MANAEN (= Menahem). One of the Christian prophets and teachers at Antioch, and ‘foster-brother’ of Herod Antipas ( Acts 13:1 ). Although individual non-official Christians prophesied ( Acts 2:17 f., Acts 21:9 , 1 Corinthians 14:31 ), yet there was in NT a class of official prophets ( Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 3:5 , Revelation 18:20 , perhaps 1 Thessalonians 2:15 ); and so in the Didache ( c [Note: circa, about.] . a.d. 120?) the prophets formed an official class above the local ministry. Manaen was clearly an official at Antioch. The phrase ‘foster-brother of Herod’ is thought by Deissmann to be a mere title of honour, like ‘the king’s friend’ in 1 Chronicles 27:33 , but more probably represents a literal fact. An older Manaen had been befriended by Herod the Great as having foretold his advancement; this one might be his grandson, brought up with Antipas. Another instance of the circle of Herod being reached by Christianity is Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward ( Luke 8:3 ); and Antipas himself was touched by the Baptist’s preaching ( Mark 6:20 ).
A. J. Maclean.