Demetrius
DEMETRIUS
1. A goldsmith of Ephesus, who made models of the famous temple of Diana at Ephesus, which he sold to foreigners, Mal 19:24-4 . Observing the progress of the gospel, not in Ephesus only, but in the regions around, he assembled his fellow-craftsmen, and represented that, by this new doctrine, not only their trade would suffer, but the worship of the great Diana of Ephesus was in danger of being entirely forsaken. This produced an uproar and riot in the city, which the town clerk with difficulty appeased by firmness and persuasion.2. A disciple, and probably a minister, of high repute, 3Jo 1:12 . He may have been formerly the silversmith of Ephesus; but this can be neither proved nor disproved.
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Demetrius
There are two, if not three, persons of this name mentioned in the NT-a fact which is not surprising, considering how very common the name was in the Greek world.
1. Demetrius, the silversmith of Ephesus (Acts 19). A business man, profoundly interested in the success of his business, Demetrius was a manufacturer of various objects in silver, of which the most profitable were small silver models of the shrine of the Ephesian goddess Artemis (see Diana). These models were purchased by the rich, dedicated to the goddess, and hung up within her temple. The preaching of St. Paul was so powerful that devotion to the goddess became less prevalent, the demand for such offerings was reduced, and Demetrius felt his livelihood in danger. He called a meeting of the gild of his handicraft to decide on a means for coping with the new situation. The meeting ended in a public disturbance. Nothing is known of the later life of Demetrius.
2. Demetrius, an important member of the church referred to in the Second and Third Epistles of St. John. It is impossible to identify the church with certainty, but there can be little doubt that it was in the province of Asia. The presbyter-overseer of the church is absent, and in his absence Gaius and Demetrius act in the truest interest of the members. Demetrius good conduct (3Jn 1:12) is attested by all.
3. The full name of Demas (Col 4:14, 2Ti 4:10, Phm 1:24) may very well have been Demetrius (possibly Demodorus, Demodotus); see Demas.
Literature.-See W. M. Ramsays lifelike picture of the scene at Ephesus in his St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen, London, 1895, p. 277ff. The best list of pet-names is found in A. N. Jannaris, An Historical Greek Grammar, do. 1897, 287.
A. Souter.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Demetrius
A pagan silversmith who made shrines for Diana at Ephesus , and opposed Saint Paul (Acts, 19).
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Demetrius (2)
A friend of Saint John, and possibly the bearer of his third epistle.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Demetrius
The name of two Syrian kings mentioned in the Old Testament and two other persons in the New Testament.
1. Demetrius Soter (“Saviour”)
So called because he saved the Babylonians from the tyranny of the satrap Heraclides, reigned from 162 to 150 B.C. He was the son of Seleucus Phlopator, and spent his early years as a hostage in Rome, petitioning the Senate in vain for permission to return to his country. With the assistance, however, of his friend, the historian Polybius, he escaped to Tripolis in Phoenicia, formed a party, murdered Antiochus V, his cousin, with Lysias, the chancellor, ascended the throne of the Seleucidae, and was acknowledged by Rome. A Jewish party, dissatisfied with Judas Machabeus, invited Demetrius to interfere in their favour. Demetrius appointed Alcimus as high-priest and sent his general Bacchides with an army in his support. Soon after, as Alcimus’ position seemed secure, Bacchides left. As Judas, however, grew stronger, Alcimus again appealed for help. Demetrius sent as general Nicanor, who first tried to capture Judas by strategy, but then met him at Kapharsalama and lost the battle. Nicanor entered Jerusalem, vented his wrath on the priests, and threatened to destroy the Temple. Judas met Nicanor again at Beth-Horon and utterly routed his army. Nicanor fell in the battle (161 B.C.). Two months later Demetrius, for the third time, sent a Syrian army into Palestine under Bacchides, who defeated and slew Judas in the battle of Berea, garrisoned some Jewish towns, and returned. A Syrian army entered Palestine under the same Bacchides for the fourth time in 158 B.C., but the Machabean party had recovered its strength, and a treaty ended the campaign. Meanwhile a pretender had arisen to the Syrian throne in the person of Alexander Balas. Both Demetrius and Alexander were anxious to gain the support of the Jews. Alexander offered to Jonathan Machabeus the purple and a diadem, which he accepted in 153 B.C. Demetrius subsequently offered still greater privileges to the Jews and their leader, but the Jews remained faithful to Alexander. In 150 B.C. Alexander and his allies defeated Demetrius, “who valiantly fought with undaunted courage in the thick of the battle and was slain”. (1 Maccabees 7:9-10; 2 Maccabees 14:15; Justin, XXXV, i.)
