Nicanor
NICANOR
One of the first seven deacons, who were chosen and appointed at Jerusalem soon after the Pentecostal descent of the Holy Ghost, Mal 6:1-6 .
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Nicanor
The name is Greek, but was probably prevalent in Syria, as we find one of the generals of Antiochus Epiphanes called by it (2Ma 8:9). It is more than likely, therefore, that he was a Hellenist Jew of Syria. He is mentioned as one of the Seven in Act 6:5, a man of repute among the brethren, but we hear and know no more of him.
W. A. Spooner.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Nicanor
(, victor), the name of two or three men in Scripture history.
1. The son of Patroclus (1Ma 8:9), a general under Antiochus, Epiphanes, and Demetrius I, who took a prominent part in the wars waged by the Syrians against the Jews, to whom he bore a deadly hate. Under Antiochus he had been master of the royal elephants (), but he was appointed governor of Judea by Demetrius (2Ma 14:12), whose trusted friend he was, and who had accompanied him when he escaped from Rome (Polyb. 3:21; Josephus, Ant. 12:10, 4). Nicanor, being one of the generals chosen by Lysias when he invaded Judaea, B.C. 166′ (1Ma 3:38), by the sale of Jewish captives at ninety for a talent, brought multitudes of slave-merchants to his camp (1Ma 3:41; 2Ma 8:10-11; Josephus, Ant. 12:7, 3 and 4). He was, however, most signally disappointed in his expectations, for, in common with his companions in arms, he suffered a disgraceful defeat from Judas Maccabaeus, and was compelled to escape in the disguise of a slave to Antioch, where he declared that the Jews had God for their defender, and that they were invulnerable (), because they followed the laws appointed by him. Four years later, entrusted with a large army by Demetrius, he had orders not to spare the nation of the Jews. According to 2 Maccabees 14, he at first made peace with Judas Maccabaeus, whom he loved from his heart; but, accused by Alcimus to Demetrius, he was compelled to break all his engagements with the Maccabean chief, and ordered to send him prisoner to Antioch. According to 1Ma 7:26-32, and Josephus, Ant. 12:10, 4, Nicanor attempted, at first, by pretense of friendship, to get Judas into his hands.
Raphall unites both accounts, regarding the treachery of Nicanor as subsequent to the angry orders he received from Demetrius. Judas, however, discovered the treachery in time, and escaped. Open hostilities immediately commenced, when Nicanct was defeated with the loss of 5000 men, and took refuge in the fortress which was in the city of David (1Ma 7:31-32; Josephus, Ant. 12:10, 4). Josephus, indeed, as the text now stands, represents Judas as sustaining a defeat, and fleeing to the citadel which was in Jerusalem. But there is evidently an error in the text here, as it contradicts the context, which shows that the citadel at Jerusalem was then in the hands of the Syrians. Nicanor, on coming down from the citadel, and meeting the priests, blasphemed God, and threatened to destroy their temple unless they delivered up Judas, a thing they could not do, even if they were disposed. Departing from Jerusalem, and joined by a fresh army out of Syria, he encamped at Beth-horon. Judas also pitched his camp at the village of Adasa, thirty furlongs off At length they joined battle, when, Nicanor having fallen among the first, the Syrians were beaten, routed, and slaughtered in their flight. Finding Nicanor on the battle-field, the Jews cut off his head and his right arm, which he had stretched out so proudly, and hung them up at Jerusalem. His tongue also they cut out and minced, and threw to the birds. The day of the victory, Adar 13, being that before Mardochaeus’ day, they set apart as a season of annual solemnity (B.C. 161) (1Ma 7:43-49; 2Ma 15:26-36; Josephus, Ant. 12:10, 5; see also Raphall’s Post. Bib. Hist. of the Jews, ch. 4 and 6; Jahn’s Heb. Commonwealth, 96, 97, 98). SEE MACCABEE.
2. A Nicanor is mentioned in 2Ma 12:2, as governor of Cyprus () in the time of Antiochus V Eupator, and yet as interfering with the Jews in Palestine. But as the above Nicanor mentioned by Polybius cannot be meant, this must either be another person, or some confusion has befallen the author here (see Grimm, ad loc.). In 4Ma 3:20, Nicanor is given as a surname of Seleucus, meaning apparently Seleucus I Nicator.
3. One of the first seven deacons appointed by the Church at Jerusalem along with Stephen (Act 6:5), A.D. 29. Dorotheus makes him to have been one of the seventy disciples of our Lord, and according to the Pseudo-Hippolytus he died at the time of the martyrdom of Stephen’ (p. 953, ed. Migne).
