Balas, also known as Alexander Balas, was a significant figure in the Hellenistic period, particularly in the history of the Seleucid Empire. He claimed to be the son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and sought to seize the throne of the Seleucid Empire from Demetrius I Soter. His reign is noted for its impact on the Jewish people and the political landscape of the region during the intertestamental period.

Historical Context

Alexander Balas emerged during a time of political instability within the Seleucid Empire. After the death of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the empire was plagued by internal strife and external threats. Demetrius I Soter, who was ruling at the time, faced opposition from various factions, both within and outside the empire. Balas capitalized on this unrest by claiming royal lineage and seeking support to overthrow Demetrius.

Rise to Power

Balas gained the backing of several key players, including the Roman Senate and Ptolemy VI Philometor of Egypt. His claim to the throne was bolstered by his marriage to Cleopatra Thea, the daughter of Ptolemy VI, which helped secure Egyptian support. With this backing, Balas was able to muster an army and challenge Demetrius I for control of the Seleucid Empire.

Reign and Influence

Alexander Balas's reign began around 150 BC after he successfully defeated Demetrius I. His rule is characterized by attempts to consolidate power and maintain the support of his allies. Balas's reign was marked by a degree of religious tolerance, which endeared him to certain Jewish factions. This period saw the continuation of the Hellenistic influence on Jewish culture and religion, a theme prevalent in the intertestamental period.

Interaction with the Jewish People

The Jewish historian Josephus provides insight into Balas's interactions with the Jewish people. Balas is noted for his favorable treatment of the Jews, granting them certain privileges and freedoms. This relationship is indicative of the broader Hellenistic influence on Jewish society during this era, as well as the political maneuvering that characterized Balas's reign.

Downfall and Legacy

Despite his initial success, Balas's reign was short-lived. Internal dissent and external pressures eventually led to his downfall. In 145 BC, he was defeated by Demetrius II Nicator, the son of Demetrius I, with the support of Ptolemy VI, who had turned against Balas. Alexander Balas fled but was ultimately killed, marking the end of his brief rule.

Balas's legacy is a testament to the tumultuous nature of the Hellenistic period and the complex interplay of politics, culture, and religion. His reign, though short, had lasting implications for the Seleucid Empire and the Jewish people, highlighting the intricate dynamics of power and influence in the ancient Near East.ALEXANDER BALAS

Alexander ba'-las (Alexandros ho Balas legomenos): He contended against Demetrius I of Syria for the throne and succeeded in obtaining it. He was a youth of mean origin, but he was put forth by the enemies of Demetrius as being Alexander, the son and heir of Antiochus Epiphanes. He received the support of the Roman Senate and of Ptolemy VI of Egypt, and on account of the tyranny of Demetrius, was favored by many of the Syrians. The country was thrown into civil war and Demetrius was defeated by Alexander II took up the cause of his father and in 147 B.C., Alexander fled from his kingdom and was soon after assassinated.

Our chief interest in Alexander is his connection with the Maccabees. Jonathan was the leader of the Maccabean forces and both Alexander and Demetrius sought his aid. Demetrius granted Jonathan the right to raise and maintain an army. Alexander, not to be outdone, appointed Jonathan high priest, and as a token of his new office sent him a purple robe and a diadem (Ant., XIII, ii, 2). This was an important step in the rise of the Maccabean house, for it insured them the support of the Chasidim. In 153 B.C., Jonathan officiated as high priest at the altar (1 Maccabees 10:1-14; Ant, XIII, ii, 1). This made him the legal head of Judea and thus the movement of the Maccabees became closely identified with Judaism. In 1 Maccabees 10:1, he is called Alexander Epiphanes.

A. W. Fortune

1103. balas -- to gather figs
... 1102, 1103. balas. 1104 . to gather figs. Transliteration: balas Phonetic Spelling:
(baw-las') Short Definition: figs. ... 1102, 1103. balas. 1104 . ...
/hebrew/1103.htm - 5k

The Maccabees.
... Antiochus Eupator was dethroned and murdered by his cousin Demetrius; but shortly
after, a man named Balas came forward, calling himself the son of Antiochus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

How Alexander Honored Jonathan after an Extraordinary Manner; and ...
... departed this life. Now Alexander, who was called Balas, reigned over Asia
five years, as we have elsewhere related. 9. But when ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how alexander honored.htm

Book 13 Footnotes
... [17] That this Antiochus, the son of Alexander Balas, was called "The God," is evident
from his coins, which Spanheim assures us bear this inscription, "King ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 13 footnotes.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... He took the side of the new monarch, Alexander Balas, who sent him a crown of gold
and a purple mantle, and appointed him High-Priest, a dignity which Jonathan ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

On Daniel. Ii. The Interpretation by Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome ...
... stirpis). So Hippolytus calls him here, "a certain Alexander" (tina). He
had also other surnames, eg, Euergetes, Balas, etc. [1329 ...
/.../on daniel ii the interpretation.htm

Balas
... ALEXANDER BALAS. Alexander ba'-las (Alexandros ho Balas legomenos): He contended
against Demetrius I of Syria for the throne and succeeded in obtaining it. ...
/b/balas.htm - 7k

Demetrius (3 Occurrences)
... xxxii.20) and his own people, and ALEXANDER BALAS (which see) was put forward as
a claimant to the throne, his supporters maintaining that he was the son of ...
/d/demetrius.htm - 17k

Tryphon
... TRYPHON. tri'-fon (Truphon): The surname of Diodotus, a usurper of the Syrian throne.
He was a native of Apamea, and had been in the service of Alexander Balas. ...
/t/tryphon.htm - 9k

Asmoneans
... The events of the year 153 BC however changed the entire aspect of affairs. Demetrius
saw his throne menaced by Alexander Balas, a Roman favorite. ...
/a/asmoneans.htm - 27k

Ptolemy
... his province. Philometor was later drawn into Syrian politics in the conflict
between Alexander Balas and Demetrius. The Egyptian ...
/p/ptolemy.htm - 17k

Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... ALEXANDER BALAS. Alexander ba'-las (Alexandros ho Balas legomenos): He contended
against Demetrius I of Syria for the throne and succeeded in obtaining it. ...
/a/alexander.htm - 32k

Maccabees
... the real facts as regards Alexander's partition of his kingdom; and other misstatements
of fact due to the same cause occur in 10:1; (Alexander (Balas), son of ...
/m/maccabees.htm - 52k

Zabdiel (2 Occurrences)
... (2) An overseer of the priests (Nehemiah 11:14). (3) An Arabian who beheaded
Alexander Balas and sent his head to Ptolemy (1 Maccabees 11:17). ...
/z/zabdiel.htm - 7k

Lasthenes
... king when he made his first descent upon the coast, and rendered him ultimately
successful in wresting the throne of Syria from Alexander Balas (1 Maccabees 10 ...
/l/lasthenes.htm - 7k

Imalcue
... IMALCUE. i-mal-ku'-e (Imalkoue; the King James Version Simalcue): An Arabian prince
to whom Alexander Balas entrusted the upbringing of his young son Antiochus. ...
/i/imalcue.htm - 6k

Who was Judas Maccabeus? | GotQuestions.org

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