2. Demetrius Nikator (“Conqueror”)
Son of the above, succeeded four years after the death of his father in gaining the Syrian throne. Jonathan Machabeus, remaining faithful to Alexander unto the end, had opposed the succession of Demetrius II. Demetrius’ viceroy, Apollonius, who ruled over Coelesyria, held Joppe and Ashdod for his king, but was driven out and defeated by Jonathan, who destroyed Ashdod and brought a rich booty to Jerusalem. Jonathan tried to throw off the Syurian yoke altogether and besieged the fortress of Jerusalem. Demetrius first cited Jonathan to Ptolemais to answer for his rebellion, relying upon a pro-Syrian party among the Jews; but Jonathan boldly continued the siege of Jerusalem and then, nothing daunted, faced Demetrius at Ptolemais. He demanded an extension of territory and several privileges for the Jews, and supported his demand by costly gifts. Demetrius did not dare to refuse, but agreed to the addition of three Samaritan districts, Ephraim, Lydda, and Ramathaim, to Judea; he freed this extension of Judea from all taxes and confirmed Jonathan in all his dignities. Demetrius had thus escaped further danger from his Jewish vassal but soon after had to encounter Trypho, a former general of Alexander Balas. This man proclaimed Alexander’s son Antiochus VI king, though as yet only a boy, and the threatening attitude of the people of Antioch brought the throne of Demetrius II into imminent danger. In his distress he appealed to Jonathan, who sent 3000 men to quell the insurrection at Antioch. Demetrius promised to hand over Jerusalem and some other fortresses of Judea to Jonathan. Jonathan stamped out the revolution at Antioch, but Demetrius did not fulfil his promise. Shortly after, Trypho and Antiochus the Pretender captured Antioch and sought the assistance of Jonathan. As Demetrius II had proved himself faithless, Jonathan left his side and went over to Trypho. In consequence Demetrius gathered an army against Jonathan, to punish his defection, but never risked a battle. Then Trypho had murdered Antiochus VI, Jonathan returned to Demetrius’ allegiance. Trypho was finally defeated by the brother of Demetrius, but Demetrius was mad prisoner in a campaign against the Parthians, in whose hands he remained for ten years, the daughter of whose king Mithridates he received in marriage and by whom, under Phraates, he was restored to the Syrian throne after defeating his brother Antiochus Sidetes. He was then persuaded to attack the King of Egypt, Ptolemy Physcon. This caused the rise of another Syrian pretender, Alexander Zabinas, who defeated Demetrius near Damascus. Demetrius fled to Tyre, and on landing was there assassinated in 128 B.C. His wife Cleopatra is said to have been privy to the crime. (1 Maccabees 13:41; 10:67; 14:3)
3. Demetrius of Acts 19:24
Acts 19:24 mentions Demetrius, a silversmith (argyrokopos), who made silver shrines for Diana at Ephesus. These shrines (naous; in D.V. “temples”) were probably little silver models either of the temple or of the actual shrine (sacellum) in which the idol was placed, and were used as amulets or objects of piety and souvenirs carried away by thousands of pagan pilgrims. Finding his trade diminished through the spread of Christianity and the decline of heathen worship, he and his fellow-craftsmen caused the uproar against St. Paul as narrated in Acts, loc. cit.
4. Demetrius of III John 5:12
St. John the Apostle, in his Third Epistle (v. 12), praises Demetrius to whom “testimony is given by all, and by the truth itself” and apparently opposes him to Diotrephes, who did not receive St. John, and cast out of the Church those that did (verses 9, 10). Nothing more is known of him. Possibly he was the bearer of the letter.
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For Demetrius Soter, see JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, XII, x; XIII, ii; Histories, III, v; XXXI, xii, xix; XXXII, iv; XXXIII, xiv sqql; JUSTIN, Hist. Phil. Lib. XXXIX, i; APPIAN, Syriaca, lxviii. SCHURER, Geschichte des jud. Volk. (4th ed., Leipzig, 1901), I, 216-48; MILMAN, History of the Jews, X, The Asmoneans.
