Chief

Chief - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

CHIEF, a.

1. Highest in office or rank; principal; as a chief priest; the chief butler. Gen 40:9.

Among the chief rulers, many believed on him. John 12.

2. Principal or most eminent, in any quality or action; most distinguished; having most influence; commanding most respect; taking the lead; most valuable; most important; a word of extensive use; as a country chief in arms.

The hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. Ezra 9.

Agriculture is the chief employment of men.

3. First in affection; most dear and familiar.

A whisperer separateth chief friends. Prov 16.

CHIEF, n.

1. A commander; particularly a military commander; the person who heads an army; equivalent to the modern terms, commander or general in chief, captain general, or generalissimo. 1 Chr 11.

2. The principal person of a tribe, family, or congregation, _c.

Num 3. Job 29. Math. 20.

3. In chief, in English law, in capite. To hold land in chief is to hold it directly from the king by honorable personal services.

4. In heraldry, chief signifies the head or upper part of the escutcheon, from side to side, representing a mans head. In chief, imports something borne in this part.

5. In Spenser, it seems to signify something like achievement, a mark of distinction; as, chaplets wrought with a chief.

6. This word is often used, in the singular number, to express a plurality.

I took the chief of your tribes, wise men and known, and made them heads over you. Deu 1:15.

These were the chief of the officers, that were over Solomons work. 1 Ki 9.

In these phrases, chief may have been primarily an adjective, that is, chief men, chief persons.

7. The principal part; the most or largest part, of one thing or of many.

The people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed. 1 Sam 15.

He smote the chief of their strength. Psa 68.

The chief of the debt remains unpaid.

CHIEF, adv. Chiefly.

Govern - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

GOV'ERN, v.t. [L. guberno. The L. guberno seems to be a compound.]

1. To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority; to keep within the limits prescribed by law or sovereign will. Thus in free states, men are governed by the constitution and laws; in despotic states, men are governed by the edicts or commands of a monarch. Every man should govern well his own family.

2. To regulate; to influence; to direct. This is the chief point by which he is to govern all his counsels and actions.

3. To control; to restrain; to keep in due subjection; as, to govern the passions or temper.

4. To direct; to steer; to regulate the course or motion of a ship. The helm or the helmsman governs the ship.

5. In grammar, to require to be in a particular case; as, a verb transitive governs a word in the accusative case; or to require a particular case; as, a verb governs the accusative case.

GOV'ERN, v.i. To exercise authority; to administer the laws. The chief magistrate should govern with impartiality.

1. To maintain the superiority; to have the control.

Governor - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(1.) Heb. nagid, a prominent, conspicuous person, whatever his capacity: as, chief of the royal palace (2 Chr. 28:7; comp. 1 Kings 4:6), chief of the temple (1 Chr. 9:11; Jer. 20:1), the leader of the Aaronites (1 Chr. 12:27), keeper of the sacred treasury (26:24), captain of the army (13:1), the king (1 Sam. 9:16), the Messiah (Dan. 9:25).

(2.) Heb. nasi, raised; exalted. Used to denote the chiefs of families (Num. 3:24, 30, 32, 35); also of tribes (2:3; 7:2; 3:32). These dignities appear to have been elective, not hereditary.

(3.) Heb. pakid, an officer or magistrate. It is used of the delegate of the high priest (2 Chr. 24:11), the Levites (Neh. 11:22), a military commander (2 Kings 25:19), Joseph's officers in Egypt (Gen. 41:34).

(4.) Heb. shallit, one who has power, who rules (Gen. 42:6; Ezra 4:20; Eccl. 8:8; Dan. 2:15; 5:29).

(5.) Heb. aluph, literally one put over a thousand, i.e., a clan or a subdivision of a tribe. Used of the "dukes" of Edom (Gen. 36), and of the Jewish chiefs (Zech. 9:7).

(6.) Heb. moshel, one who rules, holds dominion. Used of many classes of rulers (Gen. 3:16; 24:2; 45:8; Ps. 105:20); of the Messiah (Micah 5:2); of God (1 Chr. 29:12; Ps. 103:19).

(7.) Heb. sar, a ruler or chief; a word of very general use. It is used of the chief baker of Pharaoh (Gen. 40:16); of the chief butler (40:2, etc. See also Gen. 47:6; Ex. 1:11; Dan. 1:7; Judg. 10:18; 1 Kings 22:26; 20:15; 2 Kings 1:9; 2 Sam. 24:2). It is used also of angels, guardian angels (Dan. 10:13, 20, 21; 12:1; 10:13; 8:25).

(8.) Pehah, whence pasha, i.e., friend of the king; adjutant; governor of a province (2 Kings 18:24; Isa. 36:9; Jer. 51: 57; Ezek. 23:6, 23; Dan. 3:2; Esther 3: 12), or a perfect (Neh. 3:7; 5:14; Ezra 5:3; Hag. 1:1). This is a foreign word, Assyrian, which was early adopted into the Hebrew idiom (1 Kings 10:15).

(9.) The Chaldean word segan is applied to the governors of the Babylonian satrapies (Dan. 3:2, 27; 6:7); the prefects over the Magi (2:48). The corresponding Hebrew word segan is used of provincial rulers (Jer. 51:23, 28, 57); also of chiefs and rulers of the people of Jerusalem (Ezra 9:2; Neh. 2:16; 4:14, 19; 5:7, 17; 7:5; 12:40).

In the New Testament there are also different Greek words rendered thus.

(1.) Meaning an ethnarch (2 Cor. 11:32), which was an office distinct from military command, with considerable latitude of application.

(2.) The procurator of Judea under the Romans (Matt. 27:2). (Comp. Luke 2:2, where the verb from which the Greek word so rendered is derived is used.)

(3.) Steward (Gal. 4:2).

(4.) Governor of the feast (John 2:9), who appears here to have been merely an intimate friend of the bridegroom, and to have presided at the marriage banquet in his stead.

(5.) A director, i.e., helmsman; Lat. gubernator, (James 3:4).

Governor - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

GOV'ERNOR, n. He that governs, rules or directs; one invested with supreme authority. The Creator is the rightful governor of all his creatures.

1. One who is invested with supreme authority to administer or enforce the laws; the supreme executive magistrate of a state, commmunity, corporation or post. Thus, in America, each state has its governor; Canada has its governor.

2. A tutor; one who has the care of a young man; one who instructs him and forms his manners.

3. A pilot; one who steers a ship. James 3.

4. One possessing delegated authority. Joseph was governor over the land of Egypt. Obadiah was governor over Ahab's house. Damascus had a governor under Aretas the king.

Leader - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

LE'ADER, n.

1. One that leads or conducts; a guide; a conductor.

2. A chief; a commander; a captain.

3. One who goes first.

4. The chief of a party or faction; as the leader of the whigs or of the tories; a leader of the Jacobins.

5. a performer who leads a band or choir in music.

Musician, Chief - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(Heb. menatstseah), the precentor of the Levitical choir or orchestra in the temple, mentioned in the titles of fifty-five psalms, and in Hab. 3:19, Revised Version. The first who held this office was Jeduthun (1 Chr. 16:41), and the office appears to have been hereditary. Heman and Asaph were his two colleagues (2 Chr. 35:15).

Noble - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

NO'BLE, a.

