Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, April 20th, 2025
Easter Sunday
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort! Bible Encyclopedias
Mercury; Mercurius
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Search for…
or
mûr´kū́ - ri , mẽr - kū´ri - us : The translation of Ἑρμῆς , Hermḗs , in Acts 14:12 : "They called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker." Hermes was the god of eloquence (and also of theft), the attendant, messenger and spokesman of the gods. The more commanding presence of Barnabas (compare 2 Corinthians 10:10 ) probably caused him to be identified with Zeus (the Roman Jupiter), while his gift of eloquence suggested the identification of Paul with Hermes (the Roman Mercury). The temple of Jupiter was before Lystra, and to him the Lycaonians paid their chief worship. Compare the legend of Baucis and Philemon (Ovid, Metam . viii. 611 f). See HERMES; JUPITER; GREECE , RELIGION IN .
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and were generously provided by the folks at WordSearch Software.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Mercury; Mercurius'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/m/mercury-mercurius.html. 1915.
