Ptoleme'us.
1. "The son of Dorymenes," 1Ma_3:38; 1Ma_4:45; Compare Polyb. 1Ma_4:61, a courtier who possessed great influence with Antiochus Epiphanes.
2. The son of Agesarchus, a Megalopolitan, surnamed Macron, 2Ma_10:12, who was governor of Cyprus, during the minority of Ptolemy Philometor. He, afterward, deserted the Egyptian service, to join Antiochus Epiphanes. He stood in the favor of Antiochus, and received, from him, the government of Phoenicia and Coele-Syria. 1Ma_8:8; 1Ma_10:11-12. On the accession of Antiochus Eupator, his conciliatory policy toward the Jews brought him into suspicion at court. He was deprived of his government, and in consequence of this disgrace, he poisoned himself, circa. B.C. 16. 2Ma_10:13.
3. The son of Abuhus, who married the daughter of Simon, the Maccabee. He was a man of great wealth, and being invested with the government of the district of Jericho, formed the design of usurping the sovereignty of Judea.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863