Bible Dictionary
CRATES
Crates was a governor associated with the Cyprians who served as a deputy under Sostratus during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. He is mentioned in the account of political conflict surrounding the Jerusalem priesthood.
Definition
Crates was a governor associated with the Cyprians who served as deputy for Sostratus. He appears in the political events surrounding the Jerusalem priesthood during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes.
Biblical Usage
When Sostratus was summoned to Antioch because of a dispute with Menelaus, Crates was left as his deputy.
Historical Background
Because Cyprus was not then possessed by Antiochus, the description may mean that Crates had formerly been, or later became, governor of the Cyprians. The Latin Vulgate renders the passage differently.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kra'-tez (Krates), governor of the Cyprians, left as deputy of Sostratus when the latter, who was governor of Jerusalem, was summoned to Antioch by Antiochus Epiphanes, in consequence of a dispute with Menelaus (2 Macc 4:29). As Cyprus was not at the time in the possession of Antiochus, the words have been generally taken to mean Krates "who had formerly been, or afterward was, governor of the Cyprians." The Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A. D.) translates the Greek into "Sostratus autem praelatus est Cypriis."</p>