Nicanor

The son of Patroclus, “one of the king’s chief friends” (2 Maccabees 8:9). He was a Syrian general who served under two kings: Antiochus IV Epiphanes and Demetrius Soter. Nicanor may have been the supreme commander over Ptolemy and Gorgias in Lysias's first campaign against Judas Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 3:38ff.) This was during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

Nicanor died in the battle at Adasa and Beth-horon in 161 BC. According to 2 Maccabees, Judas hung the head of Nicanor from the citadel (a fortress in Jerusalem) as a clear proof of the God's victory (15:35).

One of the seven men chosen by the early church to manage the daily distribution of food to the poor believers in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). These seven men were selected to ensure that widows and others in need received fair treatment in the daily distribution of food.