Dictionaries :: Tetrarch

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Tetrarch:

strictly the ruler over the fourth part of a province; but the word denotes a ruler of a province generally (Mat 14:1; Luk 3:1,19; 9:7; Act 13:1). Herod and Phasael, the sons of Antipater, were the first tetrarchs in Palestine. Herod the tetrarch had the title of king (Mat 14:9).

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Tetrarch:

governor of a fourth part

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Tetrarch:

te'-trark, tet'-rark tetrarches): As the name indicates it signifies a prince, who governs one-fourth of a domain or kingdom. The Greeks first used the word. Thus Philip of Macedon divided Thessaly into four "tetrarchies." Later on the Romans adopted the term and applied it to any ruler of a small principality. It is not synonymous with "ethnarch" at least the Romans made a distinction between Herod "tetrarch" of Galilee, Philip "tetrarch" of Trachonitis, Lysanias "tetrarch" of Abilene, and Archelaius "ethnarch" of Judea (BJ, II, vi, 3; Ant, XVII, xi, 4). The title was often conferred on Herodian princes by the Romans, and sometimes it was used courteously as a synonym for king (Mt 14:9; Mr 6:14). In the same way a "tetrarchy" was sometimes called a kingdom.

Written by Henry E. Dosker

Nave's Topical Bible

Tetrarch: A Roman Ruler

Mat 14:1

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Tetrarch:

denotes "one of four rulers" (tetra, "four," arche, "rule"), properly, "the governor of the fourth part of a region;" hence, "a dependent princeling," or "any petty ruler" subordinate to kings or ethnarchs; in the NT, Herod Antipas, Mat 14:1; Luk 3:19; 9:7; Act 13:1.

Tetrarch:

"to be a tetrarch," occurs in Luk 3:1 (thrice), of Herod Antipas, his brother Philip and Lysanias. Antipas and Philip each inherited a fourth part of his father's dominions. Inscriptions bear witness to the accuracy of Luke's details.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Tetrarch:

properly the sovereign or governor of the fourth part of a country (Matthew 14:1; Luke 3:1; 9:7; Acts 13:1). The title was, however, often applied to any one who governed a Roman province, of whatever size. The title of king was sometimes assigned to a tetrarch (Matthew 14:9; Mark 6:14; 6:22).