Olympius
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The epithet Olympius designates Jupiter or Zeus in relation to their mythical court on Mount Olympus in Thessaly. Antiochus IV Epiphanes dedicated the Jerusalem temple to Jupiter Olympius, a decree that provoked significant offense within the Jewish community.
What is the meaning of Olympius in the Bible?
The epithet Olympius designates Jupiter or Zeus in relation to their mythical court on Mount Olympus in Thessaly. Antiochus IV Epiphanes dedicated the Jerusalem temple to Jupiter Olympius, a decree that provoked significant offense within the Jewish community.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this epithet clarifies the specific nature of the religious imposition during the Maccabean crisis, illustrating how the desecration of the temple was framed through the lens of Hellenistic divine kingship to maximize cultural conflict.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Olympius in this passage?
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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.