An online Bible dictionary describes the Roman Empire in Scripture as the fourth great power, symbolizing earthly power and authority. It was a major political and cultural force during the time of Jesus and the apostles, providing infrastructure and relative peace (the Pax Romana) that, paradoxically, facilitated the spread of the Gospel despite the empire’s pervasive corruption. The Roman Empire is also referenced in prophecy, particularly in Daniel’s vision, where it’s depicted as a formidable, mixed-material empire, a symbol of human authority that would eventually be broken.
In the vision of the great image in Daniel 2, the Roman Empire is represented by the iron legs, signifying its strength but also its division. It’s also portrayed as a dreadful beast with iron teeth in Daniel 7, a kingdom that consumes and breaks.
Geographical and Political Context:
The Roman Empire controlled Judea, where figures like Herod the Great and Pontius Pilate served under Roman authority. Its vast extent included many regions, providing a diverse population for the Gospel’s message.
The relative peace and stability within the empire, known as the Pax Romana, created conditions favorable for spreading Christianity. The established military roads and suppression of piracy allowed for easier travel and communication across the vast territory.
Infrastructure and Unity:
The empire’s unified infrastructure, including extensive road networks, helped the Christian message to spread. Latin became a common language in the West, and Greek in the East, fostering a sense of unity that aided missionary efforts.
Conflict and Persecution:
Despite the infrastructure, the Roman Empire’s power and the polytheistic nature of its religion often clashed with early Christianity. Christians faced persecution for refusing to worship the emperor, a common act of patriotism in the Roman world.
Roman Citizenship:
The concept of Roman citizenship, which Paul famously invoked, provided certain legal protections and rights, even allowing for an appeal to Caesar.
Transition to Christianity:
The empire’s transformation from a polytheistic state to the first Christian empire occurred over time. Emperor Constantine’s conversion and Emperor Theodosius the Great’s declaration of Christianity as the sole legal religion fundamentally changed the religious landscape.
Galatians 4:4: Mentions “the fullness of time,” referring to the opportune conditions created by the Roman Empire for the Gospel’s spread.
Online Bible Dictionary Roman Empire :
Various online Bible dictionaries provide detailed information about the Roman Empire, which played a significant role in biblical history, particularly during the New Testament period
. These resources explain the historical context of Rome’s dominion over the biblical world and the events that affected the Jewish people and early Christians.
Key online Bible dictionaries
Bible Study Tools This site features multiple classic Bible dictionaries, including Smith’s Bible Dictionary and Easton’s Bible Dictionary.
Roman Empire entry: Defines the empire’s historical relationship with the Jewish people, starting with the conquest of Judea by Pompey in 63 BCE.
Focus: Chronicles how the Jews became subject to Roman rule and how their rulers, such as Herod the Great, were essentially Roman-appointed figureheads.
Bible Hub Offers a multi-source Bible dictionary that aggregates information from Easton’s, Smith’s, and Webster’s dictionaries, among others.
Search capabilities: Allows users to look up specific terms like “Roman Empire” and view aggregated definitions from multiple sources.
StudyLight.org Hosts a wide collection of Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias, including the Holman Bible Dictionary.
Roman Empire entry: Provides background on the historical and administrative context of the empire, noting how the emperor Augustus corrected many problems of the Roman Republic.
Insight: Notes how the practice of imperial succession—by blood or adoption—ensured loyalty from the army and populace.
Blue Letter Bible A resource that links Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias to scriptural passages.
Lookups: Users can search for terms related to Rome and cross-reference them with various study tools and commentaries.
King James Bible Dictionary An online edition that explains the meaning of words found in the King James Version of the Bible.
Roman Empire reference: Its entry on “Rome” discusses the presence of early Christians in the city and how Christianity was likely introduced there shortly after Pentecost.
Key biblical figures and events involving the Roman Empire
Online Bible dictionaries connect many biblical narratives to specific Roman emperors and historical events:
Caesar Augustus: Responsible for the decree that a census be taken throughout the empire, which led to Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1).
Tiberius Caesar: Emperor during the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus’s crucifixion (Luke 3:1).
Claudius Caesar: Ordered all Jews to leave Rome, an event mentioned in the book of Acts (Acts 18:2).
Nero: Emperor whose household is mentioned by Paul in his letters (Philippians 4:22). He was known for persecuting Christians.
Prophetic descriptions
Many online Bible dictionaries also include theological interpretations of the Roman Empire based on prophetic books of the Bible.
Book of Daniel: The Roman Empire is often identified as the fourth kingdom described in Daniel’s prophecies, characterized as a dreadful and terrible beast with iron teeth (Daniel 7:7).
Interpretations: Dictionaries note that this prophecy correctly foretold the empire’s power, democratic element, and eventual internal division, which was compared to iron and clay.