Tetrarch

Tetrarch - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

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

Tetrarch - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

TE'TRARCH, n. [Gr. four, and rule.] A Roman governor of the fourth part of a province; a subordinate prince. In time, this word came to denote any petty king or sovereign.

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.

Henry E. Dosker

Definition

The term “tetrarch” refers to a governing official who ruled over part of the Roman Empire. Each tetrarch was under the authority of the Roman emperor.

• The title “tetrarch” means “one of four joint rulers.”
• Starting under the Emperor Diocletian, there were four major divisions of the Roman Empire and each tetrarch ruled one division.
• The kingdom of of Herod “the Great,” who was king at the time of the birth of Jesus, was divided into four sections after his death, and ruled by his sons as “tetrarchs,” or “rulers of a fourth.”
• Each division had one or more smaller parts called “provinces,” such as Galilee or Samaria.
• “Herod the tetrarch” is mentioned several times in the New Testament. He is also known as “Herod Antipas.”
• The term “tetrarch” could also be translated as “regional governor” or “provincial ruler” or “ruler” or “governor.”

(See also: governor, Herod Antipas, province, Rome, ruler)

Bible References

• Luke 3:1-2
• Luke 9:7
• Matthew 14:1-2

Word Data

• Strong’s: G50750, G50760