1. Great; elevated; dignified; being above every thing that can dishonor reputation; as a nobel mind; a noble courage; noble deeds of valor.

2. Exalted; elevated; sublime.

Statues, with winding ivy crown'd, belong to nobler poets for a nobler song.

3. Magnificent; stately; splendid; as a noble parade; a noble edifice.

4. Of an ancient and splendid family; as nobel by descent.

5. Distinguished from commoners by rank and title; as a noble personage.

6. Free; generous; liberal; as a noble heart.

7. Principal; capital; as the noble parts of the body.

8. Ingenuous; candid; of an excellent disposition; ready to receive truth. Acts 17.

9. Of the best kind; choice; excellent; as a noble vine. Jer 2.

NO'BLE, n.

1. A person of rank above a commoner; a nobleman; a peer; as a duke, marquis, earl, viscount or baron.

2. In Scripture, a person of honorable family or distinguished by station. Exo 24. Neh 6.

3. Originally, a gold coin, but now a money of account, value 6s. 8d. sterling, or $1 48cts.

Nobleman - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(Gr. basilikos, i.e., "king's man"), an officer of state (John 4:49) in the service of Herod Antipas. He is supposed to have been the Chuza, Herod's steward, whose wife was one of those women who "ministered unto the Lord of their substance" (Luke 8:3). This officer came to Jesus at Cana and besought him to go down to Capernaum and heal his son, who lay there at the point of death. Our Lord sent him away with the joyful assurance that his son was alive.

Prince - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

The title generally applied to the chief men of the state. The "princes of the provinces" (1 Kings 20:14) were the governors or lord-lieutenants of the provinces. So also the "princes" mentioned in Dan. 6:1, 3, 4, 6, 7 were the officers who administered the affairs of the provinces; the "satraps" (as rendered in R.V.). These are also called "lieutenants" (Esther 3:12; 8:9; R.V., "satraps"). The promised Saviour is called by Daniel (9:25) "Messiah the Prince" (Heb. nagid); compare Acts 3:15; 5:31. The angel Micheal is called (Dan. 12:1) a "prince" (Heb. sar, whence "Sarah," the "princes").

Prince - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

PRINCE, n. prins. [L. princeps.]

1. In a general sense, a sovereign; the chief and independent ruler of a nation or state. Thus when we speak of the princes of Europe, we include emperors and kings. Hence, a chief in general; as a prince of the celestial host.

2. A sovereign in a certain territory; one who has the government of a particular state or territory, but holds of a superior to whom he owes certain services; as the princes of the German states.

3. The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal family; as princes of the blood. In England, the eldest son of the king is created prince of Wales.

4. The chief of any body of men.

5. A chief or ruler of either sex. Queen Elizabeth is called by Camden prince, but this application is unusual and harsh.

Prince of the senate, in ancient Rome, was the person first called in the roll of senators. He was always of consular and censorian

dignity.

In Scripture, this name prince is given to God, Dan 8; to Christ, who is called the prince of peace, Isa 9, and the prince of life, Acts 3; to the chief of the priests, the prince of the sanctuary, Isa 43; to the Roman emperor, Dan 9; to men of superior worth and excellence, Eccl 10; to nobles, counselors and officers of a kingdom, Isa 10; to the chief men of families or tribes, Num 17; to Satan, who is called the prince of this world, John 12., and prince of the power of the air, Eph 2.

PRINCE, v.i. To play the prince; to take state.

Princess - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

PRIN'CESS, n. A female sovereign, as an empress or queen.

1. A sovereign lady of rank next to that of a queen.

2. The daughter of a king.

3. The consort of a prince; as the princess of Wales.

Reign - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

REIGN, v.i. rane. [L. regno, a derivative of rego, regnum.]

1. To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to rule; to exercise government, as a king or emperor; or to hold the supreme power. George the third reigned over Great Britain more than fifty years.

Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness. Isa 32.

2. To be predominant; to prevail.

Pestilent diseases which commonly reign in summer or autumn.

3. To rule; to have superior or uncontrolled dominion. Rom 6.

[This word is never applied to the exercise of supreme power by a legislative body or the executive administration, in the United States.]

REIGN, n. rane. [L. regnum.]

1. Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty.

He who like a father held his reign.

2. The time during which a king, queen or emperor possesses the supreme authority. The Spanish armada was equipped to invade England in the reign of queen Elizabeth. Magna Charta was obtained in the reign of king John.

3. Kingdom; dominion.

Saturn's sons received the threefold reign of heav'n, of ocean, and deep hell beneath.

4. Power; influence.

5. Prevalence.

Rule - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

RULE, n. [L. regula, from rego, to govern, that is, to stretch, strain or make straight.]

1. Government; sway; empire; control; supreme command or authority.

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame. Prov 17.

And his stern rule the groaning land obey'd.

2. That which is established as a principle, standard or directory; that by which any thing is to be adjusted or regulated, or to which it is to be conformed; that which is settled by authority or custom for guidance and direction. Thus a statute or law is a rule of civil conduct; a canon is a rule of ecclesiastical government; the precept or command of a father is a rule of action or obedience to children; precedents in law are rules of decision to judges; maxims and customs furnish rules for regulating our social opinions and manners. The laws of God are rules for directing us in life, paramount to all others.

A rule which you do not apply, is no rule at all.

3. An instrument by which lines are drawn.

Judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust only to his rule.

4. Established mode or course of proceeding prescribed in private life. Every man should have some fixed rules for managing his own affairs.

5. In literature, a maxim, canon or precept to be observed in any art or science.

6. In monasteries, corporations or societies, a law or regulation to be observed by the society and its particular members.

7. In courts, rules are the determinations and orders of court, to be observed by its officers in conducting the business of the court.

8. In arithmetic and algebra, a determinate mode prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result.

9. In grammar, an establish form of construction in a particular class of words; or the expression of that form in words. Thus it is a rule in English, that s or es, added to a noun in the singular number, forms the plural of that noun; but man forms its plural men, and is an exception to the rule.

Rule of three, is that rule of arithmetic which directs, when three terms are given, how to find a fourth, which shall have the same ratio to the third term, as the second has to the first.

RULE, v.t.

1. To govern; to control the will and actions of others, either by arbitrary power and authority, or by established laws. The emperors of the east rule their subjects without the restraints of a constitution. In limited governments, men are ruled by known laws.

If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? 1 Tim 3.

2. To govern the movements of things; to conduct; to manage; to control. That God rules the world he has created, is a fundamental article of belief.

3. To manage; to conduct, in almost any manner.

4. To settle as by a rule.

That's a ruled case with the schoolmen.

5. To mark with lines by a ruler; as, to rule a blank book.

6. To establish by decree or decision; to determine; as a court.

RULE, v.i. To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority.

By me princes rule. Prov 8.

It is often followed by over.

They shall rule over their oppressors. Isa 14.

We subdue and rule over all other creatures.

Ruler - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

RU'LER, n.

1. One that governs, whether emperor, king, pope or governor; any one that exercises supreme power over others.

2. One that makes or executes laws in a limited or free government. Thus legislators and magistrates are called rulers.

3. A rule; an instrument of wood or metal with straight edges or sides, by which lines are drawn on paper, parchment or other substance. When a ruler has the lines of chords, tangents, sines, _c. it is called a plane scale.

