Twin Brothers
This term is used in the Revised Version of (Acts 28:11) for Castor And Pollux AND Pollux, which see.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Twin Brothers
## Biblical Narrative The only direct biblical reference to 'Twin Brothers' appears in Acts 28:11, which describes the ship on which Paul traveled from Malta to Rome: 'After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island—a ship of Alexandria, with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead' (Acts 28:11, NRSV). This brief mention situates Paul's journey within the broader Greco-Roman maritime world, where ships were often named after or adorned with images of protective deities. ## Historical Background The 'Twin Brothers' (Greek: Διόσκουροι, Dioskouroi) refer to Castor and Pollux, the mythological twin sons of Zeus and Leda in Greek mythology. In Roman culture, they were known as the Gemini and were revered as patrons of sailors, travelers, and horsemen. Their association with navigation and protection at sea made them a common symbol on ancient ships, often carved or painted on the prow or stern. The ship from Alexandria, likely a large grain vessel, bore their image as a talisman for safe passage. Archaeological evidence confirms the widespread use of such figureheads…
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Twin Brothers
See DIOSCUEL TYCHICUS (TixiKis), classed with Tronhimus as 'katavol, i.e. natives of Asia (Ac 20*). Tliey were, with other disciples, St. Paul's companions in travel from Macedonia as far as to Asia, and preceded him to Troas. Tychicus is mentioned four times in the Epistles of St. Paul. In Eph 6-' '-'^ St. Paul savs, ' That ye also may know ni}- affairs and how I ^o, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faitliful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things : whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye maj' know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.' He was therefore the bearer of the letter to its destina- tion, whatever that may have been. Tychicus had the same charge entrusted to him by St. Paul, a prisoner at Rome, in carrying the Epistle to the Colossians (4"- *), where he is called, in addition to the titles given above, St. Paul's ' fellow-servant in the Lord.' F'rom 2 "Ti 4" it appears that Tychicus was sent on a second occasion to Ephesus, most prob- ably after St. Paul's first imprisonment at Rome. At this time his old companion Trophimus wa…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia