Bible dictionaries

Recorder

What Bible dictionaries say about “Recorder”, one article after the other.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary & Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Recorder - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(Heb. mazkir, i.e., "the mentioner," "rememberancer"), the office first held by Jehoshaphat in the court of David (2 Sam. 8:16), also in the court of Solomon (1 Kings 4:3). The next recorder mentioned is Joah, in the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37; Isa. 36:3, 22). In the reign of Josiah another of the name of Joah filled this office (2 Chr. 34:8). The "recorder" was the chancellor or vizier of the kingdom. He brought all weighty matters under the notice of the king, "such as complaints, petitions, and wishes of subjects or foreigners. He also drew up papers for the king's guidance, and prepared drafts of the royal will for the scribes. All treaties came under his oversight; and he had the care of the national archives or records, to which, as royal historiographer, like the same state officer in Assyria and Egypt, he added the current annals of the kingdom."

Recorder - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

RECORD'ER, n.

1. A person whose official duty is to register writings or transactions; one who enrolls or records.

2. An officer of a city who is keeper of the rolls or records, or who is invested with judicial powers.

3. Formerly, a kind of flute, flageolet or wind instrument.

The figures of recorders, flutes and pipes are straight; but the recorder hath a less bore and a greater above and below.

Matthew George Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary; Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)

The article in Easton + Webster 1828

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE 1915)

re-kor'-der (mazkir; the Revised Version margin "chronicler"): A high functionary in the court of the Jewish kings, part of whose duty seems to have been to chronicle the events of the reign, but who also occupied a position corresponding with that of the modern vizier (2Sa 8:16; 20:24; 1Ch 18:15, etc.). His high rank is shown by the facts that, with other officers, he represented Hezekiah in speaking with Rabshakeh (2Ki 18:18), and, in the reign of Josiah, superintended the repairs of the temple (2Ch 34:8).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia — James Orr, general editor and contributors; CrossWire SWORD module ISBE 2.2

The article in ISBE 1915

Smith’s Bible Dictionary

an officer of high rank in the Jewish state, exercising the functions, not simply of an annalist, but of chancellor or president of the privy council. In David’s court the recorder appeal’s among the high officers of his household. (2 Samuel 8:16; 20:24; 1 Chronicles 18:15) In Solomon’s he is coupled with the three secretaries. (1 Kings 4:3) comp. 2Kin 18:18,37; 2Chr 34:8

William Smith; revised by F. N. Peloubet and M. A. Peloubet; CrossWire SWORD module Smith 1.3

The article in Smith