Bacchus
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Bacchus was the Roman god of wine and viticulture, identified with the Greek Dionysus, whose cult involved ecstatic rituals, music, and the consumption of wine, often viewed by Roman moralists as a threat to social order.
What is the meaning of Bacchus in the Bible?
Bacchus was the Roman god of wine and viticulture, identified with the Greek Dionysus, whose cult involved ecstatic rituals, music, and the consumption of wine, often viewed by Roman moralists as a threat to social order.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Bacchus clarifies the cultural and religious tensions in the Hellenistic world, particularly regarding the Maccabean revolt where Seleucid rulers attempted to impose Greek religious practices, including the worship of Dionysus, on the Jewish population.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Bacchus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bacchus clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.