J.P. ARENDZEN Transcribed by Marcia L. Bellafiore
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume IVCopyright © 1908 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, CensorImprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York
Fuente: Catholic Encyclopedia
Demetrius
(, probably from , the Greek name of the goddess Cybele), the name originally of several of Alexander’s generals (see Smith’s Dict. of Class. Biog. s.v.), and borne by several of the Macedonian and Syrian princes, two of whom are often referred to in the Apocrypha, and three in Josephus; also by two men mentioned in the New Test., and by several others in Josephus. 1. DEMETRIUS I, surnamed SOTER (, the Savior, in recognition of his services to the Babylonians), king of Syria, was the son of Seleucus IV Philopator, and grandson of Antiochus the Great. While still a boy he was sent by his father as a hostage to Rome (B.C. 175) in exchange for his uncle, Antiochus Epiphanes (Appian, Syr. 45). From his position he was unable to offer any opposition to the usurpation of the Syrian throne by Antiochus IV; but on the death of that monarch (B.C. 164) he claimed his liberty, and the recognition of his claim by: the Roman senate in preference to that of his cousin Antiochus V. His petition was refused from selfish policy (Polyb. 31:12), and by the advice and assistance of Polybius, whose friendship he had gained at Rome (Polyb. 31:19; Justin, 34:3), he left Italy secretly, and landed with a small force at Tripolis, in Phoenicia (2Ma 14:1; 1Ma 7:1; Josephus, Ant. 12:1). The Syrians soon declared in his favor (B.C. 162), and Antiochus and his protector Lysias were put to death (1Ma 7:2-3; 2Ma 14:2). Having thus gained possession of the kingdom, Demetrius succeeded in securing the favor of the Romans (Polyb. 32:4), and he turned his attention to the internal organization of his dominions. The Graecizing party were still powerful at Jerusalem, and he supported them by arms. In the first campaign his general Bacchides established Alcimus in the highpriesthood (1Ma 7:5-20); but the success was not permanent. Alcimus was forced to take refuge a second time at the court of Demetrius, and Nicanor, who was commissioned to restore him, was defeated in two successive engagements by Judas Maccabseus (1Ma 7:31-32; 1Ma 7:43-45), and fell on the field (see Michaelis on 1Ma 7:32, against Wernsdorf, De fide Maccab. p. 124 sq.; also Joseph. Ant. 12:10, 2). Two other campaigns were undertaken against the Jews by Bacchides (B.C. 161-158); but in the mean time Judas had completed a treaty with the Romans shortly before his death (B.C. 161), who forbade Demetrius to oppress the Jews (1Ma 8:31). Not long afterwards Demetrius further incurred the displeasure of the Romans by the expulsion of Ariarathes from Cappadocia (Polyb. 31:20; Justin, 35:1), and he alienated the affection of his own subjects by his private excesses (Justin, 1. c.; comp. Polyb. 33:14). When his power was thus shaken (B.C. 152), Alexander Balas was brought forward, with the consent of the Roman senate, as a claimant to the throne, with the powerful support of Ptolemy Philometor, Attalus, and Ariarathes. Demetrius vainly endeavored to secure the services of Jonathan, who had succeeded his brother Judas as leader of the Jews, and now, from the recollection of his wrongs, warmly favored the cause of Alexander (1Ma 10:1-6). The rivals met in a decisive engagement (B.C. 150), and Demetrius, after displaying the greatest personal bravery, was defeated and slain (1Ma 10:48-50; Joseph. Ant. 13:2, 4; Polyb. 3, 5). In addition to the very interesting fragments of Polybius, the following references may be consulted: Justin, 34:335:1; Appian, Syr. 46, 47, 67; Livy, Epit. 47; Euseb. Ann. Chron. p. 165. He left two sons, Demetrius, surnamed Nicator, and Antiochus, called Sidetes, both of whom subsequently ascended the throne. SEE ANTIOCHUS.
2. DEMETRIUS II, surnamed NICATOR’ (Niktwr, the Victor; so on coins, Eckhel, 3, 229 sq.; elsewhere NICANOR), king of Syria, was the elder son of Demetrius Soter, preceding. He was sent by his father, together with his brother Antiochus, with a large treasure, to Cnidus (Justin, 35:2), when Alexander Balas laid claim to the throne of Syria, and thus escaped falling into the hands of that usurper. When he was grown up, the weakness and vices of Alexander furnished him with an opportunity of recovering his father’s dominions. Accompanied by a force of Cretan mercenaries (Justin, 1. c.; comp. 1Ma 10:67), and aided by Ptolemy Philometor (1Ma 11:19; Diod. Sic. Ecl. 32:1), whose daughter Cleopatra was promised to him, he made a descent on Syria (B.C. 148 or 147), and was received with general favor (1Ma 10:67 sq.). Jonathan, however, still supported the cause of Alexander, and defeated Apoilonius, whom Demetrius had appointed governor of Coele-Syria (1Ma 10:74-82). In spite of these hostilities, Jona than succeeded in gaining the favor of Demetrius when he was established in the kingdom (1Ma 11:23-27), and obtained from him an advantageous commutation of the royal dues and other concessions (1Ma 11:32-37). In return for these favors the Jews rendered important services to Demetrius when Tryphon first claimed the kingdom for Antiochus VI, the son of Alexander (1Ma 11:42); but afterwards, being offended by his faithless ingratitude (1Ma 11:53), they espoused the cause of the young pretender. In the campaign which followed, Jonathan defeated the forces of Demetrius (B.C. 144; 1Ma 12:28); but the treachery to which Jonathan fell a victim (B.C. 143) again altered the policy of the Jews. Simon, the successor of Jonathan, obtained very favorable terms from Demetrius (B.C. 142); but shortly afterwards Demetrius was himself taken prisoner (B.C. 138) by Arsaces (q.v.) VI (Mithridates), king of Parthia, whose dominions he had invaded (1Ma 14:1-3; Justin, 36; Joseph. Ant. 13:5; Livy, Epit. 52). Appian and Justin place this captivity of Demetrius before the revolt of Tryphon, but the order of the narrative in the book of Maccabees is most probable (notwithstanding Wernsdorf, De fide Maccab. p. 137 sq.). Mithridates treated his captive honorably, and gave him his daughter Rhodoguna in marriage (Appian, Syr. 67); and after his death, though Demetrius made several attempts to escape, he still received kind treatment from his successor, Phraates. When Antiochus Sidetes, who had gained possession of the Syrian throne, invaded Parthia, Phraates employed Demetrius to effect a diversion. In this Demetrius succeeded, and when Antiochus fell in battle he again took possession of the Syrian crown (B.C. 128). Not long afterwards a pretender, supported by Ptolemy Physcon appeared in the field against him, and after suffering a defeat he was assassinated, according to some by his wife Cleopatra (Appian, Syr. 68), while attempting to escape by sea (Justin, 39:1: Joseph. Ant. 13:9. 3). SEE CLEOPATRA.