Tirshatha - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

A word probably of Persian origin, meaning "severity," denoting a high civil dignity. The Persian governor of Judea is so called (Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65, 70). Nehemiah is called by this name in Neh. 8:9; 10:1, and the "governor" (pehah) in 5:18. Probably, therefore, tirshatha=pehah=the modern pasha.

chef: The English word is in the King James Version of Old Testament the translation of some 17 different Hebrew words, most frequently of ro'sh, "head," sar, "prince," and re'shith, "beginning." The principal changes made by the Revised Version (British and American) are:

(1) Hebrew beth'abh, "house of a father," being recognized as a technical term denoting a subdivision of a tribe, ro'sh is rendered literally "head," when it occurs in connection with this phrase, so that "chief fathers" (Num 31:26) and "chief of the fathers" (Ezr 1:5) become "heads of fathers' houses";

(2) Hebrew naghidh and nasi' are more accurately translated "prince" in such passages as 1Ch 5:2; Nu 3:32;

(3) the misinterpretations which brought about the translation "chief" for 'atsilim, "corners," Isa 41:9, and for ma`aleh, "ascent," in 2Ch 32:33, are corrected.

In the New Testament "chief" is in most of its appearances the translation of Greek protos, "first"; the Revised Version (British and American) reads "first" for the King James Version "chief," "chiefest," in Mt 20:27; Mr 10:44; Ac 16:12. The reading in the latter passage is a difficult one, but the King James Version "Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia," seems to imply a political authority which Philippi did not possess; the Revised Version (British and American) "a city of Macedonia, the first of the district." Greek archon, "prince," "ruler," is rendered by the King James Version "chief," by the Revised Version (British and American) "prince," in Lu 11:15; the King James Version "chief Pharisees," the Revised Version (British and American) "rulers of the Pharisees," in Lu 14:1.

The original meaning of "chief" having been weakened, the comparative and superlative were admitted into English, the latter only appearing in the King James Version or the Revised Version: 1Sa 2:29; So 5:10; 2Co 11:5, etc. On "chief of Asia" (Ac 19:31 the King James Version) see ASIARCH.

F. K. Farr

guv'-er-ner: The word "governor" is employed in English Versions of the Bible in rendering a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. In certain cases strict consistency is neither observed nor possible.

1. In the Old Testament:

In the rendering of Hebrew terms account has naturally been taken of the translations offered in Septuagint, which, being the work of different hands, is both uneven in quality and inconsistent. But there are inherent difficulties which can never be entirely overcome. First and most important, there is the difficulty arising from our ignorance of many details of the government of the oriental nations to which the terms apply. Hardly less is the embarrassment occasioned by the vague employment of words in indiscriminate reference to persons of superior rank and somehow exercising authority. There is consequently much confusion in the use of titles such as "deputy," "duke," "judge," "lawgiver," "overseer" "prince" "ruler" etc. for which the student may consult the special articles.

(1) alluwph or `alluph, "governor" (the Revised Version (British and American) "chieftain") in Judah (Zec 9:7; 12:5 f).

(2) choqeq (Jud 5:9; 5:14, the King James Version margin"or lawgivers"). The word is variously rendered with "ruler" or "lawgiver" in English Versions of the Bible of Ge 49:10; De 33:21; Isa 33:22.

(3) moshel, participle of mashal, "to be master," "to rule" (Ge 45:26, the Revised Version (British and American) "ruler").

(4) nasi' (2Ch 1:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "prince").

(5) caghan (Da 3:2; Jer 51:23, the Revised Version, margin "or lieutenants"; Jer 51:28,57; Eze 23:6,12,23). The same word is rendered "rulers" or "deputies" (Isa 41:25; Ezr 9:2; Ne 2:16; 5:7; 7:5; 12:40).

(6) pechah, is variously used:

(a) of the military governor of a province among the Assyrians (Isa 36:9);

(b) among the Chaldees (Eze 23:6,23; Jer 51:23,18,57);

(c) among the Persians (Es 3:12; 8:9; 9:3);

(d) of the governor-general of the province beyond the River (Euphrates) (Ezr 8:36; Ne 2:7:9);

(e) of Nehemiah as subordinate "governor in the land of Judah" under him (Ne 5:14);

(f) of Zerubbabel as "governor of Judah" (Hag 1:1,14; 2:2,21); (g) of Solomon's governors (1Ki 10:15; 20:24 (in Syria)).

(7) paqidh (Jer 20:1, the Revised Version (British and American) "chief officer"). Elsewhere it is rendered "overseer" or "officer" (compare Ge 41:34; 2Ki 25:19; Ne 11:9,22).

(8) sar "governor of the city" (1Ki 22:26). Elsewhere commonly rendered "prince."

(9) shalliT (Ge 42:6). Elsewhere rendered "ruler" or "captain."

(10) tirshatha' the Revised Version (British and American) "the governor," the King James Version "the Tirshatha" (Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:70).

See TIRSHATHA.

2. In the New Testament:

The word "governor" in English Versions of the Bible represents an almost equal variety of Greek words. Here again the usage is for the most part lax and untechnical; but since reference is chiefly had to officers of the Roman imperial administration, concerning which we possess ample information, no embarrassment is thereby occasioned. The words chiefly in use for "governor" are derived from root ag-, "drive," "lead":

(1) hegeomai, "lead" (Mt 2:6; of Joseph as grand vizier of Egypt, Ac 7:10).

(2) hegemon, "leader" (Mt 10:18; 1Pe 2:14; of Pilate, Mt 27:2,11,14,15,21,27; of Felix, Ac 23:24,26,33; of Festus, Ac 24:1,10; 26:30).

(3) hegemoneuo, "function as leader" (Lu 2:2; of Pilate, Lu 3:1).

To these are added terms of more specific meaning:

(4) ethnarches, "ethnarch" or "ruler of a nation" (2Co 11:32).

See GOVERNMENT, 6, 7.

(5) euthuno "direct," "guide" (Jas 3:4). Here the Revised Version (British and American) properly render it "steersman."

(6) architriklinos, "president of a banquet" (Joh 2:8 f, the American Standard Revised Version "ruler of the feast ").

(7) oikonomos, "steward," "manager of a household or estate" (Ga 4:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "stewards").

It is thus seen that in the New Testament "governor" in the political sense occurs chiefly in reference to the Roman procurators of Judea--Pilate, Felix, and Festus. See PILATE; FELIX; FESTUS. It remains for us here to speak briefly of the government of Roman provinces.

Latin provincia signifies a magistrate's sphere of duty or authority, either

(a) judicially or legally, defining the scope of his competence, or

(b) geographically, designating the territorial limits within which he may exercise authority.

