tetrarch Summary and Overview

strictly the ruler over the fourth part of a province; but the word denotes a ruler of a province generally (Matt. 14:1; Luke 3:1, 19; 9:7; Acts 13:1). Herod and Phasael, the sons of Antipater, were the first tetrarchs in Israel. Herod the tetrarch had the title of king (Matt. 14:9).

properly the sovereign or governor of the fourth part of a country. #Mt 14:1; Lu 3:1; 9:7; Ac 13:1| The title was, however, often applied to any one who governed a Roman province, of whatever size. The title of king was sometimes assigned to a tetrarch. #Mt 14:9; Mr 6:14,22|

TE'TRARCH . This title was given to a sovereign prince, and strictly denotes one who governs the fourth part of a province or kingdom. Matt 14:1. In our Scriptures, however, it is applied to any one who governed a province of the Roman empire, whatever portion of the territory might be within his jurisdiction. The tetrarch had the title of king;. Matt 14:9.

Properly governor of the fourth part of a larger province and kingdom, i.e. a tetrarchy. The title "king" is applied by courtesy, not right, to Herod "the tetrarch" (Luke 3:1; Mark 6:14). (See HEROD.) As Archelaus was "ethnarch" over half of Herod the Great's whole kingdom, so Philip and Antipus had divided between them the remaining half, and were each "tetrarch" over the fourth; Herod over Galilee; Philip over Ituraea and Trachonitis; Lysanias over Abilene. Caligula annexed the three tetrarchies to the kingdom of Herod Agrippa I, whom he honoured with the title "king" (Acts 12).