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Nicanor
conqueror, one of the seven deacons appointed in the apostolic Church (Acts 6:1-6). Nothing further is known of him.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Nicanor
One of the seven ordained for ministration of alms. “of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom,” but also preachers of the gospel (Act 6:1-10; Act 8:5).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Nicanor
NICANOR.1. Son of Patroclus, a Syrian general who was engaged in the Jewish wars (1Ma 3:38). He was sent by Lysias in b.c. 166 against Judas Maccabus, but was defeated. Five years later he was sent on the same errand by Demetrius; this time he endeavoured to win by strategy what he had failed to gain by force. Again he was compelled to fight, and was twice defeated, once at Capharsalama (1Ma 7:26-32) and again at Adasa, where he lost his life. The day of his death was ordained to be kept as a festival as Nicanors Day. The account in 2 Mac (esp. 2Ma 14:12-30) differs in several details. 2. One of the Seven (Act 6:5).
T. A. Moxon.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Nicanor
One of the seven first deacons in the church of Christ after the descent of the Holy Ghost. (Act 6:5) The name is taken from the Greek, and means to conquer.
Fuente: The Poor Mans Concordance and Dictionary to the Sacred Scriptures
Nicanor (1)
n-kanor, nka-nor (, Nikanor): The son of Patroclus and one of the king’s chief friends (2 Macc 8:9), a Syrian general under Antiochus Epiphanes and Demetrius Soter. After the defeat of Seron by Judas, Epiphanes entrusted his chancellor Lysias with the reduction of Judea (1 Macc 3:34 ff). Nicanor was one of the three generals commissioned by Lysias – the others being Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes, and Gorgias (1 Macc 3:38). The campaign began in 166 BC; the Syrians were defeated at Emmaus (1 Macc 3:57 ff), while Gorgias at a later stage gained a victory at Jamnia over a body of Jews who disobeyed Judas (1 Macc 5:58). The account given in 2 Macc differs considerably, both in omissions and in additions (2 Macc 8:9 ff). There Nicanor, not Gorgias, is the chief in command. The battle of Emmaus is not mentioned, but the thrice-accursed Nicanor, having in overweening pride invited a thousand slavedealers to accompany him to buy the Jewish captives, was humiliated, and his host was destroyed, he himself escaping like a fugitive slave to Antioch (2 Macc 8:34 f). After the death of Epiphanes, Eupator and Lysias (the last two at the hands of Demetrius (1 Macc 7:2)), Nicanor appears again under King Demetrius in the struggle between Alcimus and Judas. Alcimus, having been seated in the priesthood by Demetrius’ officer Bacchides, could not hold it against Judas and the patriots. He appealed again to Demetrius, who this time selected Nicanor, now governor of Cyprus (2 Macc 12:2) and known for his deadly hatred of the Jews, to settle the dispute and slay Judas (2 Macc 14:12 ff; 1 Macc 7:26 ff). Nicanor was appointed governor of Judea on this occasion. Again 1 and 2 Maccabees differ. According to 1 Maccabees, Nicanor sought in vain to seize Judas by treachery. Then followed the battle of Capharsalama (village of peace), in which the Syrians were defeated, though Josephus (Ant., XII, x, 5) says Judas was defeated. Nicanor retired to Jerusalem, insulted the priests and threatened the destruction of the temple unless they delivered up Judas. He then retired to Beth-horon to find Judas posted opposite him at Adasa (1 Macc 7:39 ff) 3 1/2 miles distant. Here on the 13th of the 12th month Adar (March), 161 BC, the Syrians sustained a crushing defeat, Nicanor himself being the first to fall. The Jews cut off his head and proud right hand and hanged them up beside Jerusalem. For a little while Adasa gave the land of Judah rest. The people ordained to keep this day of great gladness year by year – the 13th of Adar, the day before the day of Mordecai (Feast of Purim). 2 Maccabees mentions that Simon, Judas’ brother, was worsted in a first engagement (14:17), omits the battle of Capharsalama, and represents Nicanor, struck with the manliness of the Jews, as entering into friendly relations with Judas, urging him to marry and lead a quiet life, forgetful of the king’s command until Alcimus accused him to Demetrius. The latter peremptorily ordered Nicanor to bring Judas in all haste as prisoner to Antioch (14:27). The scene of the final conflict (Adasa) is given only as in the region of Samaria (15:1). According to this account, it was Judas who ordered the mutilation of Nicanor and in a more gruesome fashion (15:30 ff). It is possible that the Nicanor, the Cypriarch or governor of Cyprus of 2 Macc 12:2, is a different person from Nicanor, the son of Patroclus – a view not accepted in the above account.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Nicanor (2)
(, Nikanor): One of the seven chosen to superintend the daily ministration of the poor of the Christian community at Jerusalem (Act 6:5). The name is Greek.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Nicanor
[Nica’nor]
One of the seven chosen to look after the poor saints at Jerusalem. Act 6:5.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Nicanor
A deacon of the church at Jerusalem.
Act 6:5
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Nicanor
Nica’nor. (conqueror).
1. Son of Patroclus, 2Ma 8:9, a general, who was engaged in the Jewish wars, under Antiochus Epiphanes and Demetrius I. 1Ma 3:38; 1 Maccabees_4; 1Ma 7:26; 1Ma 7:49. (B.C. 160).
2. One of the first seven deacons. Act 6:5.