Gevurot 14:12

12 And they were calling Bar-Nabba "Zeus" and Rav Sha’ul "Hermes," vi-bahlt (since) Rav Sha’ul was the main speaker.

Gevurot 14:12 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 14:12

And they called Barnabas Jupiter
The supreme God; it may be because that Barnabas was the oldest man, of the tallest stature, and largest bulk, and made the best figure; whereas Paul was younger, of a low stature, and mean appearance:

and Paul Mercurius,
because he was the chief speaker; Mercury was the god of eloquence, and the messenger of the gods, and the interpreter of their will ^F18; Paul being chiefly concerned in preaching and speaking to the people, they called him by the name of this God: the Jews had a doctor in their schools, whom they called (Myrbdmh vad) , "the chief of the speakers" ^F19.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Vid Macrob. Saturnal. l. 1. c. 17, 19.
F19 Juchasin, fol. 45. 2. & 46. 1.

Gevurot 14:12 In-Context

10 Rav Sha’ul said in a kol gadol, "Stand upright on your feet." And the man jumped up and was walking around. [Ezek 2:1]

11 And the multitudes, when they saw what Rav Sha’ul did, shouted in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The g-ds, having been made like anashim, have come down to us."

12 And they were calling Bar-Nabba "Zeus" and Rav Sha’ul "Hermes," vi-bahlt (since) Rav Sha’ul was the main speaker.

13 And the priest of Zeus was outside the city and brought bulls and flower wreaths to the gates; he and the multitudes wanted to offer pagan korbanot (sacrifices).

14 But having heard this, the Moshiach’s Shlichim Bar-Nabba and Rav Sha’ul tore their kaftans and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,