AGABUS ăg’ ə bəs (̓́Αγαβος, ̔́γαβος [Nestle], derivation uncertain, חָגָב֒, H2506, locust, as a proper name, or עָגַב, H6311, to love). A NT prophet from Judea (Jerusalem) who on two separate occasions by the Spirit made a prediction. At Antioch he formally predicted “a great famine over all the world” (οἰκουμένη, G3876, the civilized world). It caused the Antioch assembly to gather a relief offering for the Judean brethren (Acts 11:27, 28). The fulfillment “in the days of Claudius” (28) came in numerous severe local famines (Tac. Ann. XII. 43; Suetonius, Claudius, 18; Jos. Antiq., XX. ii. 5; v. 2).

On the third missionary journey, Agabus at Caesarea predicted, with vivid symbolic action, Paul’s fettering and delivery to the Gentiles if he proceeded to Jerusalem (Acts 21:10, 11). Not new to him (Acts 20:23; 21:4), the prediction failed to deter Paul.

Late tradition makes Agabus one of the Seventy and a Christian martyr.

Bibliography K. Lake, Beginnings of Christianity, V (1933), 452-455.