Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

QUIRINIUS

(Gk. Kyrḗnios; Lat. Quirinius)

Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, governor (legate) and consul of Syria. Possibly as a result of distinguished military service during Augustus’ campaigns in Actium (31 b.c.e.) and Spain (20s), Quirinius rose from the plebeian class to be elected consul in 12 b.c.e. When Augustus removed Archelaus, the son of Herod the Great, as ruler of Judea in 6 b.c.e., Quirinius was appointed governor (legate) and charged with the task of completing the formal annexation of Judea. He enjoyed considerable political favor and power during the reigns of both Augustus and Tiberius Caesar until his death in 21 c.e.

Both Josephus (Ant. 27.13.5; 28.1.1) and an inscription discovered in Aleppo report that Quirinius conducted a census of Judea for tax purposes as part of this process (cf. Acts 5:37). Luke associates Jesus’ birth with both this census (Luke 2:1-7) and the “days of Herod the King” (1:5), who died in 4 b.c.e.. Thus, there is a discrepancy of at least a decade regarding the nativity.

Timothy B. Cargal

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

QUIRINIUS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)