Messenger

Messenger - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(Heb. mal'ak, Gr. angelos), an angel, a messenger who runs on foot, the bearer of despatches (Job 1:14; 1 Sam. 11:7; 2 Chr. 36:22); swift of foot (2 Kings 9:18).

mes'-en-jer: The regular Hebrew word for "messenger" is mal'akh, the Greek aggelos. This may be a human messenger or a messenger of God, an angel. The context must decide the right translation. In Hag 1:13 the prophet is called God's messenger; Job 33:23 changes the King James Version to "angel" (margin "messenger"); and Mal 3:1 margin, suggests "angel" instead of "messenger." Mal 2:7 and Mal 3:1 (twice) have caused a great deal of comment. See MALACHI. The Greek apostolos, "apostle," is rendered "messenger" in 2Co 8:23; Php 2:25; 1Sa 4:17 translations literally, from Hebrew basar, "to tell good news," "he that brought the tidings." Ge 50:16 reads "message" instead of "messenger."

A. L. Breslich

Definition

The term “messenger” refers to someone who is given a message to tell others.

• In ancient times, a messenger would be sent from the battlefield to tell people back in the city what was happening.
• An angel is a special kind of messenger whom God sends to give people messages. Some translations translate “angel” as “messenger.”
• John the Baptist was called a messenger who came before Jesus to announce the Messiah’s coming and to prepare people to receive him.
• Jesus’ apostles were his messengers to go share with other people the good news about the kingdom of God.

(See also: angel, apostle, John (the Baptist))

Bible References

• 1 Kings 19:1-3
• 1 Samuel 6:21
• 2 Kings 1:1-2
• Luke 7:27
• Matthew 11:10

Word Data

• Strong’s: H1319, H4397, H4398, H5046, H5894, H6735, H6737, H7323, H7971, G00320, G06520