It is in the latter sense that we are now considering the word. When, in the 3rd century BC, Rome began to rule conquered lands outside Italy, each territory was set under the authority of a single magistrate, and hence came to be called a "province." Conquered territories left under the rule of native princes or kings were not so designated, although their government was practically directed by Rome. At first provinces were governed by proconsuls or proprietors (i.e. ex-consuls or ex- praetors); but with the steady multiplication of provinces various expedients became necessary in order to provide governors of suitable rank and dignity. Thus, the number of praetors was largely augmented, and the term of possible service as governor was extended. Under Augustus the provinces were parceled out between the emperor and the senate, the former reserving for himself such as seemed to require the maintenance of a considerable armed force. In these the emperor was himself proconsul. Early in the Empire imperial provinces of a different type appear, in which the emperor, regarded as sovereign proprietor, governs by a viceroy (praefectus) or steward (procurator). In some of these, tributary kings or princes ruled with the emperor's representative--a legatus or a procurator--by their side, much as England now rules Egypt. Among the provinces so ruled were Egypt and Judea, partly, no doubt, because of their strategic position, partly because of the temper of their inhabitants.

William Arthur Heidel

mu-zish'-an.

See ASAPH; MUSIC; PSALMS.

no'-b'-l, no'-b'-lz, no'-b'-l-man (chorim, 'addir; eugenes, Kratistos, basilikos): "Nobles" is the translation of the Hebrew chorim (occurring only in the plural), "free-born," "noble" (1Ki 21:8,11; Ne 2:16; 6:17, etc.); of 'addir, "begirded," "mighty," "illustrious" or "noble" (Jud 5:13; 2Ch 23:20, etc.); of nadhibh, "liberal," "a noble" (Nu 21:18; Pr 8:16, etc.).

Other words are gadhol, "great" (Jon 3:7); yaqqir, Aramaic "precious" (Ezr 4:10); naghidh, "a leader" (Job 29:10); partemim, "foremost ones" (Es 1:3; 6:9); atsilim, "those near," "nobles" (Ex 24:11); bariah, "fugitive" (Isa 43:14); kabhedh, "weighty," "honored" (Ps 149:8); eugenes, "wellborn" (Ac 17:11; 1Co 1:26); kratistos, "strongest," "most powerful" (Ac 24:3; 26:25).

The Apocrypha, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), still further enlarges the list. In the Revised Version (British and American) we have megistanes, "great ones" (1 Esdras 1:38; 8:26, with entimos, "in honor"; The Wisdom of Solomon 18:12). Otherwise the Revised Version's uses of "noble," and "nobleness" are for words containing the root genitive and referring to birth (compare The Wisdom of Solomon 8:3; 2 Macc 6:27,31; 12:42; 14:42 twice). The King James Version's uses are wider (Judith 2:2, etc.).

Nobleman is, in Lu 19:12, the translation of eugenes anthropos, "a man well born," and in Joh 4:46,49 of basilikos, "kingly," "belonging to a king," a designation extended to the officers, courtiers, etc., of a king, the Revised Version margin "king's officer"; he was probably an official, civil or military, of Herod Antipas, who was styled "king" (basileus).

For "nobles" (Isa 43:14), the King James Version "have brought down all their nobles," the Revised Version (British and American) has "I will bring down all of them as fugitives," margin "or, as otherwise read, all their nobles even," etc.; for "nobles" (Jer 30:21), "prince"; the English Revised Version has "worthies" for "nobles" (Na 3:18); the Revised Version (British and American) has "the noble" for "princes" (Pr 17:26): "nobles" for "princes" (Job 34:18; Da 1:3), for "Nazarites" (La 4:7, margin "Nazirites"); "her nobles" for "his fugitives," margin "or, as other otherwise read, fugitives" (Isa 15:5); the American Standard Revised Version has "noble" for "liberal" (Isa 32:5); for "The nobles held their peace," the King James Version margin "The voice of the nobles was hid" (Job 29:10), the Revised Version (British and American) has "The voice of the nobles was hushed," margin "Hebrew: hid"; for "most noble" (Ac 24:3; 26:25), "most excellent."

W. L. Walker

prins: This word occurs quite frequently in our English Bible, mostly in the Old Testament. While it is never used to denote royal parentage (compare 1Ch 29:24), it often indicates actual royal or ruling power, together with royal dignity and authority. As a rule, the name is given to human beings; in a few instances it is applied to God and Christ, the angels and the devil.

In Mt 2:6 the word rendered "princes" might be translated "princely cities"; at least, this seems to be implied. Here the term hegemon, "leader," "ruler," "prince," is used, undoubtedly to hint at the fact that Bethlehem was the native city of a great prince. In the other New Testament passages the word archon, "a potentate," "a person in authority," "a magistrate," occurs most frequently (compare Mt 9:34; 12:24; 20:25 (the Revised Version (British and American) "ruler"); Mr 3:22; Joh 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 1Co 2:6,8 the King James Version; Eph 2:2; Re 1:5 (the Revised Version (British and American) "ruler")). In most of these instances the term "prince" refers to the devil.

In Ac 3:15; 5:31, the word archegos, "leader," is employed referring to Christ as the author of life and salvation (compare Heb 12:2, where the term archegos is rendered "author" (Revised Version) or "captain" (Revised Version margin)).

The Old Testament contains a number of different words mostly rendered "prince" or "princes" in the English Versions of the Bible.

(1) sar: In Jos 5:14 the mysterious armed stranger seen by Joshua near Jericho calls himself the "prince of the host of Yahweh": a high military title applied to a superhuman being. In Isa 9:6, the name is given to the child representing the future Messiah. The term "Prince of Peace" denotes the eminent position and the peaceful reign of the Messianic king: the highest human title in its most ideal sense. Da 8:11: here, again, as in Jos 5:14, occurs the phrase "prince of the host." In Da 8:25 "the prince of princes" refers to God Himself: the highest human title in its absolute sense applied to God. Da 10:21: "Michael your prince." Michael the archangel is here called the prince of the Jewish people. He is the princely representative of God's people in the sight of God, a royal title suggesting high power and alliance with God in the great struggle going on between Him and the powers of darkness. Da 12:1: here Michael is called "the great prince" who standeth for the children of Israel; supplementing Da 10:21. In Da 10:13: "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" (compare 10:20, "the prince of Persia," "the prince of Greece"), the expression is used in the same general sense as in Da 10:21. Each individual nation is represented as guided by a spiritual being that may or may not be an ally of God in His combat with the devil. In the majority of cases, though, the term sar is applied

(a) to men exercising royal or ruling power: Pr 8:16: "By me princes (margin "or rulers") rule" Isa 32:1: "Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice." Judicial power is included (compare Ex 2:14: "Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?" and Ps 148:11: "princes and all judges of the earth"). In some passages the word sar, having been rendered "prince," stands for "chief"; so Jud 7:25: "They took the two princes of Midian" (compare Jud 8:14; 1Sa 29:4; 2Sa 10:3, etc.).

(b) To royal officers of a high rank: Ge 12:15: "the princes of Pharaoh" (compare 2Ki 24:14: "Jerus and all the princes"; 1Ch 29:24; 2Ch 24:23; Jer 36:21; 52:10; Ho 5:10, etc.). "Ambassadors" (Jer 36:14); "governors" (1Ki 20:14 "By the young men (margin "or, servants") of the princes of the provinces"; compare Es 1:3,14, "the seven princes"); "the chief of the eunuchs" (Da 1:7); a "quartermaster" (Jer 51:59 "Seraiah was chief chamberlain" (margin "or, quartermaster")). The King James Version renders it "a quiet prince," i.e. a prince having rest, instead of procuring rest (sar menuchah, "a sar of rest"). In post-exilic times: Ezr 9:1: "The princes drew near unto me." They were the political leaders of the people (compare Ezr 10:8: "the princes and the elders"; Ne 9:38: "our princes, our Levites, and our priests"; Ne 11:1: "The princes of the people dwelt in Jerus"; Ne 12:31: "the princes of Judah"). Of course, they were all subject to the authority of the Persian kings.

