Bible Dictionary
CYPRIANS
Cyprians were the inhabitants of Cyprus. The term occurs in the Maccabean account of a governor associated with Cyprus, and Barnabas is also identified in the New Testament as a man from Cyprus.
Definition
Cyprians were inhabitants of the island of Cyprus. The term could also identify people serving in connection with the island.
Biblical Usage
In the Maccabean account, Crates was over the Cyprians. Barnabas, Paul’s associate on his first missionary journey, is identified as a man of Cyprus.
Historical Background
The governor of Cyprus was called a Cypriarch.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sip'-ri-ans (Kuprioi): Occurs in 2 Macc 4:29. Menelaus who was high priest at Jerusalem, and Sostratus who was governor of the citadel, were summoned by King Antiochus to appear before him. "Menelaus left his own brother Lysimachus for his deputy in the high-priesthood; and Sostratus left Crates, who was over the Cyprians." The Cyprians were the inhabitants of the island of Cyprus. Barnabas, who was Paul's associate on his first missionary journey, was a Cyprian (Kuprios; see Ac 4:36). the Revised Version (British and American) designates him as a man of Cyprus. The governor of the island was called a Cypriarch (see 2 Macc 12:2, and compare ASIARCH).</p><p>A. W. Fortune</p>