Learn more about Nicanor

Introduction to Nicanor

The name Nicanor (Greek: Νικάνωρ, Nikanōr; from νίκη “victory” + ἀνήρ “man”) means “victorious man” or “conqueror” .

Nicanor Pronunciation

Nicanor is pronounced as ny-KAY-nor (phonetic IPA: /nɪˈkænɔr/ or “nigh-kan-or”) .

Nicanor in the Bible and History

There are three prominent individuals named Nicanor in biblical and intertestamental sources:

• Nicanor, Seleucid General: A Syrian-Greek commander under Antiochus IV Epiphanes and later Demetrius I Soter. He led Seleucid forces against Judas Maccabeus during the Maccabean Revolt.
• Nicanor the Cypriarch: Possibly a separate figure, referred to as governor of Cyprus who also engaged in anti-Jewish efforts in Palestine during Antiochus V’s reign.
• Nicanor, Early Church Deacon: One of the Seven appointed in Acts 6:5 to oversee legitimate care for widows in the Jerusalem church.

Nicanor, Seleucid General (Maccabean Context)

This Nicanor appears prominently in 1 and 2 Maccabees:

• Son of Patroclus; allied with Antiochus IV and Demetrius I; once elephant commander (ἐλεφαντάρχης) .
• In 166 BC, served under Lysias against Judea alongside generals Gorgias and Ptolemy (1 Macc 3:38–42) .
• Attempted to capture and enslave Jews to finance Seleucid debts, but was defeated at Emmaus; fled and declared Jews invincible due to their faith .
• Re‐appointed governor of Judea under Demetrius, initiated negotiations with Judas Maccabeus but was forced to betray the trust by High Priest Alcimus .
• Threatened to burn Jerusalem Temple to force Judas’s capture, then led a campaign ending at the Battle of Adasa on 13 Adar 161 BC .
• Fell in battle; killed, decapitated, with head and right hand displayed in Jerusalem. His death gave rise to Yom Nicanor, a commemorative festival .

Nicanor the Cypriarch

2 Maccabees 12:2 mentions a “governor of Cyprus” named Nicanor stirring unrest in Palestine during Antiochus V's reign. Scholars debate whether this is the same general or a different figure, though titles differ.

Nicanor, Christian Deacon in Acts 6

In Acts 6:5, Nicanor is one of the Seven appointed to oversee daily distribution to widows, enabling the apostles to focus on prayer and ministry of the Word.

Related Themes and Meanings

• Victory and Faith: The general’s initial confidence and mission contrast with his downfall, reflecting divine sovereignty.
• Loyalty & Betrayal: His political allegiance underlines intra-Jewish tension and Greek influence.
• Early Church Care: The deacon Nicanor symbolizes practical action rooted in spiritual wisdom and community service.

Trivia and Interesting Facts about Nicanor

• Yom Nicanor (“Day of Nicanor”) became a Jewish minor festival commemorating his defeat on 13 Adar.
• The Seleucid general is linked to the Cave of Nicanor on Mount Scopus—but that cave’s Nicanor was a wealthy Alexandrian Jew who donated bronze gates to the Temple, confirmed by ossuary inscription.
• The deacon Nicanor is categorized as one of the proto-diaconate pioneers, though his story remains largely unchronicled outside Acts.

Additional Context and Legacy

The Seleucid general’s defeat at Adasa emboldened the Maccabean revolt, paving the way for Jewish autonomy under the Hasmoneans. While heroic in Jewish narrative, Christian tradition remembers only the deacon Nicanor, emphasizing early church organization and fairness in community care.