Cyrenius

the Grecized form of Quirinus (Quirinius)

His full name was Publius Sulpicius Quirinius. Recent historical investigation has proved that Quirinius was governor of Cilicia, which was annexed to Syria at the time of our Lord’s birth. Cilicia, which he ruled, being a province of Syria. He is called the governor, which he was de jure, of Syria. Some ten years afterwards he was appointed governor of Syria for the second time. During his tenure of office, at the time of our Lord’s birth (Luke 2:2), a “taxing” (Revised King James Version, “enrolment;” i.e., a registration) of the people was “first made;” i.e., was made for the first time under his government.

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