alabarch

1 9.9

A Jewish official in ancient Alexandria who manages community and taxes

noun

Archaic

: alabarch

Historians believe the alabarch held significant influence in the city's administration.

Examples

The alabarch was responsible for overseeing the Jewish community in ancient Alexandria.
As alabarch, he managed both religious and financial affairs for his people.
The alabarch oversaw the collection of taxes in Alexandria.
Many alabarchs were respected leaders in their communities.
Philo served as an alabarch, representing the Jewish community in Alexandria during the Roman Empire.
As the alabarch, Alexander was responsible for managing taxes and the affairs of the Jewish population in Alexandria.
In ancient Alexandria, the alabarch played a crucial role in leading the Jewish community and handling their interests.

Synonyms

exilarch

vsalabarch

Archaic

1 9.9

A leader of the Jewish community living away from their homeland who represented them to rulers

acts as a local Alexandria official often responsible for taxes and community matters

ethnarch

vsalabarch

Archaic

1 9.9

A leader who governs a region or a community and may have religious power

is a local Alexandria official focused on community leadership and tax duties

Surface Forms

alabarch singular

alabarchs plural

Etymology

The word alabarch probably combines a local name with the Greek ending -arch, which means 'ruler' and appears in words like monarch and oligarch. So an alabarch was a local leader or official in Alexandria, often a Jewish leader or tax collector.