(c) To the priesthood: 1Ch 24:5: "princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God" (of Isa 43:28).

(d) On account of great achievements: 2Sa 3:38: "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?"--an honorary title. Generally speaking, a prince is a wealthy man (compare Job 34:19: "That respecteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor"), and he is a prominent man embodying true, although mortal, manhood (compare Ps 82:7: "Nevertheless ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes).

(2) nasi': usually derived from nasa', "to lift," hence, "exalted"; otherwise: a "speaker."

(a) An honorary title (compare Ge 23:6: "Thou art a prince of God among us." The distinction is conferred upon Abraham by the children of Heth).

(b) A name given to the heads of the Israelite tribes, families and fathers' houses: Nu 3:24: "the prince of the fathers' house of the Gershonites" (compare 3:30,35); 3:32: "Eleazar .... shall be prince of the princes of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary"; Nu 4:34: "the princes of the congregation." They seem to be identical with the "rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens" (compare Ex 18:21; Nu 16:2). Nu 7:2: "the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers' houses .... the princes of the tribes" (compare 17:2,6; 34:18; Jos 22:14; 1Ch 4:38).

(c) Equivalent to chief or king: Ge 17:20: "Twelve princes shall he beget" (compare 25:16); Ge 34:2: "Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land"; Nu 25:18: "Cozbi, the daughter of the prince of Midian" (compare Jos 13:21); 1Ki 11:34: "I will make him prince all the days of his life." This was said of Solomon, which shows the term equivalent to king. Of special interest is the use of the word nasi' in Ezekiel. The name is given to the Jewish king (compare 12:10: "This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem"). Then, again, it is applied to the future theocratic king (compare 34:24; 37:25, etc., and especially chapters 45; 46). It is also used of foreign potentates and high officers (compare 26:16: "the princes of the sea"; 28:2: "the prince of Tyre"; 30:13: "a prince from the land of Egypt"); 32:29: "Edom, her kings and all her princes"; and, likewise, of high Jewish officers (21:12).

(d) A title bestowed upon Sheshbazzar (Ezr 1:8).

(3) nadhibh: 1Sa 2:8: "To make them sit with princes" (compare Ps 113:8). The original meaning of the term is willing or obliging; then generous ("liberal"; compare Pr 19:6: "Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man"; yet, it might safely be rendered here "prince", margin) or noble-minded; a gentleman, a nobleman, a person of rank, a prince. Job 12:21: "He poureth contempt upon princes" (compare Ps 107:40); Job 21:28: "Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?" The context here suggests the thought of a wicked prince, a tyrant. Ps 47:9: "The princes of the peoples are gathered together" (compare Ps 118:9; 146:3; Pr 17:7; 25:7; So 7:1).

(4) naghidh: According to Gesenius, this term denotes originally either a high-minded person (compare the preceding word, nadhibh) or a speaker, a spokesman; then a prince, a king. 1Sa 13:14: "Yahweh hath appointed him to be prince over his people" (compare 2Sa 5:2: "Thou shalt be prince (the Revised Version margin "leader") over Israel"; 6:21; 7:8; 1Ki 1:35; 14:7; 16:2; Job 29:9; 31:37; Ps 76:12; Pr 28:16; Eze 28:2: "prince of Tyre"; Da 9:25: "the anointed one, the prince," the King James Version the "Messiah the Prince"; Da 9:26: "the prince that shall come" (the Roman emperor?); 11:22: "the prince of the covenant" (either a high priest or some Egyptian king, Ptolemeus Philometor?).

(5), (6) razon, and rozen, "a high official," "a prince," usually associated with the word "king" or "judge." Pr 14:28: "In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince" (razon); Jud 5:3: "Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes" (rozenim); Pr 8:15: "By me kings reign, and princes (rozenim) decree justice" (compare 31:4; Hab 1:10); Isa 40:23: "that bringeth princes (rozenim) to nothing; that maketh the judges of the earth as vanity."

(7) nacikh, derived from nacakh, "to install a king" (compare Ps 2:6); hence, a prince: Jos 13:21: "the princes of Sihon" (compare Ps 83:11); Eze 32:30: "the princes of the north"; Mic 5:5: the Revised Version (British and American) "principal men," the Revised Version margin "princes among men"; Da 11:8: the Revised Version (British and American) "molten images," the Revised Version margin "princes."

(8) qatsin, "a judge," "a military leader," "a prince"; Da 11:18: "A prince (the Revised Version margin "captain") shall cause the reproach .... to cease" (probably a Roman consul; a Roman general?).

(9) shalish: The usual explanation, "one of the three men on a war-chariot" is highly improbable; Gesenius suggests that it is a loan-word, and renders it "hero." Eze 23:15: "All of them princes to look upon" ("picked men," Gesenius).

(10) chashmannim: Ps 68:31: "Princes shall come out of Egypt." Septuagint renders it presbeis, "ambassadors," Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) legati. But the meaning is uncertain.

See also GOVERNOR, 1, (8).

William Baur

prin'-ses: The Hebrew term is sarah (compare sar, prince, and "Sarah"); it means

(1) a queen (Isa 49:23, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) both "queen");

(2) the consort of a king contrasted with his concubines (1Ki 11:3, "He had seven hundred wives. princesses, and three hundred concubines");

(3) the wife of a prince (Es 1:18 the "princesses of Persia and Media");

(4) it is metaphorically used of the city of Jerusalem (La 1:1).

pro-kon'-sul (anthupatos (Ac 13:7; 18:12); the King James Version deputy).

See PROVINCE.

ran: The Hebrew word malekhuth, may be rendered "kinghood," "royal dignity," "kingdom," "government" ("reign"). The verb is malakh, "to be king" ("to reign as king"), "to become king," "to accede to the throne," "to assume royal power publicly" and, generally speaking, "to become powerful." In the New Testament hegemonia, basileia, basileuein. The word is used, either as a noun or as a verb, of Yahweh (God), the Messiah (Christ) and men (kings, etc.); then of such terms as sin, death, grace; of the woman in Revelation and, conditionally, of the Christians; once, ironically, of the Corinthians. "Reign" as a noun referring to the time of reigning occurs in 1Ki 6:1 (Solomon); 2Ki 24:12 (Nebuchadnezzar); 1Ch 4:31 (David; compare 1Ch 29:30); 2Ch 36:20 ("until the reign of the kingdom of Persia"); Ne 12:22 (Darius); Es 2:16 (Ahasuerus); Lu 3:1 (Tiberius Caesar). More often occurs the verb "to reign," malakh, basileuein. It is applied to:

(1) Yahweh at the close of the song of Moses (Ex 15:18); "Yahweh reigneth" (1Ch 16:31; compare Ps 93:1; 96:10; 99:1; Re 19:6); "God reigneth over the nations" (Ps 47:8); "Yahweh of hosts will reign in mount Zion" (Isa 24:23; compare Mic 4:7); "Thy God reigneth" (Isa 52:7); "Thou hast taken thy great power and didst reign" (Re 11:17, meaning probably "thou didst assume thy might");

(2) the Messiah (Christ) as a just and righteous king (Jer 23:5); an eternal king (Lu 1:33; compare Re 11:15); punishing and subduing His enemies (Lu 19:14,27; 1Co 15:25).

