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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Cleopatra</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/c/cleopatra.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/genesis/1-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/c/cleopatra.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Cleopatra</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cleopas--a_disciple_to_whom_jesus_appeared_after_his_resurrection.htm" title="Cleopas: A Disciple to Whom Jesus Appeared After his Resurrection">◄</a> Cleopatra <a href="/topical/c/cleophas.htm" title="Cleophas">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Cleopatra VII Philopator, commonly known as Cleopatra, was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Although she is not directly mentioned in the Bible, her life and reign intersect with the historical and political backdrop of the biblical world, particularly during the intertestamental period and the early Roman Empire.<br><br><b>Historical Context</b><br><br>Cleopatra was born in 69 BC and became queen of Egypt in 51 BC. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a Greek family that ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. Her reign was marked by political alliances and romantic liaisons with powerful Roman figures, most notably Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. These relationships were part of her strategy to maintain Egypt's independence amidst the expanding Roman Empire.<br><br><b>Cleopatra and the Biblical World</b><br><br>While Cleopatra herself is not mentioned in the Bible, her era overlaps with significant biblical events and figures. The Ptolemaic dynasty, to which she belonged, played a crucial role in the history of the Jewish people. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, was commissioned during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, an ancestor of Cleopatra. This translation was significant for the Jewish diaspora and later for the early Christian church.<br><br>Cleopatra's interactions with Rome had indirect implications for the Jewish people. Her alliance with Mark Antony and their subsequent defeat by Octavian (later Augustus Caesar) at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC led to the consolidation of Roman power. This shift in power dynamics set the stage for the Roman occupation of Judea, which is the political context of the New Testament.<br><br><b>Cultural and Religious Influence</b><br><br>Cleopatra's reign is often associated with the blending of Egyptian and Hellenistic cultures. She was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and fluency in multiple languages, including Egyptian, which was unusual for the Ptolemaic rulers. Her ability to navigate the complex cultural and political landscape of her time reflects the broader Hellenistic influence on the regions surrounding Judea.<br><br>The New Testament, particularly the Gospels, was written in a world heavily influenced by Hellenistic culture, a legacy of the Ptolemaic and Seleucid empires. The spread of Greek language and culture facilitated the dissemination of the Gospel message across diverse populations.<br><br><b>Cleopatra's Legacy</b><br><br>Cleopatra's death in 30 BC marked the end of the Ptolemaic rule and the beginning of Roman Egypt. Her life and reign have been the subject of fascination and myth, often overshadowing her political and cultural impact. For the biblical world, her era represents a time of transition and the complex interplay of power, culture, and religion that shaped the context of the New Testament.<br><br>While Cleopatra's direct influence on biblical events is minimal, understanding her role in history provides insight into the geopolitical and cultural environment of the time. Her legacy is a testament to the intricate tapestry of history that God used to prepare the world for the coming of Christ and the spread of the Gospel.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">CLEOPATRA</span><p>kle-o-pa'-tra (Kleopatra, "from a famous father"): A daughter of Ptolemy VI (Philometor) and of Queen Cleopatra, who was married first to Alexander Balas 150 B.C. (1 Maccabees 10:58; Josephus, Ant, XIII, iv, 1) and was afterward taken from him by her father and given to Demetrius Nicator on the invasion of Syria by the latter (1 Maccabees 11:12; Josephus, Ant, XIII, iv, 7). Alexander was killed in battle against the joint forces of Ptolemy and Demetrius while Demetrius was in captivity in Parthia. Cleopatra married his brother Antiochus VII (Sidetes), who in the absence of Demetrius had gained possession of the Syrian throne (137 B.C.). She was probably privy (Appian, Syriac., 68) to the murder of Demetrius on his return to Syria 125 B.C., but Josephus (Ant., XIII, ix, 3) gives a different account of his death. She afterward murdered Seleucus, her eldest son by Nicator, who on his father's death had taken possession of the government without her consent. She attempted unsuccessfully to poison her second son by Nicator, Antiochus VIII (Grypus), for whom she had secured the succession, because he was unwilling to concede to her what she considered her due Share of power. She was herself poisoned (120 B.C.) by the draught which she had prepared for their son (Justin 39). She had also a son by Antiochus VII (Sidetes Antiochus Cyzicenus), who took his name from the place in which he was educated. He was killed in battle 95 B.C. The name Cleopatra was borne by many Egyptian princesses, the first of whom was daughter of Antiochus III and was married to Ptolemy V (Epiphanes) 193 B.C.