In Damascus the ethnarch of Aretas the king was watching the city of the Damascenes, wishing to seize me,2 Corinthians 11:32 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleIn Damascus the governor under Aretas - For a description of Damascus see the note on Acts 9:2. And for the transaction to which the apostle refers see Acts 9:23. As to King Aretas, there were three of this name. The first is mentioned 2 Maccabeans Acts 9:8. The second by Josephus, Antiq. l. xiii. c. 15, sec. 2; and l. xvi. c. 1, sec. 4. The third, who is the person supposed to be referred to here, was the father-in-law of Herod Antipas, of whom see the notes, Acts 9:23, etc.
But it is a question of some importance, How could Damascus, a city of Syria, be under the government of an Arabian king? It may be accounted for thus: Herod Antipas, who married the daughter of Aretas, divorced her, in order to marry Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Aretas, on this indignity offered to his family, made war upon Herod. Herod applied to Tiberius for help, and the emperor sent Vitellius to reduce Aretas, and to bring him alive or dead to Rome. By some means or other Vitellius delayed his operations, and in the meantime Tiberius died; and thus Aretas was snatched from ruin, Joseph., Antiq. lib. xviii. c. 5. What Aretas did in the interim is not known; but it is conjectured that he availed himself of the then favorable state of things, made an irruption into Syria, and seized on Damascus. See Rosenmuller; and see the introduction to this epistle, Section 2.
The governor - Εθναρχης· Who this ethnarch was, we cannot tell. The word ethnarch signifies the governor of a province, under a king or emperor.
Desirous to apprehend me - The enemies of the apostle might have represented him to the governor as a dangerous spy, employed by the Romans.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Damascus.
2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen...
Acts 9:24,25 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him...
Aretas. This Aretas was an Arabian king, and the father-in-law of Herod Antipas, upon whom he made war in consequence of his having divorced his daughter. Herod applied to Tiberius for help, who sent Vitellius to reduce Aretas, and to bring him alive or dead to Rome. By some means or other Vitellius delayed his operations, and in the mean time Tiberius died; and it is probable that Aretas, who was thus snatched from ruin, availed himself of the favourable state of things, and seized on Damascus, which had belonged to his ancestors.
2 Corinthians 11:32 Parallel Commentaries
Apprehend Arrest City Damascus Desiring Desirous Garrison Gates Governor Guarded Guarding Guards Kept Order Ruler Seize Shut Watch Watching WishingApprehend Arrest City Damascus Desiring Desirous Garrison Gates Governor Guarded Guarding Guards Kept Order Ruler Seize Shut Watch Watching WishingTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.2 Corinthians 11:32 Mobile Bible
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