Geron
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The term Geron refers to an elderly Athenian man described in 2 Maccabees 6:1 who was compelled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to consume pork and engage in Dionysian rituals under penalty of death.
What is the meaning of Geron in the Bible?
The term Geron refers to an elderly Athenian man described in 2 Maccabees 6:1 who was compelled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to consume pork and engage in Dionysian rituals under penalty of death.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the figure of the Geron clarifies the extreme measures Antiochus IV employed to enforce Hellenistic religious practices, thereby highlighting the intense personal sacrifice required of Jews who resisted these imperial decrees.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.