(3) Men (kings, etc.), in regard to the source of their power ("By me (i.e. the wisdom of God), kings reign" (Pr 8:15)); respecting legitimate succession (2Ch 23:3); meaning "to have power or dominion" (Ge 37:8 and Job 34:30); in regard to an essential characteristic (Isa 32:1); in connection with the covenant of Yahweh with David (Jer 33:21); then the word is used in 1Sa 12:12, where Samuel reminds the children of Israel of their demanding a king of him (compare verse 14); of Saul (1Sa 13:1; compare 1Sa 11:12); of Saul's son Ish-bosheth (2Sa 2:10); of David (2Sa 5:4 f; compare 2Sa 3:21); of Adonijah (1Ki 1:11,24; compare 1Ki 2:15); of Solomon (1Ki 1:13); quite frequently of the kings of Judah and Israel (in the Books of Kings and Chronicles); of the kings of Edom (Ge 36:31); of Jabin, king of Canaan, in Razor (Jud 4:2); of Abimelech, Jerubbaal's son, in Jotham's fable (Jud 9:8-15); of Hanun, king of the Ammonites (2Sa 10:1); of Rezon and his men in Damascus (1Ki 11:24); of Hazael and Ben-hadad, kings of Syria (2Ki 8:15, 13:24); of Esar-haddon, king of Assyria (2Ki 19:37); of Ahasuerus, king of Persia (Es 1:1); of Archelaus (Mt 2:22).

(4) In the New Testament the term basileuein, "to reign," is used to illustrate and emphasize the power of sin, death and grace (Ro 5:14,17,21; 6:12). Sin, the vitiating mental factor, is to be looked upon as being constantly and resolutely bent on maintaining or regaining its hold upon man, its power being exercised and reinforced by the lusts of the body. Death, the logical outcome of sin, at once testifies to the power of sin and its inherent corruption, while grace is the restoring spiritual factor following up and combating everywhere and always the pernicious influence of sin. It strives to dethrone sin, and to establish itself in man as the only dominating force.

(5) In describing the future glorious state of the believers, the New Testament uses the expression of those who endure (in faith; compare 2Ti 2:12); of those `purchased unto God with the blood of the Lamb' (Re 5:10); of those partaking in the first resurrection (Re 20:6); of the servants of God, "they shall reign for ever and ever" (Re 22:5); on the other hand, it teaches us not to anticipate the privileges of heaven, while our Christian life is anything but satisfactory (1Co 4:8), and Re 17:18 shows us the terrible fate of the woman, the great city (the corrupt church), "which reigneth over the kings of the earth."

See further KING, KINGDOM.

William Baur

rool'-er:

1. In the Old Testament:

(1) moshel, "ruler," "prince," "master" (tyrant), applied to Joseph in Egypt (Ge 45:8; compare Ps 105:21); to the Philistines (Jud 15:11); to David's descendants, the future kings of Israel (2Ch 7:18; compare Jer 33:26); to Pharaoh (Ps 105:20); to a wicked prince, a tyrant (Pr 28:15; compare Isa 14:5; 49:7); to theocratic king, the Messiah (Mic 5:2); it is often used in general (Pr 6:7; 23:1; 29:12; Ec 10:4; Isa 16:1, etc.).

(2) naghidh, "leader," "noble" (nobles), "prince." In a number of instances the Revised Version (British and American) renders it "prince," where the King James Version has ruler (1Sa 25:30; 2Sa 6:21; 1Ki 1:35, etc.). It is used of Azrikam having charge of the palace of King Ahaz (2Ch 28:7, "governor" of the house, the King James Version); of Azariah (Seraiah, Ne 11:11), who is called the "ruler of the house of God" (1Ch 9:11; compare 2Ch 31:13); he was the leader of a division or group of priests. In 2Ch 35:8 the names of three others are given (Hilkiah, Zechariah and Jehiel).

(3) nasi, "prince" (so Nu 13:2, the King James Version "ruler"); generally speaking, the nasi' is one of the public authorities (Ex 22:28); the rulers of the congregation (Ex 16:22; compare 34:31); "The rulers brought the onyx stones" (Ex 35:27), as it was to be expected from men of their social standing and financial ability: "when a ruler (the head of a tribe or tribal division) sinneth" (Le 4:22).

(4) caghan, the representative of a king or a prince; a vice-regent; a governor; then, in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah, a leader or principal of the people of Jerusalem under the general supervision of these two men. The English Versions of the Bible renders it "ruler" (Eze 23:12,23), "deputy" (Jer 51:23,28,57), and, in most cases, "ruler" with "deputy" in margin (Ezr 9:2; Ne 2:16; 4:14,19; 5:7,17; 7:5; 12:40; 13:11; Isa 41:25; Eze 23:6) always used in plural

(5) qatsin, "a judge" or "magistrate" (Isa 1:10; 3:6,7; 22:3; Mic 3:1,9); "a military chief" (Jos 10:24).

(6) rodheh, one having dominion: "There is little Benjamin their ruler" (Ps 68:27); the meaning is obscure; still we may point to the facts that Saul, the first one to conquer the heathen (1Sa 14:47 f), came of this the smallest of all the tribes, and that within its boundaries the temple of Yahweh was erected.

(7) rozen, a "dignitary," a "prince." "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh" (Ps 2:2); in the New Testament the word is rendered archontes (Ac 4:26).

(8) sar, "chief," "head"; prince, king; a nobleman having judicial or other power; a royal officer. The Revised Version (British and American) renders it frequently "prince": "rulers over my cattle" ("head-shepherds," Ge 47:6); "rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds," etc. (Ex 18:21); they had to be men of good character because they were endowed with judicial power (Ex 18:22); in De 1:15 the rendering of English Versions of the Bible is captains," etc.; they were military leaders. "Zebul the ruler of the city" (of Shechem, Jud 9:30), meaning "governor" (compare 1Ki 22:26; 2Ki 23:8); "rulers (or captains; compare 1Ki 16:9) of his (Solomon's) chariots" (1Ki 9:22); the rulers of Jezreel (2Ki 10:1) were, presumably, the ruler of the palace of the king and the ruler of the city of Samaria (compare 2Ki 10:5). It is difficult to explain why they should be called the rulers of Jezreel; both Septuagint and Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) omit the word; "the rulers of the substance which was king David's" (1Ch 27:31) overseers of the royal domain; "The rulers were behind all the house of Judah" (Ne 4:16), the officers were ready to assume active command in case of an attack.

(9), (10) shilTon, "a commander," "an officer": "the rulers of the provinces" (Da 3:2 f); shalliT, "a person in power," "a potentate" (Da 2:10); there seems to be little doubt that the Aramaic term is used as an adjective (compare the Revised Version margin); in Da 5:7 occurs the verb shelaT, "to have dominion," "he shall rule as the third in rank" (compare 5:16,29).

(11) maghen, "shield": "Her rulers (shields) dearly love shame" (Ho 4:18). Perhaps we ought to read (with Septuagint) migge'onam, "their glory," and to translate it "they love shame more than their glory"; they would rather have a good (!) time than a good name.

