Numenius
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]
NUMENIUS. One of an embassy sent ( c [Note: circa, about.] . b.c. 144) by the Jews to Rome and Sparta ( 1Ma 12:1-18 ). He visited Rome on a similar errand a few years later ( 1Ma 14:24; 1Ma 15:15-24 ).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [2]
nū́ - mē´ni - us ( Νουμήνιος , Noumḗnios ): The son of Antiochus, and Antipater were the two ambassadors whom Jonathan sent to the Romans, "to the Spartans, and to other places," after his victory in the plain of Hazor (Galilee) over the princes of Demetrius ( 1 Maccabees 12:1 ff) about 144 BC. Their mission was to confirm and renew the friendship and treaty which had existed from the days of Judas ( 1 Maccabees 8:17 ff). They were well received and successful, both at Rome ( 1 Maccabees 12:3 f) and at Sparta ( 1 Maccabees 12:19 ff; 14:22 f). After the death of Jonathan, the victories of Simon and the establishment of peace, Simon sent Numenius on a second embassy to Rome ( 1 Maccabees 14:24 ), again to confirm the treaty and present a golden shield weighing 1,000 minae - apparently just before the popular decree by which Simon was created high priest, leader and captain "for ever" ( 1 Maccabees 14:27 ff), September, 141 BC. The embassy returned in 139 BC, bearing letters from the senate to the kings of Egypt, Syria and "all the countries," confirming the integrity of Jewish territory, and forbidding these kings to disturb the Jews, and requiring them also to surrender any deserters ( 1 Maccabees 14:15 ff). See also Lucius; Schurer, Gesch. des judischen Volkes (3and 4th editions), I, 236,250 f.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [3]
(Νουμήνιος ), son of Antiochus, was sent by Jonathan on an embassy to Rome ( 1 Maccabees 12:16) and Sparta (12:17) to renew the friendly connections between these nations and the Jews, B.C. cir. 144. It appears that he had not returned from his mission at the death of Jonathan (14:22, 23). He was again despatched to Rome by Simon, B.C. cir. 141 (14:24), where he was well received, and obtained letters in favor of his countrymen, addressed to the various Eastern powers dependent on the republic, ‘ B.C. 139 (15:15 sq.). See Lucius.
