Aretas (ăr'e-tâs), virtuous. 2 Corinthians 11:32. The king of Arabia Petræa at the time the governor of Damascus attempted to apprehend Paul. Acts 9:24-25. His daughter married Herod Antipas, but was afterward divorced to allow him to marry Herodias. In consequence of this insult, Aretas made war upon Antipas and defeated him. Antipas was soon after banished and his kingdom given to Agrippa. It is likely that Aretas was restored to the good graces of the Romans, and that Caligula granted him Damascus, which had already formed part of his predecessor's kingdom. In this way we can account for the fact in Paul's life stated above.
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