Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Role:Envoys in the biblical context refer to individuals sent on behalf of a ruler or nation to convey messages, negotiate treaties, or represent the interests of their sender. They played a crucial role in diplomacy, communication, and the maintenance of relationships between different kingdoms and peoples. The role of an envoy was one of trust and responsibility, as they were often tasked with sensitive and significant missions.
Biblical Instances:1.
Old Testament:·
Genesis 32:3-5: Jacob sent envoys ahead of him to Esau, his brother, in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. These envoys were tasked with delivering a message of peace and reconciliation, demonstrating the use of envoys in familial and tribal diplomacy.
·
Numbers 20:14-21: Moses sent envoys from Kadesh to the king of Edom, requesting passage through his land. The envoys conveyed a message of peaceful intent, highlighting the role of envoys in negotiating safe passage and travel.
·
2 Samuel 10:1-5: David sent envoys to express sympathy to Hanun, the king of the Ammonites, after the death of his father. However, the envoys were humiliated, leading to conflict. This incident illustrates the potential risks and misunderstandings that envoys could face.
2.
New Testament:·
Luke 14:31-32: Jesus uses the example of a king sending envoys to discuss terms of peace when he realizes he is outmatched in battle. This parable underscores the strategic use of envoys in conflict resolution and peace negotiations.
Characteristics and Qualifications:Envoys were typically chosen for their wisdom, eloquence, and ability to faithfully represent their sender's intentions. They needed to be trustworthy, as they often carried sensitive information and were responsible for negotiating on behalf of their leaders. The successful envoy was one who could navigate complex social and political landscapes, maintain diplomacy, and achieve the desired outcomes for their mission.
Symbolic and Theological Significance:In a broader theological sense, envoys can be seen as representatives of God's message and will. Prophets, apostles, and even Jesus Christ Himself are sometimes viewed as divine envoys, sent to convey God's word and purpose to humanity. For instance, in the New Testament, the apostles are often seen as envoys of Christ, tasked with spreading the Gospel and establishing the early Church.
Proverbs 13:17 : "A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing." This proverb highlights the moral and ethical dimensions of being an envoy, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and integrity in their role.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, envoys were a common feature of international relations. They were often part of a larger diplomatic entourage, which could include gifts, interpreters, and other officials. The presence of envoys in biblical narratives reflects the historical realities of the time, where communication between distant lands required trusted intermediaries.
Conclusion:The role of envoys in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing diplomacy, communication, and representation. They serve as vital links between different parties, whether in times of peace or conflict, and their actions often have significant consequences for the unfolding of biblical events.
Strong's Hebrew
2831. chashman -- ambassador... 2830, 2831. chashman. 2832 . ambassador. Transliteration: chashman Phonetic
Spelling: (khash-man') Short Definition:
envoys. Word
...6737. tsayar -- to act as envoy
... 6736, 6737. tsayar. 6738 . to act as envoy. Transliteration: tsayar Phonetic
Spelling: (tsaw-yar') Short Definition:envoys. Word...
3917b. lits -- to scorn
... root Definition to scorn NASB Word Usage carry on as scoffers (1), deride (1),envoys
(1), interpreter (1), makes a mockery (1), mediator (1), mock (1), mocker...
4397. malak -- a messenger
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a messenger NASB Word Usage ambassadors
(2), angel (101), angels (9),envoys (1), messenger (24), messengers (76)....
6735a. tsir -- an envoy, messenger
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition an envoy, messenger NASB Word Usage envoy
(3),envoys (2), messenger (1). 6735, 6735a. tsir. 6735b ....
Library
Council of Ariminum .
... Wherefore we have sentenvoys to your clemency to signify and explain the
mind of the synod as expressed in this letter. Theseenvoys...
Mr. Beecher in England
... The feeling on both sides was intensified by the "Trent Affair." Two Confederate
envoys, sent to Europe to secure the recognition of the Confederacy, were...
John i. 24, 25. Of the Baptism of John, that of Elijah, and that...
... They sendenvoys who deal in rebukes, and so far as their power extends debar him
from baptizing; theirenvoys ask, Why baptizest thou, then, if thou art not...
Excursus on the Conciliabulum of John of Antioch.
... Theenvoys immediately informed the Synod of what had happened, and showed the wounds
which they had received, which called forth great indignation against...
Guelf and Ghibelline. (I)
... At the Diet of Besancon in Burgundy in 1157 two papalenvoys appeared with
a complaint of Frederick's conduct in some particular....
The End of the Quarrel
... In 1095, therefore, when Alexius needed aid against the Seljuk Turks, it was to
the Pope that he sent hisenvoys, who appeared at the Synod of Piacenza....
The Church and the Heathen
... Perhaps in consequence of this failure Louis turned his army against Egypt instead
of Syria; but theenvoys returned to find him after the disastrous Egyptian...
The Church and the Young Man.
... They come to her in the flush of their manly strength, like the Romanenvoys to
Carthage, holding in their robes peace and war, and offering the church her...
The Mildness of the Yellow Press
... The fictitious version of the massacre of theenvoys of Pekin was mendacious, but
it was not interesting, except to those who had private reasons for terror or...
The Churches of the East
... But the violence of the papalenvoys and the obstinacy of the Patriarch made agreement
impossible. Finally the legates laid upon the altar of St....
Thesaurus
Envoys (16 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Envoys (16 Occurrences). Joshua 9:4 they also
resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been
...Embassy (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The public function of an ambassador; the charge or business entrusted to
an ambassador or toenvoys; a public message to; foreign court concerning...
Mattathias (2 Occurrences)
... (5) One of the threeenvoys sent by Nicanor to treat with Judas in 161 BC
(2 Maccabees 14:19). No names ofenvoys are given in the...
Posidonius
... Posidonios and Poseidon): One of the threeenvoys sent by the Syrian general Nicanor
to treat with the Jews under Judas during his invasion of Judea, 161 BC (2...
Envoy (5 Occurrences)
John (154 Occurrences)
... which see). (3) Father of Eupolemus, one of theenvoys sent to Rome by Judas
Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 8:17; 2 Maccabees 4:11). (4) John...
Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... represents him (2 Chronicles 32:31) as lapsing from the wisdom of piety only by
his vainglory in revealing the resources of his realm to theenvoys of Merodach...
Joah (10 Occurrences)
... and recorder under King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 26 Isaiah 36:3, 11, 22); he was
one of the 3 officers sent by the king to speak to the Assyrianenvoys at the...
Treat (53 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To negotiate; to come to terms of accommodation; -- often followed
by with; as,envoys were appointed to treat with France. 10....
Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... He and the otherenvoys returned to their master and reported that Hezekiah
and his people were obdurate, and would not submit. Int....
Resources
Who was Huram / Hiram in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAre the “angels” of the churches in Revelation 1-3 real angels, or are they human messengers? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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