2. In the Apocrypha:

(1) archon, used of the "rulers" of the Spartans (1 Macc 14:20) and, in a general sense, of the priest Mattathias (1 Macc 2:17). the King James Version has the word also in a general sense in Sirach 41:18 (the Revised Version (British and American) "mighty man").

(2) hegoumenos, "one leading the way." A quite general term, Sirach 10:2 (ruler of a city); 17:17 (of Gentile nations); 46:18 (of the Tyrians). Also 2:17 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "he that ruleth"), and Sirach 32:1 the Revised Version (British and American) ("ruler of a feast," the King James Version "master").

(3) hoi megistanes, a rare word found only in the plural, for "rulers of the congregation" (Sirach 33:18). The same word in Mr 6:21 is translated "lords."

(4) 2 Macc 4:27 the King James Version for eparchos (the Revised Version (British and American) "governor").

(5) The King James Version inserts the word without Greek equivalent in 1 Macc 6:14; 11:57; 2 Macc 13:2.

3. In the New Testament:

(1) archon, "a person in authority," "a magistrate" "a judge," "a prince"; a councilor, a member of the supreme council of the Jews; a man of influence. "There came a ruler" (Mt 9:18), meaning a ruler of the synagogue (compare Mr 5:22; Lu 8:41); see (2) below; "one of the rulers of the Pharisees" (Lu 14:1), perhaps a member of the Jewish council belonging, at the same time, to the Pharisees, or, more probably, one of the leading Pharisees; "the chief priests and the rulers" (Lu 23:13,15; 24:20; compare Joh 3:1; 7:26,48; 12:42; Ac 3:17; 4:5,8; 13:27; 14:5); the rulers were, with the chief priests and the scribes, members of the Sanhedrin, either of two councils of the Jews (the Great and the Lesser); they were lay-members (elders); "before the rulers" (Ac 16:19), the police magistrates (praetores, "praetors") of the city of Philippi; "Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people" (Ac 23:5; compare Ex 22:28, nasi'; see 1, (3) above), a magistrate, a person in authority (compare Ac 7:27,35; Ro 13:3, the public authorities); "the rulers of this world" (1Co 2:6,8), persons being mentally superior to their fellow-men, and so having great influence in shaping their opinions and directing their actions.

(2) archisundgogos, "ruler of the synagogue." He was the presiding officer of a board of elders, who had charge of the synagogue. Sometimes they, also, were given the same name (compare "one of the rulers of the synagogue," Mr 5:22,35; Lu 8:41,49; in Mt 9:18 Jairus is simply called archon); the ruler mentioned in Lu 13:14 was, of course, the president of the board (compare Ac 18:17, Sosthenes), while in Ac 13:15 the phrase "rulers of the synagogue" simply signifies the board. It was a deliberative body, but at the same time responsible for the maintenance of good order in the synagogue and the orthodoxy of its members; having, therefore, disciplinary power, they were authorized to reprimand, and even to excommunicate, the guilty ones (compare Joh 9:22; 12:42; 16:2).

(3) architriklinos, the ruler ("steward," the Revised Version margin) of the feast (Joh 2:8,9). See separate article.

(4) kosmokrator, a "world-ruler" (Eph 6:12). The angels of the devil (Mt 25:41; 12:45) or Satan, the prince of this world (Joh 12:31), participate in his power; they are his tools, their sphere of action being "this darkness," i.e. the morally corrupt state of our present existence.

(5) politarches; the prefect of a city (Ac 17:6,8). Luke being the only one of the Biblical authors to hand down to us this word, it is a noteworthy fact that, in relatively modern times, a Greek inscription Was discovered containing this very word and, moreover, having reference to the city of Thessalonica (AJT, 1898, II, 598-643). Here it was where Paul and Silas preached the gospel so successfully that the Jews, "being moved with jealousy," caused Jason and certain brethren to be dragged before the rulers of the city (epi tous politarchas). These magistrates suffered themselves to be made the tools of the unscrupulous Jews by demanding and getting security from Jason and the rest.

William Baur

ter-sha'-tha, tur'-sha-tha (tirshatha'; Hathersatha): A title which occurs 5 times in Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:65, the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version margin "governor"). In Ne 8:9; 10:1, Nehemiah is called the tirshatha'. In Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:65,70, it is the title of Sheshbazzar, or Zerubbabel. As in Ne 12:26, Nehemiah is called a pechah, or governor, a title which in Ezr 5:14 is given to Sheshbazzar also, it has been supposed that pechah and tirshatha' were equivalent terms, the former being of Assyrio-Babylonian and the latter of Persian origin. According to Lagarde, it comes from the Bactrian antarekshatra, that is, "he who takes the place of the king." According to Meyer and Scheftelowitz it is a modified form of a hypothetical Old Persian word tarsata. According to Gesenius and Ewald, it is to be compared with the Persian torsh, "severe," "austere," i.e. "stern lord." It seems more probable that it is derived from the Babylonian root rashu, "to take possession of," from which we get the noun rashu, "creditor." In this case it may well have had the sense of a tax-collector. One of the principal duties of the Persian satrap, or governor, was to assess and collect the taxes (see Rawlinson's Persia, chapter viii). This would readily account for the fact that in Ne 7:70 the tirshatha' gave to the treasure to be used in the building of the temple a thousand drachms of gold, etc., and that in Ezr 1:8 Cyrus numbered the vessels of the house of the Lord unto Sheshbazzar. This derivation would connect it with the Aramaic rashya, "creditor," and the New Hebrew rashuth, "highest power," "magistrate."

R. Dick Wilson

1. The chief of a tribe or family.
2. A ruler in his capacity of lawgiver and dispenser of justice.
3. A ruler consider especially as having power over the property and persons of his subjects. (Genesis 24:2; Joshua 12:2; Psalms 100:20) The "governors of the people," in (2 Chronicles 23:20) appear to have been the king’s body-guard; cf. (2 Kings 11:19)
4. A prominent personage, whatever his capacity. It is applied to a king as the military and civil chief of his people, (2 Samuel 5:2; 6:21; 1 Chronicles 29:22) to the general of an army, (2 Chronicles 32:21) and to the head of a tribe. (2 Chronicles 19:11) It denotes an officer of high rank in the palace, the lord high chamberlain. (2 Chronicles 28:7) It is applied in (1 Kings 10:15) to the petty chieftains who were tributary to Solomon, (2 Chronicles 9:14) to the military commander of the Syrians, (1 Kings 20:24) the Assyrians, (2 Kings 18:24; 23:8) the Chaldeans, (Jeremiah 51:23) and the Medes. (Jeremiah 51:38) Under the Persian viceroys, during the Babylonian captivity, the land of the Hebrews appears to have been portioned out among "governors" (pachoth) inferior in rank to the satraps, (Ezra 8:30) like the other provinces which were under the dominion of the Persian king. (Nehemiah 2:7,9) It is impossible to determine the precise limits of their authority or the functions which they had to perform. It appears from (Ezra 6:8) that these governors were intrusted with the collection of the king’s taxes; and from (Nehemiah 5:18; 12:26) that they were supported by a contribution levied upon the people, which was technically termed "the bread of the governor" comp. (Ezra 4:14) They were probably assisted in discharging their official duties by A council. (Ezra 4:7; 6:6) The "governor" beyond the river had a judgment-seat beyond Jerusalem, from which probably he administered justice when making a progress through his province. (Nehemiah 3:7) At the time of Christ Judea was a Roman province, governed by a procurator (governor) appointed by Rome.

