Blastus
According to the Bible, Blastus was the chamberlain of Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:20), a mediator for the Sidonians and Tyrians,[1] and was believed to be involved in the events that led to Herod's death.
Biblical account
[edit]According to Acts 12:20, Herod was displeased with the people of Tyre and Sidon,[2] and forbade the export of food to them. As they were dependent on delivery of food from Judea, and Judea was affected by famine,[3] the Sidonians and Tyrians made Blastus "their friend" (possibly through bribery [4]). Blastus helped them obtain an audience with Herod.
Acts 12:23 states that Herod was struck dead by God when the people of Sidon and Tyre offered him worship.
Other contemporary accounts
[edit]The story of Herod's death is partly corroborated by the contemporary historian Josephus.[5] However, Josephus does not mention any involvement of Blastus.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Elwell, Walter A; Comfort, Philip Wesley (2001). Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Tyndale House Publishers. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-8423-7089-9.
- ^ Orr, James; Hunter, S. F. (1939). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
- ^ Acts 11:28-29
- ^ Henry, Matthew; Williams, J. B. (1828). Exposition of the Old and New Testament, Volume 3. Towar. p. 806.; compare Gill, John, Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/acts/12.htm accessed 1 September 2015
- ^ Brownrigg, Ronald (2001). Who's Who in the New Testament. Routledge. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-415-26036-7.