose work is that of humble, obscure and often menial service.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(εὐεργέτης ). "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called Benefactors " ( Luke 22:25). This word was employed as a title of hora or to kings and princes, corresponding to the Latin pater patriae. Ptolemy Euergetes, king of Egypt, affords an instance of the application of the word in this sense. According to Josephus and Philo, it was frequently applied to the Roman emperors (see Josephus, War, 3, 9, 8; Diod. Sic. 11:26; Xen. Anab. 7, 6, 38)