3. DEMETRIUS III, surnamed EUCAERUS (, i.e. the Opportune); on coins THEOS PHILOPATOR and SOTER (Eckhel, 3, 245, 246), king of Syria, was the fourth son of Antiochus Grypus, and grandson of Demetrius II. During the civil wars that followed the death of his father, he was set up as king of Damascus, or Coele-Syria, by the aid of Ptolemy Lathyrus, king of Cyprus; and after the death of Antiochus Eusebes, he and his brother Philip for a time held the whole of Syria (Josephus, Ant. 13:13, 4). His assistance was invoked by the Jews against the tyranny of Alexander Jannaeus (q.v.); but, though he defeated this prince in battle, he did not follow up the victory, but withdrew to Bercea. War immediately broke out between him and his brother Philip; and Strator, the governor of Bercea, who supported Philip, having obtained assistance from the Arabians and Parthians, blockaded Demetrius in his camp, until he was compelled by famine to surrender at discretion. He was sent as a prisoner to Mithridates (Arsaces IX), king of Parthia, who detained him in an honorable captivity till his death (Josephus, Ant. 13:14). His coins bear date from 218 to 224 AEr. Seleucid., i e. B.C. 9488. SEE SYRIA.
4. Surnamed PHALEREUS ( , the Phaleriin), the zealous keeper of the Alexandrian library under Ptolemy Philadelphus, who at his suggestion undertook the Septuagint (q.v.) version, and secured the benefit of the criticism of the resident Jews upon the translation (Josephus, Ant. 12:2, 1, 4,13). See Ostermann, De Dem. Phal. vita, rebus gestis et scriptorum reliquiis (pt. 1, Hersfeld, 1847, 4to).
5. A freed-man of Pompey, who rebuilt, at his request, the city of Gadara, of which he was a native (Josephus, Ant. 14:4, 4).
6. An Alexandrian Jew and alabarch, who married Marianne (formerly the wife of Archelaus), by whom she had a son Agrippinus (Josephus, Ant. 20:7, 3).
7. A silversmith at Ephesus, who, being alarmed at the progress of the Gospel under the preaching of Paul, assembled his fellow-craftsmen, and excited a tumult by haranguing them on the danger that threatened the worship of the great goddess Diana, and consequently their own craft as silversmiths. A.D. 52. Their employment was to make silver shrines for Diana (Act 19:24); and it is now generally agreed that these shrines () were silver models of the temple, or of its adytum or chapel, in which perhaps a little image of the goddess was placed. These, it seems, were purchased by foreigners, who either could not perform their devotions at the temple itself, or who, after having done so, carried them away as memorials, or for purposes of worship, or as charms. The continual resort of foreigners to Ephesus from all parts, on account of the singular veneration in which the image of the goddess was held, must have rendered this manufacture very profitable, and sufficiently explains the anxiety of Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen. See DIANA.
8. A Christian, mentioned with commendation in 3Jn 1:12. A.D. cir. 90. From the connection of the apostle John with Ephesus at the time the epistle was written, some have supposed that this Demetrius is the same as the preceding, and that he had been converted to Christianity. But this is a mere conjecture, rendered the more uncertain by the commonness of the name.
Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, is said to have succeeded Julian in that see A.D. 189 (Eusebius, II. E, v. 22). He was at first the friend of Origen, and committed the instructions in the school of Alexandria entirely to him (Eusebius 6:3); but he afterwards, overcome by human infirmity (Euseb. 6:8) seems to have become envious of Origen, and his enemy. When Origen (A.D. 228) was ordained presbyter at Caesarea, Demetrius excluded him from the Churchan act which was not recognized by the churches generally. Demetrius died about 248. Mosheim, Commentaries, cent. 3, 30. SEE ORIGEN.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Demetrius (2)
(1) A martyr at Thessalonica, A.D. 296; commemorated October 8 or October 26.
(2) Bishop and martyr at Antioch with Anianus, Eutosius, and twenty others; commemorated November 10.
(3) Saint; commemorated December 22, with Honoratus and Florus.
