List of converts to Judaism from paganism
This is a list of converts to Judaism from pagan religions.
- Abraham (the founder), probably from Semitic paganism
- Aquila of Sinope (Acylas), from traditional Greek religion[1]
- Bithiah, from traditional Egyptian religion
- Bulan, king of the Khazars, from traditional Khazar religion [2]
- Jethro, priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses [1], from a Mideastern religion
- Makeda, queen of Sheba, from a Mideastern or Ethiopian religion[3]
- Dhu Nuwas, king of Yemen, from a Mideastern religion [4]
- Obadiah the prophet, from a Mideastern religion[5]
- Sh'maya, Sage and President of the Sanhedrin, apparently from a Mideastern religion[6]
- Avtalyon, Sage and Vice-President of the Sanhedrin, apparently from a Mideastern religion[7]
- Onkelos, Hebrew scholar and translator, from ancient Roman religion[8]
- Ruth, great-grandmother of King David, from a Near Eastern religion.[9]
- Helena, queen of Adiabene, from traditional Greek religion. [2]
- Izates bar Monobaz, king of Adiabene, from a Persian or Mideastern religion. [3]
- Symacho, wife of Izates bar Monobaz, from a Persian or Mideastern religion. [4]
- Monobaz II, king of Adiabene, from a Persian or Mideastern religion. [5]
- Osenath, from Canaanite religion (her name relates to Anat)
- Zipporah, from a Mideastern or northern African religion
- Yael, from Canaanite or another Near Eastern religion
- Flavia Domitilla, from traditional ancient Roman religion (possibly to Jewish Christianity, as she is also a Christian saint)
- Titus Flavius Clemens (consul), great-nephew of the Roman Emperor Vespasian, from traditional Roman religion (possibly to Jewish Christianity, as he is also a Christian saint)
- Fulvia (wife of Saturninus), wife of Emperor Tiberius' close friend, Saturninus, from traditional Roman religion.
- Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad, from Arabian religion, was the Himyarite king of Yemen. He ruled Yemen from 390–420 CE.
- Paulina Beturia, from traditional Roman religion
References
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia "He was by birth a Gentile from Pontus, and is said by Epiphanius to have been a connection by marriage of the emperor Hadrian and to have been appointed by him about the year 128 to an office concerned with the rebuilding of Jerusalem as "Ælia Capitolina." At some unknown age he joined the Christians, but afterward left them and became a proselyte to Judaism."
- ^ Fordham University
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia "If the contradictory and sometimes legendary accounts of the personality of Dhu Nuwas given by the Arabian writers can be trusted, he was not a Jew by birth, but embraced Judaism after ascending the throne, taking the name of "Joseph."
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia "Obadiah was a proselyte of Edomite origin."
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia
- ^ BBC