Ptolemies and Seleucids
The Ptolemies and Seleucids were dynasties that emerged after the death of Alexander the Great (356—323 BC), during the centuries between the Old and New Testaments. Both dynasties played key roles in the region surrounding Judea in the land of Israel. The Ptolemies ruled Egypt south of Judea for about 275 years (305—30 BC). They controlled Judea from about 301–200 BC. The Seleucids ruled Syria north of Judea for about 250 years (312—63 BC). They controlled Judea from about 200—142 BC.
There were about 400 years between the end of the Old Testament era and the beginning of the New Testament era. Greece, led by Alexander the Great, transformed much of the Mediterranean region. At its peak, Alexander the Great ruled lands from India in the east to Greece in the west, and from Egypt in the south to modern-day Turkey in the north. Thus, he ruled most of the modern-day Middle East before he died at the age of 33.
After Alexander’s death, four of his generals took leadership of various parts of his empire. Cassander, who ruled Macedonia and Greece in the west, and Lysimachus, who ruled Thrace and modern-day Turkey in the north, had less of an impact on biblical history. However, Ptolemy I Soter, who ruled Egypt in the south, and Seleucus I Nicator, who ruled Syria and the other territories in the east, had a greater impact.
Knowing the key figures and events from the period between the testaments, such as the Ptolemies and Seleucids, helps Bible readers understand the New Testament’s setting. Although Malachi is the Old Testament’s last book, Nehemiah records the final years of that period. In the book, Nehemiah leads Jews returning home from exile to rebuild Israel. This return occurred under the Persian Empire’s regional oversight. The Old Testament story ends here.
However, when the New Testament story begins, Persia no longer rules the region, including Judea. The Roman Empire is in charge, and its presence is evident from the earliest stories in the Gospels. However, the Roman Empire didn’t succeed the Persian Empire in history. Instead, in the years between the testaments, the Greek Empire replaced the Persian Empire. After that, the Roman Empire replaced the Greek Empire. Thus, the Old Testament ends under Persian rule, and the New Testament begins under Roman rule.
Although the Roman Empire replaced the Greek Empire, it didn’t erase Greek cultural influences throughout the region. The spread of Greek culture—called Hellenization from the Greek word hellēn, meaning “Greek”—proved enduring. Hellenization is evident throughout the New Testament. For instance, Greek is the original language of all 27 New Testament books. In addition, Greek culture is evident in stories that address religion, government, and education. The Ptolemies and Seleucids contributed to the Hellenization that continued during the Roman Empire.
The book of Daniel foretells Alexander’s reign and the empire’s eventual division. One of the prophecies refers to Alexander as “the large horn.” This symbolic image depicts Alexander’s military might: “The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king” (Daniel 8:21). Daniel also foretells the four-part division of the empire, which included the Ptolemies and Seleucids. Calling them “kingdoms,” Daniel writes, “The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power” (Daniel 8:22). Daniel 7:6 and Daniel 11:3–4 are also prophecies that refer to Alexander and his successors.
Both the rule of the Ptolemies and the Seleucids ended before the birth of Jesus Christ. The Ptolemies fell in 30 BC when Egypt became part of the Roman Empire. The Seleucids ended in 64 BC when Syria came under Roman rule. The New Testament doesn’t mention either dynasty by name. However, Jesus taught about “the abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14), an event that awaits final fulfillment in the end times. Yet, in 167 BC, the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes foreshadowed the future event by desecrating the temple. Jesus also celebrated the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22), commonly called Hanukkah. This holy day recalls the rededication of the temple after Antiochus violated it.
In these ways, the Ptolemies and Seleucids play a role in biblical history.
There were about 400 years between the end of the Old Testament era and the beginning of the New Testament era. Greece, led by Alexander the Great, transformed much of the Mediterranean region. At its peak, Alexander the Great ruled lands from India in the east to Greece in the west, and from Egypt in the south to modern-day Turkey in the north. Thus, he ruled most of the modern-day Middle East before he died at the age of 33.
After Alexander’s death, four of his generals took leadership of various parts of his empire. Cassander, who ruled Macedonia and Greece in the west, and Lysimachus, who ruled Thrace and modern-day Turkey in the north, had less of an impact on biblical history. However, Ptolemy I Soter, who ruled Egypt in the south, and Seleucus I Nicator, who ruled Syria and the other territories in the east, had a greater impact.
Knowing the key figures and events from the period between the testaments, such as the Ptolemies and Seleucids, helps Bible readers understand the New Testament’s setting. Although Malachi is the Old Testament’s last book, Nehemiah records the final years of that period. In the book, Nehemiah leads Jews returning home from exile to rebuild Israel. This return occurred under the Persian Empire’s regional oversight. The Old Testament story ends here.
However, when the New Testament story begins, Persia no longer rules the region, including Judea. The Roman Empire is in charge, and its presence is evident from the earliest stories in the Gospels. However, the Roman Empire didn’t succeed the Persian Empire in history. Instead, in the years between the testaments, the Greek Empire replaced the Persian Empire. After that, the Roman Empire replaced the Greek Empire. Thus, the Old Testament ends under Persian rule, and the New Testament begins under Roman rule.
Although the Roman Empire replaced the Greek Empire, it didn’t erase Greek cultural influences throughout the region. The spread of Greek culture—called Hellenization from the Greek word hellēn, meaning “Greek”—proved enduring. Hellenization is evident throughout the New Testament. For instance, Greek is the original language of all 27 New Testament books. In addition, Greek culture is evident in stories that address religion, government, and education. The Ptolemies and Seleucids contributed to the Hellenization that continued during the Roman Empire.
The book of Daniel foretells Alexander’s reign and the empire’s eventual division. One of the prophecies refers to Alexander as “the large horn.” This symbolic image depicts Alexander’s military might: “The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king” (Daniel 8:21). Daniel also foretells the four-part division of the empire, which included the Ptolemies and Seleucids. Calling them “kingdoms,” Daniel writes, “The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power” (Daniel 8:22). Daniel 7:6 and Daniel 11:3–4 are also prophecies that refer to Alexander and his successors.
Both the rule of the Ptolemies and the Seleucids ended before the birth of Jesus Christ. The Ptolemies fell in 30 BC when Egypt became part of the Roman Empire. The Seleucids ended in 64 BC when Syria came under Roman rule. The New Testament doesn’t mention either dynasty by name. However, Jesus taught about “the abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14), an event that awaits final fulfillment in the end times. Yet, in 167 BC, the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes foreshadowed the future event by desecrating the temple. Jesus also celebrated the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22), commonly called Hanukkah. This holy day recalls the rededication of the temple after Antiochus violated it.
In these ways, the Ptolemies and Seleucids play a role in biblical history.
Source: gotquestions.org