Bible Encyclopedias
Libertines

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

'Certain of the synagogue, which is called (the synagogue) of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,' etc., are mentioned in . There has been much diversity in the interpretation of this word. The most probable opinion, and that which is now generally entertained, is, that the Libertines were Jews, whom the Romans had taken in war and conveyed to Rome, but afterwards freed; and that this synagogue had been built at their expense. Libertini is, therefore, to be regarded as a word of Roman origin, and to be explained with reference to Roman customs. Further, we know that there were in the time of Tiberius many libertini, or 'freed-men,' of the Jewish religion at Rome.

 

 

 

 

Bibliography Information
Kitto, John, ed. Entry for 'Libertines'. "Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature". https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​kbe/​l/libertines.html.