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Menelaus

People

âš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Menelaus was a Hellenistic Jewish high priest who usurped the office from Onias III during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He was eventually put to death by being flung from a tower into ashes.

What is the meaning of Menelaus in the Bible?

Menelaus was a Hellenistic Jewish high priest who usurped the office from Onias III during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He was eventually put to death by being flung from a tower into ashes.

SIGNIFICANCE

Menelaus' actions had significant consequences for the Jewish people, leading to further persecution and violence under Antiochus Epiphanes.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Menelaus reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Menelaus in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Menelaus clarify?

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.

How to Cite This Entry

"Menelaus." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/menelaus/
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