Synagogue of the Libertines
According to the
Acts 6:9
.
The Greek text of this verse reads:
- ανεστησαν δε τινες των εκ της συναγωγης της λεγομενης λιβερτινων και κυρηναιων και αλεξανδρεων και των απο κιλικιας και ασιας συζητουντες τω στεφανω.[1]
or in English:
- Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.[2]
Libertines
The meaning of Libertine in this passage is different from the generally understood connotation of "a dissolute person".[3] In this instance, "libertine" refers to one has been liberated, that is, a former slave or freedman. Those attending this particular synagogue might also include the descendants of such freedmen.[4]
Opinion is divided as to the number of synagogues named here. The probability is that there are three, corresponding to the geographical regions involved, Rome and Italy,
Judaea.[5]
References
- ^ Acts 6:9 Textus Receptus. Emphasis added.
- ^ Acts 6:9 KJV
- ^ See libertine
- ^ Hunter, S.F., "Libertines", International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1939
- ^ One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Libertines, Synagogue of the". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 543.
