702. Aretas

Strong's Lexicon

Aretas: Aretas

Original Word: Ἀρέτας
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Aretas
Pronunciation: ah-REH-tas
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-et'-as)
Definition: Aretas
Meaning: Aretas IV, King of the Nabataeans.

Word Origin: Of Nabataean origin, possibly derived from the Arabic "Harith," meaning "protector" or "guardian."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for Aretas, as it is a proper name of Nabataean origin. However, the cultural and historical context can be linked to various Hebrew terms related to kingship and governance.

Usage: Aretas refers to a Nabataean king mentioned in the New Testament. He is known for his political and military influence during the time of the early Christian church. The name appears in the context of the Apostle Paul's experiences.

Cultural and Historical Background: Aretas IV Philopatris was a king of the Nabataeans from 9 BC to AD 40. His reign was marked by significant political maneuvering and expansion of Nabataean influence. The Nabataeans were an Arab people whose kingdom was located in what is now modern-day Jordan, with Petra as their capital. Aretas IV is historically significant for his conflict with Herod Antipas, which led to tensions with the Roman Empire. This historical backdrop provides context for his mention in the New Testament.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Aretas, an Arabian king
NASB Translation
Aretas (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 702: Ἀρέτας

Ἀρέτας (WH ἀρετάς, see their Introductory § 408), Ἁρέτα (cf. Winers Grammar, § 8, 1; (Buttmann, 20 (18))), ὁ, Aretas (a name common to many of the kings of Arabia Petraea or Nabathaean Arabia (cf. B. D. under the word ); cf. Schürer, Neutest. Zeitgesch. § 17 b., p. 233f); an Arabian king who made war (A.D. 36) on his son-in-law Herod Antipas for having repudiated his daughter; and with such success as completely to destroy his army (Josephus, Antiquities 18, 5). In consequence of this, Vitellius, governor of Syria, being ordered by Tiberius to march an army against Aretas, prepared for the war. But Tiberius meantime having died (March 16, A.D. 37), he recalled his troops from the march, dismissed them to their winter quarters, and departed to Rome. After his departure Aretas held sway over the region of Damascus (how acquired we do not know), and placed an ethnarch over the city: 2 Corinthians 11:32. Cf. Winers RWB under the word; Wieseler in Herzog i., p. 488f; Keim in Schenkel i., p. 238f; Schürer in Riehm, p. 83f; (B. D. American edition under the word ; Meyer on Acts, Einl. § 4 (cf. ibid., Wendt edition)).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Aretas.

Of foreign origin; Aretas, an Arabian -- Aretas.

Forms and Transliterations

Αρετα Ἁρέτα Areta Hareta Haréta

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 11:32 N-GMS
GRK: ὁ ἐθνάρχης Ἁρέτα τοῦ βασιλέως
NAS: the ethnarch under Aretas the king
KJV: the governor under Aretas the king
INT: the governor under Aretas the king

Strong's Greek 702
1 Occurrence

Ἁρέτα — 1 Occ.