Son of Jacimus and grandson of Zamaris, both of whom governed the city of Bathyra in Trachonitis. Agrippa II. honored Philip with his friendship and made him leader of his troops (Josephus, "Ant." xvii. 2, § 3), so that when riots broke out in Jerusalem in 66 C.E., he was sent to the capital with a force of 2,000 cavalry, headed by Darius, to keep the city friendly to the Romans (Josephus, "B. J." ii. 17, § 4). After the defeat of the governor, Cestius Gallus, the Romans were obliged to retreat to the Acra, where Philip, together with Costobarus and Saul, assisted them. When this fort was carried by the Jews, Phillip fled to Jerusalem (ib. ii. 20, § 1), narrowly escaping death on the way at the hands of Menahem and his retainers. A severe fever which seized him in the vicinity of Gamala saved him from the plots of Varus, who was aiming at the throne; but the trickery of the latter compelled Philip's fellow countrymen to go to Gamala, which he earnestly endeavored to hold faithful to the Romans (Josephus, "Vita," § 11; comp. "B. J." ii. 18, § 6). Later, however, Gamala also revolted, whereupon Philip fled, and at Berytus complained to Agrippa, who restored to him his native town of Bathyra ("Vita," §§ 35-36). The Tyrians, who were hostile to Philip, accused him before Vespasian of having caused the defeat of Cestius in Jerusalem, whereupon he was sent to Rome to plead before Nero. He never saw the emperor (ib. § 74), however, and his subsequent history is unknown.
