Phylarch
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A phylarch was a tribal leader or commander of an irregular auxiliary force, a role specifically identified in 2 Maccabees 8:32 within the military forces of Timotheus.
What is the meaning of Phylarch in the Bible?
A phylarch was a tribal leader or commander of an irregular auxiliary force, a role specifically identified in 2 Maccabees 8:32 within the military forces of Timotheus.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the function of a phylarch clarifies the organizational structure of the irregular troops described in the Maccabean narratives, providing deeper insight into the military dynamics of the period.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Phylarch in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Phylarch 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.