Bible Dictionary
ZEUS
Zeus was the chief god of Greek religion. In the inter-testamental period, pagan rulers associated the Jerusalem temple with Zeus Olympius and the Samaritan sanctuary at Gerizim with Zeus Xenius; Zeus is also identified with Jupiter in Acts.
Definition
Zeus was the supreme god of Hellenic theology, regarded as king of gods and men. In biblical-era history, the name was associated with Greek efforts to Hellenize Judea and with the pagan interpretation of sanctuaries in Jerusalem and Gerizim.
Biblical Usage
In Acts 14, Zeus is the Revised Version margin’s name for Jupiter, whom the people of Lystra associated with Barnabas. In 2 Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes designated the Jerusalem temple as Zeus Olympius and the Gerizim sanctuary as Zeus Xenius.
Historical Background
Olympius referred to Mount Olympus, the dwelling place of the gods, while Xenius meant protector of strangers. Antiochus began a temple of Zeus Olympius that was completed under Hadrian.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>zus (Zeus, the Revised Version margin; the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version Jupiter): The supreme god of Hellenic theology, "king of gods and of men." In 168 BC Antiochus Epiphanes, "who on God's altars danced," bent upon the thorough Hellenization of Judea and Jerusalem, sent "an old man of Athens" (or "Geron an Athenian," the Revised Version margin) to pollute the sanctuary in the temple at Jerusalem and to call it by the name of Jupiter Olympius, and that at Gerizim by the name of Jupiter Xenius (2 Macc 6:1 ff). Olympius, from Mt. Olympus, the home of the gods, is the favorite epithet of Zeus, Zeus Olympius being to the Greek world what Jupiter Capitolinus was to the Roman. The same Antiochus commenced the splendid temple of Zeus Olympius, finished under Hadrian. Zeus is also frequently styled Xenius or "Protector of strangers" (Juppiter hospitalis) in classical literature. The epithet is here applied because the people of Gerizim--the Samaritans--were hospitable, probably an ironical statement of the author (compare Lu 9:52 f). Zeus is also in Ac 14:12 f the Revised Version margin for JUPITER (which see).</p><p>S. Angus</p>