Bible Dictionary
PHYLARCH
A phylarch was a commander or chief of a tribal or auxiliary military force. The term occurs in the account of Timotheus’s forces.
Definition
A phylarch was a commander or chief of a tribal or auxiliary military force. In the Revised Version the term describes the phylarch of Timotheus’s forces.
Biblical Usage
The term occurs in the account of Timotheus’s forces in 2 Maccabees 8:32.
Historical Background
The supplied material suggests that the phylarch was probably the captain of an irregular auxiliary force rather than a cavalry officer.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>fi'-lark (phularches): Given in the King James Version of 2 Macc 8:32 as a proper name "Philarches," but in the Revised Version (British and American) "the phylarch of Timotheus's forces"; "probably the captain of an irregular auxiliary force" (Revised Version margin), rather than a cavalry officer.</p>