Bible Dictionary
LASTHENES
Lasthenes was a high official under Demetrius II, probably serving as a chief minister. His titles of “kinsman” and “father” appear to have been court designations rather than descriptions of family relationship.
Definition
Lasthenes was a highly placed official under Demetrius II Nicator. His titles of “kinsman” and “father” were court designations rather than necessarily descriptions of blood relationship.
Biblical Usage
Lasthenes appears in the historical material of 1 Maccabees in connection with Demetrius II and royal correspondence.
Historical Background
According to the source, he was a native of Crete who raised an army for Demetrius and helped him gain the throne of Syria. His position was probably that of prime minister or grand vizier.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>las'-the-nez (Lasthenes): A highly placed official under King Demetrius II, Nicator. He is called the king's "kinsman" (the King James Version "cousin") and "father" (1 Macc 11:31,32; Josephus, Ant, XIII, iv, 9), but these are to be taken as court titles rather than as denoting blood-relationship. According to Josephus (Ant., XIII, iv, 3) he was a native of Crete, and raised an army for the king when he made his first descent upon the coast, and rendered him ultimately successful in wresting the throne of Syria from Alexander Balas (1 Macc 10:67; Ant, XIII, iv, 3). The letter addressed to Lasthenes indicates that he was probably prime minister or grand vizier of the kingdom.</p><p>J. Hutchinson</p>