| <p> ''''' nı̄ ''''' - ''''' kā´nor ''''' , ''''' nı̄´kā ''''' - ''''' nôr ''''' ( Νικάνωρ , <i> ''''' Nikanōr ''''' </i> ): The son of [[Patroclus]] and one of the king's "chief friends" ( 2 [[Maccabees]] 8:9 ), a [[Syrian]] general under [[Antiochus]] [[Epiphanes]] and [[Demetrius]] Soter. After the defeat of [[Seron]] by Judas, Epiphanes entrusted his chancellor [[Lysias]] with the reduction of [[Judea]] ( 1 Maccabees 3:34 ff). [[Nicanor]] was one of the three generals commissioned by Lysias - the others being Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes, and [[Gorgias]] ( 1 Maccabees 3:38 ). The campaign began in 166 BC; the [[Syrians]] were defeated at [[Emmaus]] ( 1 Maccabees 3:57 ff), while Gorgias at a later stage gained a victory at [[Jamnia]] over a body of [[Jews]] who disobeyed [[Judas]] ( 1 Maccabees 5:58 ). The account given in 2 Macc differs considerably, both in omissions and in additions ( 2 Maccabees 8:9 ff). There Nicanor, not Gorgias, is the chief in command. The battle of Emmaus is not mentioned, but "the thrice-accursed Nicanor," having in overweening pride invited a thousand slavedealers to accompany him to buy the [[Jewish]] captives, was humiliated, and his host was destroyed, he himself escaping "like a fugitive slave" to [[Antioch]] ( 2 Maccabees 8:34 f). After the death of Epiphanes, [[Eupator]] and Lysias (the last two at the hands of Demetrius ( 1 Maccabees 7:2 )), Nicanor appears again under King Demetrius in the struggle between [[Alcimus]] and Judas. Alcimus, having been seated in the priesthood by Demetrius' officer Bacchides, could not hold it against Judas and the patriots. He appealed again to Demetrius, who this time selected Nicanor, now governor of [[Cyprus]] ( 2 Maccabees 12:2 ) and known for his deadly hatred of the Jews, to settle the dispute and slay Judas ( 2 Maccabees 14:12 ff; 1 Maccabees 7:26 ff). Nicanor was appointed governor of Judea on this occasion. Again 1,2 Maccabees differ. According to 1 Maccabees, Nicanor sought in vain to seize Judas by treachery. Then followed the battle of [[Capharsalama]] ("village of peace"), in which the Syrians were defeated, though [[Josephus]] ( <i> Ant. </i> , Xii , x, 5) says Judas was defeated. Nicanor retired to Jerusalem, insulted the priests and threatened the destruction of the temple unless they delivered up Judas. He then retired to Beth-horon to find Judas posted opposite him at [[Adasa]] ( 1 Maccabees 7:39 ff) 3 1/2 miles distant. Here on the 13th of the 12th month [[Adar]] (March), 161 BC, the Syrians sustained a crushing defeat, Nicanor himself being the first to fall. The Jews cut off his head and proud right hand and hanged them up beside Jerusalem. For a little while Adasa gave the land of Judah rest. The people ordained to keep this "day of great gladness" year by year - the 13th of Adar, "the day before the day of Mordecai" (Feast of Purim). 2 Maccabees mentions that Simon, Judas' brother, was worsted in a first engagement (14:17), omits the battle of Capharsalama, and represents Nicanor, struck with the manliness of the Jews, as entering into friendly relations with Judas, urging him to marry and lead a quiet life, forgetful of the king's command until Alcimus accused him to Demetrius. The latter peremptorily ordered Nicanor to bring Judas in all haste as prisoner to Antioch (14:27). The scene of the final conflict (Adasa) is given only as "in the region of Samaria" (15:1). According to this account, it was Judas who ordered the mutilation of Nicanor and in a more gruesome fashion (15:30 ff). It is <i> possible </i> that the Nicanor, the [[Cypriarch]] or governor of Cyprus of 2 Maccabees 12:2 , is a different person from Nicanor, the son of Patroclus - a view not accepted in the above account. </p> | | <p> ( Νικάνωρ , <i> ''''' Nikánōr ''''' </i> ): One of "the seven" chosen to superintend "the daily ministration" of the poor of the [[Christian]] community at [[Jerusalem]] ( Acts 6:5 ). The name is Greek. </p> |
