cyrene Summary and Overview

a city (now Tripoli) in Upper Libya, North Africa, founded by a colony of Greeks (B.C. 630). It contained latterly a large number of Jews, who were introduced into the city by Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, because he thought they would contribute to the security of the place. They increased in number and influence; and we are thus prepared for the frequent references to them in connection with the early history of Christianity. Simon, who bore our Lord's cross, was a native of this place (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21). Jews from Cyrene were in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:10); and Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue at Jerusalem (6:9). Converts belonging to Cyrene contributed to the formation of the first Gentile church at Antioch (11:20). Among "the prophets and teachers" who "ministered to the Lord at Antioch" was Lucius of Cyrene (13:1).

the principal city of that part of northern Africa which was sufficiently called Cyrenaica, lying between Carthage and Egypt, and corresponding with the modern Tripoli. Though on the African coast, it was a Greek city, and the Jews were settled there in large numbers. The Greek colonization of this part of Africa under Battus began of early as B.C. 631. After the death of Alexander the Great it became a dependency of Egypt, and a Roman province B.C. 75. Simon, who bore our Saviour's cross, #Mt 27:32| was a native of Cyrene. Jewish dwellers in Cyrenaica were in Jerusalem at Pentecost, #Ac 2:10| and gave their name to one of the synagogues in Jerusalem. #Ac 6:9| Christian converts from Cyrene were among those who contributed actively to the formation of the first Gentile church at Antioch. #Ac 11:20|

CYRE'NE , the capital of a small province, and the chief city of Libya, in northern Africa. It was the centre of a wide district between Carthage and Egypt, and corresponding to modern Tripoli. It was a Grecian city, founded about b.c. 631. Under Alexander the Great the Jews were about one-fourth of the population, and were granted citizenship on the same terms as Greeks. At Alexander's death it was attached to Egypt; became a Roman province in b.c. 75; Simon, who bore our Saviour's cross, was of that city, Matt 27:32; its people were at Jerusalem during the Pentecost, and they had a synagogue there, Acts 2:10; Acts 6:9, and some of them became preachers of the gospel. Acts 11:20; Acts 13:1. Cyrene was destroyed by the Saracens in the fourth century, and is now desolate.

The chief city of Cyrenaica (now Tripoli), or the Libyan pentapolis (five cities) in N. Africa, between Egypt and Carthage, S., across the sea, of Crete and the Greek Peloponnese. A Dorian Greek colony, reigned over by Battus and his family 630 B.C. Afterward joined to its eastern neighbor Egypt. A table land descending by terraces to the sea. Famed for luxuriant vegetation and grandeur of its hills; for its intellectual activity in philosophy and poetry; and for its commerce. Jews in large number were settled there, and had a synagogue at Jerusalem, some of whose members took part against Stephen (Acts 6:9). Others were hearers of Peter and witnesses of the Spirit's miraculous effusion on Pentecost (Acts 2:10). Being converted, and subsequently scattered at the persecution of Stephen, they preached to the Greeks at Antioch, at which time and place believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:19-20). Simeon, who bore Jesus' cross, was of Cyrene (Luke 23:26). Among "the prophets and teachers" at Antioch who ministered to the Lord was Lucius of Cyrene (Acts 13:1), whom some identify with Luke the evangelist and physician. Certainly, it is from Luke alone that we hear so much of Cyrene. (But (See LUKE.) Cyrene was a great center from which the gospel afterwards went forth, raising the famous N. African churches.