Eleutherus
Eleutherus
(, free; see Simonis, Onom. page 58), a river of Syria mentioned in 1Ma 11:7; 1Ma 12:30. In early ages it was a noted border stream (Pliny, 5:17; 9:12; Ptolemy, 5:15, 4). According to Strabo, it separated Syria from Phoenicia (16:753), and formed the northern limit of Coele-Syria. Josephus informs us that Antony gave Cleopatra “the cities that were within the river Eleutherus, as far as Egypt, except Tyre and Sidon” (Ant. 15:4, 1; War, 1:18, 5). A careful examination of the passages in Num 34:8-10, and Eze 47:15-17, and a comparison of them with the features of the country, lead Mr. Porter to the conclusion that this river also formed in part the northern border of the ” Promised Land” (Five Years in Damascus, 2:354 sq.). Pliny says that at a certain season of the year it swarmed with tortoise (9:10). Of the identity of the Eleutherus with the modern aihr el-Kebir, “Great River,” there cannot be a doubt. Its highest source is at the northeastern base of Lebanon; it sweeps round the northern end of the range, through the opening called in Scripture “the entrance of Hamath” (Num 34:8), and, after receiving several small tributaries from the heights of Lebanon, it falls into the Mediterranean about eighteen miles north of Tripolis. It still forms the boundary between the provinces of Akkar and elHusn. During summer and autumn it is but a small stream, easily forded, but in winter it swells into a large and rapid river (Maundrell, p. 33; Burckhardt, page 270; Paulus, Samml. 1:35, 303).
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Eleutherus (2)
or Eleutherius, a native of Nicopolis, elected bishop of Rome after the death of Soter, May 3, 177. He is previously (168) mentioned as a deacon of bishop Anicetus of Rome. He opposed with much zeal the errors of the Valentinians during his tenure of office. Two events are reported to have rendered his pontificate memorable: the glorious death of the martyrs of Lyons and Vienne (Eusebius, Hist. Ecc 5:4), and an embassy from Lucius, king of Great Britain, to demand a missionary to teach the Britons the Christian religion (Bede, Hist. Eccl. 3:25; Collier, Eccl. Hist. 1:35). The churches of Lyons and Vienne sent to him the acts of those of their members who had Just suffered martyrdom. Their messenger was the; presbyter Irenaeus, subsequently celebrated as one of the pillars of the Church in Gaul. As the letter of these churches to Eleutheo us warns against the Montanists, some have inferred, though without being supported by any other proof, that Eleutherus was an adherent of the Montanist sect. The legend about the embassy of king Lucius, and the subsequent mission of two Roman missionaries to England, is doubted by many historians. Eleutherus died A.D. 192. He is commemorated in the Church of Rome as a saint on the 26th of May. See Mosheim, Comment. 1:273; Neander, Planting and Training, 2:518; Smith. Religion of Ancient Britain, pages 121, 122; Herzog, Real-Encykl. in, 753. (A.J.S.)
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Eleutherus (3)
martyr at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, perhaps under Hadrian, commemorated September 27.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Eleutherus
ELEUTHERUS (1Ma 11:7; 1Ma 12:30).A river which separated Syria and Phnicia, and appears to be the mod. Nahr el-Kebr or Great River, which divides the Lebanon in two north of Tripoli.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Eleutherus
e-luther-us (, Eleutheros; 1 Macc 11:7; 12:30): A river separating Syria and Phoenicia.