the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Bible Encyclopedias
Gorgias
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (Γοργίας, a frequent name among the Oriental Greeks), one of the generals of Antiochus Epiphanes, was chosen by Lyisias, the general and sinitester of Antiochus Epiphanes and at this time in sale command of the provinces from the Euphrates to the sea, to undertake an expedition in company with Ptolemy, the son of Dorymanan, and with Nicanor, against Judaea, B.C. 166 (1 Maccabees 3:38; Joseph. Ant. 12:7, 2, 3, where he is styled "a mighty man of the king's friends"). These generals were, however, totally defeated near Einmaus by Judas Maccabas in (1 Maccabees 4:1 sq.; Joseph. Ant. 1.c). In B.C. 165, Joseph, the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, two captains in the service of Judas Maccabaeus, anxious to get themselves a name, and acting without the orders of Judas, attacked the garrison of Jamnia. Gorgias, the governor of the forces at Jamnia, defeated them with great loss (1 Maccabees 5:56 sq. Joseph. Ant. 12:7, 6).
The account of Gorgias in 2 Macc. is very confused. In one passage he is described simply as "a captain, who in matters of war had great experience, and therefore sent with Nicanor, the son of Patroclus, one of the special friends of Ptolomaeuss, the governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenice (comp. 1 Maccabees 3:38; Joseph. Ant. 12:7, 3), to root out the whole nation of the Jews (2 Maccabees 8:9). In another passage he is represented as "governor of the holds" (στρατηγὸς τῶντόπων [Alex. MS. τρόπων ], 2 Maccabees 10:14), and apparently of the holds of the Idumeans (?) (Acrabattene [?], comp. 1 Maccabees 5:3; Joseph. Ant. 12:8, 1; see Ewald, Geschichte, 4:91, 358). He is afterwards, according to the present text, described as "governor of Idumea" (2 Maccabees 12:32).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Gorgias'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/g/gorgias.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
