Dositheiis

Dosith'eiis (Δοσίθεος), the name of several men in the Apocrypha.

1. "A priest and Levite," who, according to the apocryphal additions to the book of Esther, carried the letter of Mordecai respecting the feast of Purim to Egypt (Esther 11:1, 2). It is scarcely likely that he is identical with the Dositheus who is mentioned by Josephus (Ap. 2:5) as one of the "commanders of the forces" of Ptolemy VI Philometor, though he probably lived in the reign of that monarch. Josephus also speaks of a Dositheus who betrayed to Herod a hostile letter of Hyrcanus (Ant. 15:6, 2).

2. One of the generals of Judas Maccabaeus (2 Macc. 12:19, 24).

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

3. A cavalry soldier in the army of Judas Maccabieus, of the company of Bacenor (2 Macc. 12:35).

4. A renegade Jew in the camp of Ptolemy Philopator (3 Macc. 1:3).