Manaen

Manaen is given in the list of teachers and prophets at Antioch and the name

means ‘comforter’. Teachers and prophets had the role of comforting,(1) so the

name is fitting for this individual. We might ordinarily dismiss this as

coincidence, but, given the frequency of renaming among prophets and among

believers associated with Antioch, it is possible that this man had been given his

name to reflect his role.

The name is a variant of Menahem, which is a fairly uncommon name in

Josephus and the ossuaries. Williams writes, ‘Only two Menahems appear in

Josephus and there are not many more on the Ossuaries. The later Palestinian

evidence does not evince any upsurge in the popularity of the name either. In

Material relating to the Diaspora it hardly appears.’

However, in the Judean desert texts the name was common.(2)

(1) ‘On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their up

building and encouragement and consolation.’ (1 Cor 14:3)

‘After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent

them a message, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of PARAKLHSEWS

[encouragement or exhortation] for the people, give it."’ (Acts 13:15)