(4) Patriarch of Alexandria, A.D. 231; commemorated March 8 and October 9.
(5) Demetrius and Basilius; commemorated November 12.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Demetrius
(1.) A silversmith at Ephesus, whose chief occupation was to make “silver shrines for Diana” (q.v.), Acts 19:24,i.e., models either of the temple of Diana or of the statue of the goddess. This trade brought to him and his fellow-craftsmen “no small gain,” for these shrines found a ready sale among the countless thousands who came to this temple from all parts of Asia Minor. This traffic was greatly endangered by the progress of the gospel, and hence Demetrius excited the tradesmen employed in the manufacture of these shrines, and caused so great a tumult that “the whole city was filled with confusion.”
(2.) A Christian who is spoken of as having “a good report of all men, and of the truth itself” (3 John 1:12).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Demetrius
1. A maker of silver portable models of the great temple and statue of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus (Act 19:24). They were kept as amulets against danger. Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen, in fear for their gains, raised a tumult against Paul as saying “they be no gods which are made with hands.” Like many men he made regard for religion his plea, while really having an eye to self; “not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.” A religious party cry is sure to rouse many who care little at heart about piety. It shows how soon Christianity, notwithstanding its seeming weakness, was felt as a mighty power threatening pagandom with all its then greatness.
2. A Christian “having good report of all men, and of the truth itself,” and of John (3Jo 1:12). The gospel standard of truth witnessed his conformity to it in love and good works; a transparently real Christian.
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Demetrius
DEMETRIUS.1. Soter, the son of Seleucus Philopator. In his boyhood he was sent (b.c. 175) to Rome as a hostage, but made his escape after the death of his uncie, Antiochus Epiphanes. Landing at Tripolis, he was joined by large bodies of the people, and even by the bodyguard of his cousin, Antiochus Eupator. Eupator was soon defeated and put to death, and in b.c. 162, Demetrius was proclaimed king (1Ma 7:1-4, 2Ma 14:1-2; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XII. x. 1). After seven years, Alexander Balas (wh. see) was set up as a claimant to the crown of Syria (b.c. 153); and he and Demetrius competed for the support of Jonathan (1Ma 10:1-21; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. ii. 13). Balas prevailed in spite of the attempts of his rival to outbid him (1Ma 10:25-45). In b.c. 150 a decisive engagement took place, in which Demetrius was defeated and slain (1Ma 10:48-50; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. ii. 4).
2. Nikator, sent by his father, D. Soter, for safety to Chidus after the success of Balas seemed probable. After several years of exile he landed (b.c. 147) with an army of Cretan mercenaries on the Cilician coast, and finally inflicted a fatal defeat upon Balas (b.c. 145) on the banks of the noparas, from which event Demetrius derived his surname (1Ma 11:14-19; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. iv. 8). He bought off the opposition of Jonathan by the addition of three Samaritan provinces to Juda, and the exemption from tribute of the country thus enlarged (1Ma 11:20-37; Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. iv. 9). After varying fortunes in the war with Tryphon (wh. see), Demetrius invaded the dominions of the king of Parthia, by whom, in b.c. 138, he was taken prisoner (1Ma 14:1-3). Upon regaining his liberty at the end of ten years, he undertook a war against Ptolemy Physkon of Egypt. Having been defeated by Zabinas at Damascus, he fled to Ptolemais, and thence to Tyre, where in b.c. 125 he was murdered (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. ix. 3), possibly at the instigation of his wife Cleopatra (App. Syr. 68; Liv. Epit. lx.).
3. Eukairos, grandson of D. Nikator. On the death of his father he established himself in Cle-Syria, with Damascus as his capital (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. xiii. 4). When civil war broke out between Alexander Jannus and his Pharisee subjects, the latter invited the assistance of Demetrius (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. xiii. 5, BJ I. iv. 4), who defeated Jannus in a pitched battle near Shecbem (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. xiv. 1, BJ I. iv. 5). After a chequered career, Demetrius fell into the hands of the Parthians, by whom he was detained in captivity until his death (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIII. xiv. 3).
4, 5. Two persons of the name are mentioned in NTthe ringleader in the riot at Ephesus (Act 19:24), and a disciple commended by St. John (3Jn 1:12). Probably the same name occurs in a contracted form as Demas.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Demetrius (1)
de-metri-us (, Demetrios, of or belonging to Demeter, an ordinary name in Greece):
(1) Demetrius I, surnamed , Soter (saviour), was the son of Seleucus IV (Philopator). He was sent as a boy to Rome, by his father, to serve as a hostage, and remained there quietly during his father’s life. He was detained also during the reign of his uncle, ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES (which see) from 175 to 164 bc; but when Antiochus died Demetrius, who was now a young man of 23 (Polyb. xxxi.12), chafed at a longer detention, particularly as his cousin, Antiochus Eupator, a boy of 9, succeeded to the kingdom with Lysias as his guardian. The Roman Senate, however, refused to listen to his plea for the restoration to Syria, because, as Polybius says, they felt surer of their power over Syria with a mere boy as king.
