Bible Dictionary
Cyrenius
Cyrenius is the Greek form of Quirinus, a Roman official associated with the enrollment mentioned in Luke 2:2. The sources describe him as having governed Syria more than once, though the chronology is discussed.
Definition
Cyrenius is the Greek form of Quirinus, whose full name was Publius Sulpicius Quirinus. He was associated with the government of Syria and with an enrollment of the people.
Biblical Usage
Luke connects his administration with the enrollment that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem (Luke 2:2). The supplied accounts describe this as the first enrollment under his government.
Historical Background
The sources state that Quirinus governed Cilicia, then annexed to Syria, and was later appointed governor of Syria a second time.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Grecized form of Quirinus. His full name was Publius Sulpicius Quirinus. Recent historical investigation has proved that Quirinus was governor of Cilicia, which was annexed to Syria at the time of our Lord’s birth. Cilicia, which he ruled, being a province of Syria, he is called the governor, which he was de jure, of Syria. Some ten years afterwards he was appointed governor of Syria for the second time. During his tenure of office, at the time of our Lord’s birth (Luke 2:2), a “taxing” (R.V., “enrolment;” i.e., a registration) of the people was “first made;” i.e., was made for the first time under his government. (See TAXING.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(warrior), the Greek form of the Roman name of Quirinus. The full name is Publius Sulpicius Quirinus. He was consul B.C. 12, and was made governor of Syria after the banishment of Archelaus in A.D. 6. He probably was twice governor of Syria; his first governorship extended from B.C. 4 (the year of Christ’s birth) to B.C. 1. It was during this time that he was sent to make the enrollment which caused Joseph and Mary to visit Bethlehem. (Luke 2:2) The second enrollment is mentioned in (Acts 5:37)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>si-re'-ni-us (Kurenios, "of Cyrene").</p><p>See QUIRINIUS.</p>