<br><br>J. Hutchison<p><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_4_how_cleopatra_when.htm"><span class="l">How <b>Cleopatra</b>, when She had Gotten from Antony Some Parts of Judea <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> CHAPTER 4. How <b>Cleopatra</b>, When She Had Gotten From Antony Some Parts Of Judea And<br> Arabia Came Into Judea; And How Herod Gave Her Many Presents And Conducted <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how cleopatra when.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_13_how_alexander_upon.htm"><span class="l">How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which <b>Cleopatra</b> <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> How Alexander, upon the League of Mutual Defense Which <b>Cleopatra</b> Had Agreed with<br> Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria, and Utterly Overthrew the City of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how alexander upon.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_wars_of_the_jews_or_history_of_the_destruction_of_jerusalem/chapter_19_how_antony_at.htm"><span class="l">How Antony at the Persuasion of <b>Cleopatra</b> Sent Herod to Fight <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> CHAPTER 19. How Antony At The Persuasion Of <b>Cleopatra</b> Sent Herod To Fight Against<br> The Arabians; And Now After Several Battles, He At Length Got The Victory. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter 19 how antony at.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_wars_of_the_jews_or_history_of_the_destruction_of_jerusalem/chapter_18_how_herod_and.htm"><span class="l">How Herod and Sosius Took Jerusalem by Force; and what Death <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> CHAPTER 18. How Herod And Sosius Took Jerusalem By Force; And What Death Antigonus<br> Came To. Also Concerning <b>Cleopatra's</b> Avaricious Temper. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter 18 how herod and.htm</font><p><a href="/library/africanus/the_writings_of_julius_africanus/fragment_xvii_on_the_fortunes.htm"><span class="l">Fragment xvii. On the Fortunes of Hyrcanus and Antigonus, and on <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> and on Herod? On the Fortunes of Hyrcanus and Antigonus, and on Herod,<br> Augustus, Antony, and <b>Cleopatra</b>, in Abstract. 1. Octavius <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/fragment xvii on the fortunes.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_wars_of_the_jews_or_history_of_the_destruction_of_jerusalem/chapter_20_herod_is_confirmed.htm"><span class="l">Herod is Confirmed in his Kingdom by Caesar, and Cultivates a <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> By Magnificent Presents; While Caesar Returns His Kindness By Bestowing On Him That<br> Part Of His Kingdom Which Had Been Taken Away From It By <b>Cleopatra</b> With The <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter 20 herod is confirmed.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_12_how_alexander_when.htm"><span class="l">How Alexander when He had Taken the Government Made an Expedition <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Ptolemais, And Then Raised The Siege Out Of Fear Of Ptolemy Lathyrus; And How Ptolemy<br> Made War Against Him, Because He Had Sent To <b>Cleopatra</b> To Persuade Her To <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how alexander when.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_3_the_friendship_that.htm"><span class="l">The Friendship that was Between Onias and Ptolemy Philometor; and <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Macedonians and their kings, out of a desire to purchase to himself a memorial and<br> eternal fame he resolved to send to king Ptolemy and queen <b>Cleopatra</b>, to ask <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 the friendship that.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/an_answer_to_the_jews/chapter_viii_of_the_times_of.htm"><span class="l">Of the Times of Christ's Birth and Passion, and of Jerusalem's <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Ptolemy...xxxvii years (37). <b>Cleopatra</b>,...xx years v months (20 5-12). Yet again<br> <b>Cleopatra</b> reigned jointly with Augustus...xiii years (13). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter viii of the times of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_wars_of_the_jews_or_history_of_the_destruction_of_jerusalem/"><span class="l">The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem</span></a> <br><b>...