In the meantime, a quarrel had arisen between Ptolemy Philometor and Euergetes Physkon (Livy Epit. 46; Diod. Sic. fr xi), and Gnaeus Octavius, who had been sent to quell the disorder, was assassinated in Syria, while plundering the country. Demetrius, taking advantage of the troubled condition of affairs, consulted with his friend Polybius as to the advisability of attempting to seize the throne of Syria (op. cit. xxxi. 19). The historian advised him not to stumble twice on the same stone, but to venture something worthy of a king, so after a second unsuccessful appeal to the Senate, Demetrius escaped to Tripolis, and from there advanced to Antioch where he was proclaimed king (162 bc). His first act was to put to death young Antiochus, his cousin, and his minister Lysias (Appian, Syriac., c. 47; Ant, XII, x, 1; 1 Macc 7:1-4; 2 Macc 14:1, 2).
As soon as he was established in power, Demetrius made an attempt to placate the Romans by sending them valuable gifts as well as the assassin of Gn. Octavius (Polyb. xxi.23); and he then tried to secure the Hellenizing party by sending his friend BACCHIDES (which see) to make the wicked Alcimus high priest. After a violent struggle and much treachery on the part of Bacchides (Ant., XII, x, 2), the latter left the country, having charged all the people to obey Alcimus, who was protected by an army.
The Jews under Judas resented his presence, and Judas inflicted severe punishment on all who had gone over to Alcimus (1 Macc 7:24). Alcimus, in fear, sent a message for aid to Demetrius, who sent to his assistance Nicanor, the best disposed and most faithful of his friends, who had accompanied him in his flight from Rome (Ant., XII, x, 4). On his arrival in Judea, he attempted to win by guile, but Judas saw through his treachery, and Nicanor was forced to fight openly, suffering two signal defeats, the first at Capharsalama (1 Macc 7:31, 32), and the second (in which Nicanor himself was killed), at Adasa (1 Macc 7:39ff; 2 Macc 15:26ff).
In a short while, however, Demetrius, hearing of the death of Nicanor, sent Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea again (1 Macc 9:1). Judas arose against them with an army of 3,000 men, but when these saw that 20,000 opposed them, the greater part of them deserted, and Judas, with an army of 800, lost his life, like another Leonidas, on the field of battle (1 Macc 9:4, 6, 18). Then Bacchides took the wicked men and made them lords of the country (1 Macc 9:25); while Jonathan, who was appointed successor to Judas, fled with his friends (1 Macc 9:29ff).
During the next seven years, Demetrius succeeded in alienating both the Romans (Polyb. xxxii.20) and his own people, and ALEXANDER BALAS (which see) was put forward as a claimant to the throne, his supporters maintaining that he was the son of Antiochus Epiphanes (1 Macc 10:1-21; Ant, XIII, ii, 1-3). Both Alexander and Demetrius made bids for the support of the Jews, the former offering the high-priesthood and the title of King’s Friend (1 Macc 10:20), and the latter freedom from taxes, tributes and customs (1 Macc 10:28ff). Alexander’s bait proved more alluring, since the Jews gave no credence to the words of Demetrius, and with the aid of the Maccabees, he vied with Demetrius for the space of two years for the complete sovereignty of Syria. At the end of this time, a decisive battle took place, in which Demetrius was slain, and Alexander became king of Syria (150 bc) (1 Macc 10:48-50; Ant, XIII, ii, 4; Polyb. iii.5; see also MACCABEES).
(2) Demetrius II, surnamed , Nikator (conqueror), was the son of Demetrius Soter. When Balas was warring with Demetrius I, he sent his son to a place of safety in Crete. Three years after his father’s death (147 bc), the unpopularity of Alexander gave the young man an opportunity to return and seize the government. He landed in Cilicia with Cretan mercenaries and secured the support of all Syria with the exception of Judea (1 Macc 10:67ff). Apollonius, his general, the governor of Coele-Syria, who essayed the conquest of the Jews, was defeated at Azotus with great loss.
Ptolemy Philometor, whose daughter was the wife of Alexander Balas, now entered into the struggle, and taking Cleopatra, his daughter, from Alexander, he gave her to Demetrius (1 Macc 11:12). He then joined Demetrius’ army and the combined forces inflicted a defeat on Balas (145 bc), and from this Demetrius received his surname Nikator (Ant., XIII, iv, 8; 1 Macc 11:14ff).
Jonathan now concluded a favorable treaty with Demetrius, whereby three Samaritan provinces were added to Judea and the whole country was made exempt from tax (1 Macc 11:20-37; Ant, XIII, iv, 9). Demetrius then dismissed his army except the foreigners, thinking himself safe with the loyalty of the Jews assured. In the meantime, Tryphon, one of Balas’ generals, set up the son of Alexander, Antiochus, as a claimant to the throne, and secured the assistance of the discarded army of Demetrius. Jonathan’s aid was sought and he quelled the rebellion, on condition that the Syrian garrison be removed from Jerusalem (1 Macc 11:41-52; Ant, XIII, v, 2-3).
