Topical Encyclopedia Abagarus, also known as Abgar V, was a historical figure who reigned as the king of Osroene, a small kingdom located in what is now southeastern Turkey, with its capital at Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa). His reign is traditionally dated from around AD 4 to AD 50. Abgar V is most famously associated with a Christian legend involving a correspondence with Jesus Christ, although this account is not found in the canonical Bible.Historical Context Osroene was a semi-independent kingdom that existed from 132 BC to AD 244. It was situated on the frontier between the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire, making it a region of strategic importance. The kingdom was known for its cultural diversity and was a melting pot of various influences, including Greek, Roman, Parthian, and local Semitic cultures. The Legend of Abgar and Jesus The legend of Abgar V's correspondence with Jesus is primarily recorded in the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea, a 4th-century church historian. According to Eusebius, Abgar, who was suffering from an illness, wrote a letter to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Son of God and asking Him to come to Edessa to heal him. In response, Jesus allegedly wrote back, promising to send one of His disciples after His ascension to heal Abgar and bring salvation to his people. Eusebius claims to have found these letters in the archives of Edessa and included them in his work "Ecclesiastical History." The authenticity of these letters has been a subject of debate among scholars, with many considering them apocryphal. The account, however, played a significant role in the early Christian tradition of Edessa, which became one of the first Christian states. Influence and Legacy The legend of Abgar's conversion to Christianity and his correspondence with Jesus contributed to the early spread of Christianity in the region. Edessa became a significant center for Christian thought and missionary activity. The city was home to a famous theological school and produced several notable Christian writers and theologians. The account of Abgar and Jesus also influenced Christian art and literature. It is often depicted in various forms of Christian iconography, emphasizing the theme of divine healing and the spread of the Gospel. Biblical References While the account of Abgar and Jesus is not found in the canonical Bible, it is worth noting that the Berean Standard Bible does not contain any direct references to Abgarus or the kingdom of Osroene. The account remains part of the broader Christian tradition and is primarily documented in extra-biblical sources. Cultural and Religious Significance The narrative of Abgar's conversion is significant in the context of early Christian history, illustrating the appeal of Christianity beyond the Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds. It highlights the role of personal testimony and miraculous healing in the spread of the Christian faith. The account also underscores the early church's efforts to establish a historical connection between Jesus and the rulers of distant lands, thereby legitimizing the Christian message across diverse cultures. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABGAR; ABGARUS; ABAGARUSab'-gar, ab-ga'-rus, a-bag'-a-rus (Abgaros): Written also Agbarus and Augarus. A king of Edessa. A name common to several kings (toparchs) of Edessa, Mesopotamia. One of these, Abgar, a son of Uchomo, the seventeenth (14th?) of twenty kings, according to the legend (Historia Ecclesiastica, i.13) sent a letter to Jesus, professing belief in His Messiahship and asking Him to come and heal him from an incurable disease (leprosy?), inviting Him at the same time to take refuge from His enemies in his city, "which is enough for us both." Jesus answering the letter blessed him, because he had believed on Him without having seen Him, and promised to send one of His disciples after He had risen from the dead. The apostle Thomas sent Judas Thaddeus, one of the Seventy, who healed him (Cod. Apocrypha New Testament). ABAGARUS a-bag'-a-rus. See ABGARUS. Thesaurus Abagarus... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABGAR; ABGARUS; ABAGARUS. ab'-gar, ab-ga'-rus, a-bag'-a-rus (Abgaros): Written also Agbarus and Augarus. ...ABAGARUS. a-bag'-a-rus. ... /a/abagarus.htm - 7k Abadias Abgarus Abagtha (1 Occurrence) Abgar Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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