Dares
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Dares is a figure mentioned in the context of ancient literature and mythology, rather than directly within the canonical texts of the Bible. However, his name and associated narratives have been of interest to biblical scholars and historians, particularly in the study of classical influences on early Christian thought and literature.

Historical Context and Background

Dares the Phrygian is traditionally considered to be a Trojan priest of Hephaestus, who is said to have authored a work on the Trojan War. This work, known as "Dares Phrygius' History of the Fall of Troy," is believed to predate Homer's epics, although the extant Latin version is much later, likely from the 5th century AD. The text purports to be an eyewitness account of the events of the Trojan War, offering a perspective that contrasts with the Homeric epics, particularly in its portrayal of the Greeks and Trojans.

Influence on Christian Literature

While Dares himself is not a biblical figure, his work has had an indirect influence on Christian literature and medieval thought. During the Middle Ages, Dares' account, along with that of Dictys of Crete, was considered a more historical and factual recounting of the Trojan War than the mythological narratives of Homer. This perception was due in part to the medieval preference for historical chronicles over mythological poetry.

The narratives of Dares and Dictys were often used by Christian scholars and writers to draw moral and theological lessons, as they sought to reconcile classical history with Christian teachings. The fall of Troy, as described by Dares, was sometimes allegorized to reflect themes of divine justice, human pride, and the consequences of sin—concepts that resonate with biblical teachings.

Biblical Parallels and Themes

Although Dares is not mentioned in the Bible, the themes present in his narrative can be paralleled with biblical accounts. The destruction of a great city due to human hubris and divine retribution is a motif found in the Bible, most notably in the accounts of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) and the fall of Babylon (Revelation 18). These accounts, like the fall of Troy, serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of pride and the ultimate sovereignty of God over human affairs.

Furthermore, the idea of an eyewitness account of significant historical events is a concept that resonates with the biblical tradition. The Gospels, for example, are presented as testimonies of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, written by those who either witnessed these events or gathered accounts from those who did.

Conclusion

While Dares the Phrygian is not a biblical character, his work has contributed to the broader tapestry of historical and literary influences that have shaped Christian thought. His narrative of the Trojan War, with its themes of pride, conflict, and divine intervention, offers a lens through which to explore similar themes within the biblical narrative.
Library

An Address to a Soul So Overwhelmed with a Sense of the Greatness ...
... AN ADDRESS TO A SOUL SO OVERWHELMED WITH A SENSE OF THE GREATNESS OF ITS SINS, THAT
IT DARES NOT APPLY ITSELF TO CHRIST WITH ANY HOPE OF SALVATION. ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xii an address to.htm

The Anathemas of Cyril in Opposition to Nestorius.
... V. If any one dares to maintain that the Christ is man bearing God, and not rather
that He is God in truth, and one Son, and by nature, according as the Word ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/the anathemas of cyril in.htm

Philippians ii. 11-May
... Whatsoever a man robs, and takes contrary to his right, he dares not lay aside,
from fear lest it perish, and fall from his possession, but he keeps hold of it ...
/.../homily vii philippians ii 11-may.htm

He Shows that the Passages of Scripture Adduced by victor do not ...
... In the instance, too, which the apostle adduces, "God giveth it a body as it hath
pleased Him," [2354] let him deny, if he dares, that corn springs from corn ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 17 xiv he shows that.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... how you obtained righteousness you may hold to it"a righteousness not of the Law."
So far as the righteousness of the Law is concerned, Paul dares to say he ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
... Will the hypocrite call upon God in times of pleasure? No; if he indulges himself
in what he calls pleasure, he dares not pray at night when he comes home. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the touchstone of godly sincerity.htm

Sanctification and Justification.
... is deemed sufficiently wise to see how things ought to be; and qualified to determine
that so they shall be; and powerful to resist him who dares be otherwise. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/iii sanctification and justification.htm

The Humanity of God
... But when he does get home; when he shows that he has learnt the bitter lesson; when
all he dares to ask is, 'Make me as one of thy hired servants,' he is ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon ix the humanity of god.htm

Letter Liv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... For he that dares not take it every day, and he who dares not omit it any
day, are both alike moved by a desire to do it honour. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter liv replies to questions.htm

Preach the Gospel
... we ought not to preach the doctrine of election, because it is not calculated to
convert sinners." "But," said I to him, "who is the men that dares to find ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/preach the gospel.htm

Thesaurus
Dares (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dares (6 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians ... soul. He
takes an oath, but dares not testify. (WEB). Lamentations ...
/d/dares.htm - 7k

Dared (9 Occurrences)

/d/dared.htm - 9k

Daric

/d/daric.htm - 8k

Dare (19 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul.
He takes an oath, but dares not testify. (Root in WEB NIV). ...
/d/dare.htm - 12k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... Rabshakeh mockingly dares Hezekiah to stake a "pledge" that he can produce 2,000
men for the defense of Jerusalem, although the mighty Assyrian host has that ...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Accomplice (1 Occurrence)
... Accomplice (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is
an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify. (WEB NIV). ...
/a/accomplice.htm - 6k

Thief (41 Occurrences)
... NIV). Proverbs 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of
his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify. (WEB ...
/t/thief.htm - 22k

Testify (110 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Proverbs 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is
an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify. (WEB NIV). ...
/t/testify.htm - 36k

Enemy (134 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own
soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify. (WEB NIV). ...
/e/enemy.htm - 41k

Resources
What can we learn from the tribe of Judah? | GotQuestions.org

How is Jesus different from other religious leaders? | GotQuestions.org

Who/what is the Lion of the tribe of Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Dares (6 Occurrences)

2 Corinthians 11:21
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 49:9
Judah is a lion's cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 24:9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed."
(See NAS NIV)

Job 41:10
None is so fierce that dare stir him up; who then is able to stand before Me?
(See NAS RSV)

Proverbs 29:24
Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
(WEB)

Lamentations 4:14
They wander as blind men in the streets, they are polluted with blood, So that men can't touch their garments.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Dares

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