The king, however, falsified all that he had said, and kept none of his promises, so the Jews, deserting him, took sides with Tryphon and supported the claims of the boy Antiochus (1 Macc 11:53-59; Ant, XIII, v, 5-11 ). Demetrius’ generals then entered Syria but were defeated by Jonathan at Hazor (1 Macc 11:63-74), and by skillful generalship he made futile a second attempt at invasion (1 Macc 12:24ff).
Tryphon, who was now master of Syria, broke faith with Jonathan (1 Macc 12:40) and essayed the conquest of Judea. Jonathan was killed by treachery, and Simon, his successor, made proposals of peace to Demetrius, who agreed to let bygones be bygones (1 Macc 13:36-40; Ant, XIII, vi, 7). Demetrius then left Simon to carry on the war, and set out to Parthia, ostensibly to secure the assistance of the king, Mithridates, against Tryphon (1 Macc 14:1). Here he was captured and imprisoned (Rom 14:3; Ant, XIII, v, 11; Josephus, however, puts this event in 140 rather than 138 bc).
After an imprisonment of ten years, he was released and resumed the sovereignty 128 bc, but becoming involved in a quarrel with Ptolemy Physkon, he was defeated in battle at Damascus. From this place, he fled to Tyre, where he was murdered in 125 bc, according to some, at the instigation of Cleopatra, his wife (Josephus, Ant, XIII, ix, 3).
(3) Demetrius III, , Eukairos (the fortunate), was the son of Antiochus Grypus, and grandson of Demetrius Nikator. When his father died, civil war arose, in which his two elder brothers lost their lives, while Philip, the third brother, secured part of Syria as his domain. Demetrius then took up his abode in Coele-Syria with Damascus as his capital (Ant., XIII, xiii, 4; BJ, I, iv, 4).
War now broke out in Judea between Alexander Janneus and his Pharisee subjects, who invited Demetrius to aid them. Thinking this a good opportunity to extend his realm, he joined the insurgent Jews and together they defeated Janneus near Shechem (Ant., XIII, xiv, 1; BJ, 1, iv, 5).
The Jews then deserted Demetrius, and he withdrew to Berea, which was in the possession of his brother Philip. Demetrius besieged him, and Philip summoned the Parthians to his assistance. The tables were turned, and Demetrius, besieged in his camp and starved into submission, was taken prisoner and sent to Arsaces, who held him captive until his death (Ant., XIII, xiv, 3). The dates of his reign are not certain.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Demetrius (2)
de-metri-us (, Demetrios, belonging to Ceres): The name of two persons:
(1) A Christian disciple praised by John (3Jo 1:12).
(2) A silversmith of Ephesus who manufactured the little silver shrines of the goddess Diana to sell to the visiting pilgrims (Act 19:23). Because the teachings of Paul were injuring the trade of the silversmiths, there arose a riot of which Demetrius was the chief. Upon an inscription which Mr. Wood discovered among the ruins of the city, there appeared the name Demetrius, a warden of the Ephesian temple for the year 57 ad, and some authors believe the temple warden to be identical with the ringleader of the rebellion. The name, however, has been most common among the Greeks of every age. Because of its frequent use it cannot be supposed that Demetrius, the disciple of 3Jo 1:12, was the silversmith of Ephesus, nor that Demas of 2Ti 4:10, who bore the name in a contracted form, may be identified with him.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Demetrius
Demetrius, a man’s name, denoting a votary of Ceres, and very common among the Greeks. The persons of this name mentioned in the history of the Maccabees, and in the New Testament, are
Demetrius Soter, 1
Demetrius Soter, king of Syria. He was son of Seleucus IV, surnamed Philopator; but, being an hostage at Rome at the time of his father’s death, his uncle, the notorious Antiochus Epiphanes, assumed the crown of Syria, and retained it eleven years. After him it was held two years by his son Antiochus Eupator, who was put to death in B.C. 162 by Demetrius, who then arrived in Syria and secured the royal heritage from which he had so long been excluded. He reigned twelve years, B.C. 102-150. The points in which his history connects him with the Jews are alone of interest in this work, and these points belong to the history of the Maccabees [see article MACCABEES]. To his time belong the latter end of the government of Judas in Israel and the beginning of that of Jonathan. He acted oppressively and unjustly towards them; but, when a rival arose in the person of Alexander Balas, he bade so high for the support of Jonathan as to create a doubt of his sincerity; for which cause, as well as from resentment at the injuries he had inflicted on them, the Jews espoused the cause of Balas, to whose success they in no slight degree contributed [ALEXANDER BALAS, 2].