Definition

The term “chief” refers to the most powerful or most important leader of a particular group.

• Examples of this include, “chief musician,” “chief priest,” and “chief tax collector.” and “chief ruler.”
• It can also be used for the head of a specific family, as in Genesis 36 where certain men are named as “chiefs” of their family clans. In this context, the term “chief” could also be translated as “leader” or “head father.”
• When used to describe a noun, this term could be translated as “leading” or “ruling,” as in “leading musician” or “ruling priest.”

(See also: head, chief priests, priest, tax collector)

Bible References

• Daniel 1:11-13
• Ezekiel 26:15-16
• Luke 19:2
• Psalm 4:1

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0047, H0441, H5057, H5387, H5632, H6496, H7218, H7225, H7227, H7229, H7262, H8269, H8334, G07490, G07500, G07540, G44100, G44130, G55060

Definition

A “governor” is a person who rules over a large area of land (such as a territory, region, or province) within a nation or empire.

• In the Old Testament, the term “Tirshatha” is a more specific title for a governor who ruled over a Persian province.
• In the New Testament, the term “proconsul” is a more specific title for a governor who ruled over a Roman province.
• In Bible times, governors were appointed by a king or emperor and were under his authority.
• A “government” consists of all the rulers who govern a certain country or empire. These rulers make laws that guide the behavior of their citizens so that there is peace, safety, and prosperity for all the people of that nation.

Translation Suggestions

• The word “governor” can also be translated as “ruler” or “overseer” or “regional leader” or “one who rules over a small territory.”
• Depending on the context, the term “govern” could also be translated as “rule over” or “lead” or “manage” or “supervise.”
• The term “governor” should be translated differently than the terms for “king” or “emperor”, since a governor was a less powerful ruler who was under their authority.
• The term “proconsul” could also be translated as “Roman governor” or “Roman provincial ruler.”

(See also: authority, king, power, province, Rome, ruler)

Bible References

• Acts 7:9-10
• Acts 23:22
• Acts 26:30
• Mark 13:9-10
• Matthew 10:18
• Matthew 27:1-2

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0324, H1777, H2280, H4951, H5148, H5460, H6346, H6347, H6486, H7989, H8269, H8660, G04450, G04460, G07460, G14810, G22320, G22330, G22300, G42320

Definition

The term “noble” refers to something that is excellent and of high quality. A “nobleman” is a person who belongs to a high political or social class. A man “of noble birth” is one who was born a nobleman.

• A nobleman was often an officer of the state, a close servant to the king.
• The term “nobleman” could also be translated by, “king’s official” or “government officer.”

Bible References

• 2 Chronicles 23:20-21
• Daniel 4:36
• Ecclesiastes 10:17
• Luke 19:12
• Psalm 16:1-3

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0117, H1419, H2715, H3358, H3513, H5057, H5081, H6440, H6579, H7261, H8282, H8269, G09370, G21040

Definition

A “prince” is the son of a king. A “princess” is a daughter of a king.

• The term “prince” is often used figuratively to refer to a leader, ruler, or other powerful person.
• Because of Abraham’s wealth and importance, he was referred to as a “prince” by the Hittites he was living among.
• In the book of Daniel, the term “prince” is used in the expressions “prince of Persia” and “prince of Greece,” which in those contexts probably refer to powerful evil spirits who had authority over those regions.
• The archangel Michael is also referred to as a “prince” in the book of Daniel.
• Sometimes in the Bible Satan is referred to as “the prince of this world.”
• Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace” and the “Prince of Life.”
• In Acts 2:36, Jesus is referred to as “Lord and Christ” and in Acts 5:31 he is referred to as “Prince and Savior,” showing the parallel meaning of “Lord” and “Prince.”

Translation Suggestions

• Ways to translate “prince” could include, “king’s son” or “ruler” or “leader” or “chieftain” or “captain.”
• When referring to angels, this could also be translated as “spirit ruler” or “leading angel.”
• When referring to Satan or other evil spirits, this term could also be translated as “evil spirit ruler” or “powerful spirit leader” or “ruling spirit,” depending on the context.

(See also: angel, authority, Christ, demon, lord, power, ruler, Satan, Savior, spirit)

Bible References

• Acts 5:29-32
• Genesis 12:15
• Genesis 49:26
• Luke 1:52

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0001, H0117, H0324, H2831, H3548, H4502, H5057, H5081, H5139, H5257, H5387, H5633, H5993, H6579, H7261, H7333, H7786, H8269, H8282, H8323, G07470, G07580, G14130, G31750

Definition

The term to “reign” means to rule over the people of a particular country or kingdom. The reign of a king is the time period during which he is ruling.

• The term “reign” is also used to refer to God reigning as king over the entire world.
• God allowed human kings to reign over Israel after the people rejected him as their king.
• When Jesus Christ returns, he will openly reign as king over the whole world, and Christians will reign with Him.
• This term could also be translated as “absolute rule” or “rule as king.”

(See also: kingdom)

Bible References

• 2 Timothy 2:11-13
• Genesis 36:34-36
• Luke 1:30-33
• Luke 19:26-27
• Matthew 2:22-23

Word Data

• Strong’s: H3427, H4427, H4437, H4438, H4467, H4468, H4475, H4791, H4910, H6113, H7287, H7786, G07570, G09360, G22310, G48210

Definition

The term “ruler” is a general reference to a person who has authority over other people, such as a leader of a country, kingdom, or religious group. A ruler is one who “rules,” and his authority is his “rule.”

• In the Old Testament, a king was sometimes referred to generally as a “ruler,” as in the phrase “appointed him ruler over Israel.”
• God was referred to as the ultimate ruler, who rules over all other rulers.
• In the New Testament, the leader of a synagogue was called a “ruler.”
• Another type of ruler in the New Testament was a “governor.”
• Depending on the context, “ruler” could be translated as “leader” or “person who has authority over.”
• The action to “rule” means to “lead” to “have authority over.” It means the same thing as “reign” when it refers to the ruling of a king.

(See also: authority, governor, king, synagogue)

Bible References

• Acts 3:17-18
• Acts 7:35-37
• Luke 12:11
• Luke 23:35
• Mark 10:42
• Matthew 9:32-34
• Matthew 20:25
• Titus 3:1

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0995, H1166, H1167, H1404, H2708, H2710, H3027, H3548, H3920, H4043, H4410, H4427, H4428, H4438, H4467, H4474, H4475, H4623, H4910, H4941, H5057, H5065, H5387, H5401, H5461, H5715, H6113, H6213, H6485, H6957, H7101, H7218, H7287, H7300, H7336, H7786, H7860, H7980, H7981, H7985, H7989, H7990, H8199, H8269, H8323, H8451, G07460, G07520, G07550, G07570, G07580, G09320, G09360, G10180, G12030, G12990, G17780, G17850, G18490, G22320, G22330, G25250, G25830, G28880, G29610, G35450, G38410, G41650, G41730, G42910