</b> CHAPTER 18. How Herod And Sosius Took Jerusalem By Force; And What Death Antigonus<br> Came To. Also Concerning <b>Cleopatra's</b> Avaricious Temper. CHAPTER 19. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the wars of the jews or history of the destruction of jerusalem/</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/c/cleopatra.htm"><span class="l"><b>Cleopatra</b></span></a><br><b>...</b><b>CLEOPATRA</b>. <b>...</b><b>Cleopatra</b> married his brother Antiochus VII (Sidetes), who in the absence<br> of Demetrius had gained possession of the Syrian throne (137 BC). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/cleopatra.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/ptolemy.htm"><span class="l">Ptolemy</span></a><br><b>...</b> Not daring to disobey Rome, Antiochus compromised by making peace with Ptolemy and<br> betrothing to him his daughter <b>Cleopatra</b>, who was to receive as her dower <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/ptolemy.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/triumph.htm"><span class="l">Triumph (52 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> spiritual death. After the suicide of Antony in Alexandria (30 BC) Augustus<br> Caesar succeeded in getting <b>Cleopatra</b> into his power. She <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/triumph.htm - 24k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/demetrius.htm"><span class="l">Demetrius (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Ptolemy Philometor, whose daughter was the wife of Alexander Balas, now entered<br> into the struggle, and taking <b>Cleopatra</b>, his daughter, from Alexander, he gave <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/demetrius.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/cleophas.htm"><span class="l">Cleophas (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/cleophas.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/herod.htm"><span class="l">Herod (45 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Herod Philip II. The son of Herod the Great and <b>Cleopatra</b> of Jerusalem. He was<br> "tetrarch" of Batanea, Iturea, Trachonitis, and Auranitis. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/herod.htm - 57k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/nabathaeans.htm"><span class="l">Nabathaeans</span></a><br><b>...</b> Antony made a present of part of Malchus' territory to <b>Cleopatra</b>, and the Nabatean<br> kingdom was further humiliated by disastrous defeat in the war against Herod <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/nabathaeans.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/nabataeans.htm"><span class="l">Nabataeans</span></a><br><b>...</b> Antony made a present of part of Malchus' territory to <b>Cleopatra</b>, and the Nabatean<br> kingdom was further humiliated by disastrous defeat in the war against Herod <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/nabataeans.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/on.htm"><span class="l">On (40792 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>Cleopatra's</b> Needle" was one of those which stood in this city in front of the Temple<br> of Tum, ie, "the sun." It is now erected on the Thames Embankment, London. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/on.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/lysanias.htm"><span class="l">Lysanias (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> or 28 AD A Lysanias is mentioned by Josephus as having ruled over Chalcis and Abilene,<br> and as having been slain by Mark Antony at the instigation of <b>Cleopatra</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/lysanias.htm - 7k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Julius-Caesar.html">What influence did Julius Caesar have on biblical history? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/cleopatra.htm">Cleopatra: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/cleopatra.htm">Cleopatra</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cleopatra.htm">Cleopatra</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James (40 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/brother.htm">Brother (402 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/clopas.htm">Clopas (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/clerestory.htm">Clerestory (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/stood.htm">Stood (491 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cleopas--a_disciple_to_whom_jesus_appeared_after_his_resurrection.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Cleopas: A Disciple to Whom Jesus Appeared After his Resurrection"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Cleopas: A Disciple to Whom Jesus Appeared After his Resurrection" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/c/cleophas.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Cleophas"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Cleophas" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>