Demetrius Nicator, 2
Demetrius Nicator, or Nicanor, son of the preceding, but who was excluded from the throne till B.C. 146, by the success of Alexander Balas, and then recovered it chiefly by the assistance of his father-in-law Ptolemy Philometor. He at first treated the Jews well, but eventually gave them so much cause for dissatisfaction that they readily espoused the cause of Antiochus Theos, son of Alexander Balas. Demetrius underwent many vicissitudes, and passed several years (B.C. 141-135) in captivity among the Parthians, from which he eventually returned and recovered his throne, which he continued to occupy till B.C. 126, when he was defeated in battle by the pretender Alexander Zebina, and afterwards slain at Tyre, whither he had fled [MACCABEES].
Demetrius, 3
Demetrius, a silversmith at Ephesus, who, being alarmed at the progress of the Gospel under the preaching of Paul, assembled his fellow-craftsmen, and excited a tumult by haranguing them on the danger that threatened the worship of the great goddess Diana, and consequently their own craft as silversmiths. Their employment was to make ‘silver shrines for Diana’ (Act 19:24); and it is now generally agreed that these ‘shrines’ were silver models of the temple, or of its adytum or chapel, in which perhaps a little image of the goddess was placed. These, it seems, were purchased by foreigners, who either could not perform their devotions at the temple itself, or who, after having done so, carried them away as memorials or for purposes of worship. The continual resort of foreigners to Ephesus from all parts, on account of the singular veneration in which the image of the goddess was held, must have rendered this manufacture very profitable, and sufficiently explains the anxiety of Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen.
Demetrius, 4
Demetrius, a Christian, mentioned with commendation in 3Jn 1:12. From the connection of St. John with Ephesus at the time the Epistle was written, some have supposed that this Demetrius is the same as the preceding, and that he had been converted to Christianity. But this is a mere conjecture, rendered the more uncertain by the commonness of the name.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Demetrius
[Deme’trius]
1. Silversmith of Ephesus, who made silver shrines of the temple. Fearing that the preaching of Paul against idolatry would lessen the gains of himself and others, he raised an uproar. Act 19:24; Act 19:38.
2. A convert who was borne witness to by all, and by the truth itself. 3Jn 1:12.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Demetrius
1. A silversmith, noted for raising a riot
Act 19:24-38
2. A Christian mentioned in 3 John 1:12
3Jn 1:12
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Demetrius
Demetrius (de-m’tri-s), belonging to Demeter or Geres. 1. A maker of silver shrinesmodels of the great templeof Diana or Artemis at Ephesus. Act 19:24. 2. A Christian mentioned with’ commendation by John. 3Jn 1:12.
Fuente: People’s Dictionary of the Bible
Demetrius
Deme’trius. (belonging to Ceres).
1. A maker of silver shrines of Artemis at Ephesus. Act 19:24. (About A.D. 52). These were small models of the great temple of the Ephesian Artemis, with her statue, which it was customary to carry on journeys, and place on houses as charms.
2. A disciple, 3Jo 1:12, mentioned with commendation, (about A.D. 90). Possibly the first Demetrius, 1, converted; but this is very doubtful.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Demetrius
Demetrius (2) succeeded Julianus A.D. 189, as 11th bp. of Alexandria (Eus. H. E. v. 22). He presided over the see for 43 years, and died a.d. 231-232 (ib. vi. 26). He appears to have been of an energetic and imperious nature. He took an active interest in the Catechetical School, and is said to have sent one of its early chiefs, Pantaenus, on a [second?] mission “to the Indians” on their own request (Hieron. de Vir. Ill. 36). After Clement had left Alexandria, he placed Origen at its head, c. 203 (Eus. H. E. vi. 5), and strenuously encouraged him to continue his work, when his indiscreet zeal had exposed him to misrepresentation (ib. vi. 8). Later (a.d. 217), he sent Origen to the Roman governor of Arabia, at the governor’s earnest invitation (ib. vi. 19). Origen fulfilled his mission satisfactorily, but not long afterwards Demetrius’s friendship for him was interrupted. [See Origen.] According to a late, and not very trustworthy, authority, Demetrius is reported to have written letters on the keeping of Easter, maintaining the view adopted at Nicaea (Eutychius, Ann. pp. 363 ff.; Migne, Patrol. vol. cxi.). Other legendary stories of his life are given in the Chronicon Orientale (pp. 72 f. ed 1685), and more briefly by Tillemont (Mmoires, Origne, art. vii. tom. iii. p. 225, ed. Bruxelles).
The statement that Demetrius first changed the singular ecclesiastical arrangement of Egypt, by appointing three bishops in addition to the bp. of Alexandria, who had formerly governed the whole province, is probably correct, though the only direct authority for it is that of Eutychius, patriarch of Alexandria, in the 10th cent. (cf. Lightfoot, Philippians, p. 230). Possibly this change was due to special views on church government, which may have influenced Demetrius in his harsh judgment on the ordination of Origen beyond the limits of his jurisdiction.
[B.F.W.]