Bible Dictionary
ANTIOCHUS VII
Antiochus VII, surnamed Sidetes, was a Seleucid king who defeated Tryphon and besieged Jerusalem. He later fought the Parthians and was killed in battle.
Definition
Antiochus VII, surnamed Sidetes, was a Seleucid king and the younger son of Demetrius Soter. He overthrew Tryphon and ruled from 139 to 130 BC.
Biblical Usage
He defeated John Maccabeus and besieged Jerusalem, but concluded a favorable peace. His campaign and death are mentioned in the Maccabean record.
Historical Background
Antiochus married Cleopatra, the wife of his imprisoned brother Demetrius Nicator. He later fought the Parthians and was killed in battle.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(Surnamed Sidetes, Sidetes, after Sida in Pamphylia, where he was educated): Younger son of Demetrius Soter and brother of Demetrius Nicator, whose wife, Cleopatra, he married when Demetrius was taken prisoner by the Parthians. Antiochus overthrew the usurper, Tryphon, and ascended the throne himself and reigned from 139 to 130 BC. He defeated John Maccabeus and besieged Jerusalem (Ant., XIII, viii, 2), but concluded a favorable peace (Ant., XIII, viii, 3) from fear of Rome. Later he waged war with the Parthians and was slain in battle (1 Macc 15:2-9,28-31).</p><p>J. E. Harry</p>