Bible Dictionary
Tetrarch
A tetrarch was originally a ruler over one-fourth of a territory, though the title was also used for a governor of a smaller province. Herod Antipas and other rulers in the New Testament bore this title.
Definition
A tetrarch was strictly a ruler over one-fourth of a territory, but the title was also applied to a governor of a smaller province. Roman usage could apply it to rulers of principalities of varying size, and sometimes courteously to a king.
Biblical Usage
The New Testament calls Herod a tetrarch and mentions tetrarchs in Galilee, Trachonitis, Abilene, and other contexts. Herod the tetrarch is also called king.
Historical Background
The Greeks used the term for a ruler of a fourth part of a domain, and the Romans adopted it for small provincial rulers. The title was distinguished from ethnarch, though a tetrarchy could sometimes be called a kingdom.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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 Palestine. Herod the tetrarch had the title of king (Matt. 14:9).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
properly the sovereign or governor of the fourth part of a country. (Matthew 14:1; Luke 3:1; 9:7; Acts 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. (Matthew 14:9; Mark 6:14,22)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>te'-trark, tet'-rark tetrarches): As the name indicates it signifies a prince, who governs one-fourth of a domain or kingdom. The Greeks first used the word. Thus Philip of Macedon divided Thessaly into four "tetrarchies." Later on the Romans adopted the term and applied it to any ruler of a small principality. It is not synonymous with "ethnarch" at least the Romans made a distinction between Herod "tetrarch" of Galilee, Philip "tetrarch" of Trachonitis, Lysanias "tetrarch" of Abilene, and Archelaius "ethnarch" of Judea (BJ, II, vi, 3; Ant, XVII, xi, 4). The title was often conferred on Herodian princes by the Romans, and sometimes it was used courteously as a synonym for king (Mt 14:9; Mr 6:14). In the same way a "tetrarchy" was sometimes called a kingdom.</p><p>Henry E. Dosker</p>