Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the role of an executioner was a significant and often feared position, responsible for carrying out capital punishment as decreed by legal or royal authority. The executioner is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, but the concept and practice of execution are evident throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the justice systems of ancient societies.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament law, given to the Israelites, included various capital offenses, and execution was a means of maintaining justice and holiness within the community. While the specific term "executioner" is not commonly used, the function is implied in several passages. For instance, in the Mosaic Law, certain crimes such as murder, adultery, and idolatry warranted the death penalty (
Exodus 21:12-17;
Leviticus 20:10;
Deuteronomy 13:6-10).
The method of execution varied, including stoning, burning, and the sword. Stoning was a communal act, as seen in the case of Achan, who was stoned for his disobedience (
Joshua 7:25). The sword was also used, as in the execution of the Amalekite who claimed to have killed King Saul (
2 Samuel 1:15).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the role of the executioner becomes more explicit, particularly under Roman rule. The Roman system of justice included executioners who carried out sentences such as crucifixion, beheading, and other forms of capital punishment. The most notable execution in the New Testament is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, carried out by Roman soldiers under the authority of Pontius Pilate (
Matthew 27:27-37;
Mark 15:16-24;
Luke 23:33-34;
John 19:16-18).
John the Baptist's beheading is another instance where an executioner is directly mentioned. Herod Antipas, influenced by Herodias and her daughter, ordered John's execution, and an executioner was sent to behead him in prison (
Mark 6:27: "So without delay, the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went, beheaded him in the prison").
Symbolic and Theological ImplicationsExecutioners in the Bible symbolize the authority of human justice systems, which are often flawed and subject to the whims of those in power. The execution of Jesus, in particular, highlights the miscarriage of justice and the fulfillment of divine prophecy. Jesus' death, though carried out by human hands, was part of God's redemptive plan for humanity (
Acts 2:23: "He was handed over by God's set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross").
Theologically, the concept of execution underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement. While human executioners carried out temporal justice, the ultimate execution of justice belongs to God, who judges righteously and offers mercy through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection.
ConclusionThe role of the executioner in biblical times was a necessary part of maintaining order and justice within society. While often feared, executioners were instruments of the prevailing legal systems, reflecting both the justice and the imperfections of human governance. Through the lens of Scripture, the acts of execution point to the greater narrative of divine justice and redemption.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
ExecutionerThe post of executioner was one of high dignity. Potiphar was "captain of the executioners." (Genesis 37:36) see margin. That the "captain of the guard" himself occasionally performed the duty of an executioner appears from (1 Kings 2:25,34)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(
Mark 6:27). Instead of the Greek word, Mark here uses a Latin word, speculator, which literally means "a scout," "a spy," and at length came to denote one of the armed bodyguard of the emperor. Herod Antipas, in imitation of the emperor, had in attendance on him a company of speculatores. They were sometimes employed as executioners, but this was a mere accident of their office. (See Mark, GOSPEL OF.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who executes; an executer.
2. (n.) One who puts to death in conformity to legal warrant, as a hangman.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EXECUTE; EXECUTIONERek'-se-kut, ek-se-ku'-shun-er (`asah, "to do," din,"to judge," "decide"; poieo, "to do"; spekoulator, Latin speculator, "an attendant"):
"Execute" in the sense of "executing judgment," "vengeance," etc., is often found in the Old Testament (Exodus 12:12Deuteronomy 10:18Psalm 149:7Jeremiah 22:3Ezekiel 25:11Micah 5:15; compareJeremiah 21:12, "Execute justice in the morning") and a few times in the New Testament (John 5:27Romans 13:4 the King James Version;Jude 1:15). In the sense of punishing capitally, by legal process, it is not found. "Executioner" is found only inMark 6:27 the King James Version, where Herod, the king, is said to have "sent an executioner" (spekoulator) to behead John the Baptist, but the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version have instead, according to the stricter meaning of the text, "The king sent forth a soldier of his guard." The office of executioner, however, was a recognized office in all the great nations of antiquity.
George B. Eager
Greek
4688. spekoulator -- a scout, by ext. anexecutioner... an
executioner. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: spekoulator Phonetic
Spelling: (spek-oo-lat'-ore) Short Definition: a body-guardsman, an
...4465. rhabdouchos -- a rod holder, ie (a Roman) lictor (one...
... officer, sergeant. From rhabdos and echo; a rod- (the Latin fasces) holder, ie A
Roman lictor (constable orexecutioner) -- serjeant. see GREEK rhabdos....
Strong's Hebrew
2876. tabbach -- cook, guardsman... From tabach; properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting
as an
executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food
...3774. Kerethi -- the foreign bodyguard of King David
... Probably from karath in the sense ofexecutioner; a Kerethite or life-guardsman
(compare tabbach) (only collectively in the singular as plural) -- Cherethims...
Library
Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
... of the bride in white, and the bridegroom in his most gallant apparel, but as he
went along, he heard a sound of a file from theexecutioner's room, who was...
The Doomed Three
... Then, with a colossal Goth by his side, who leaned on a huge sword, and whom Thorismund
knew to be theexecutioner, the chieftain ordered Aurelian to be...
The Crucifixion.
... The secondexecutioner cried, "Take care, or he will be down.".... The third
executioner said to him roughly, "It is no use thy fainting....
This Treatise Has a Favourable Beginning, Since it is the Birthday...
... 9. What threats theexecutioner used to make her fear him, what allurements to persuade
her, how many desired that she would come to them in marriage!...
In Reply to Marcellina, who had Asked what Should be Thought of...
... I fear not that a sword will be wanting. I can die by my own weapons, I can die
without the help of anexecutioner, in my mother's bosom.". 34....
Letter i. To Innocent.
... which after once tasting blood always thirsts for it, ordered the torture to be
doubled, and cruelly gnashing his teeth, threatened theexecutioner with like...
The Life of Mr. James Mitchel.
... prison. Upon the 24th, they assembled in their robes in the inner parliament
house, and the boots andexecutioner were presented....
The Red Shoes
... Here she knew theexecutioner dwelt; and she tapped with her fingers on the panes,
and called: "Come out, come out!... And theexecutioner said:...
From the Saying of Our Lord we Know that the Flesh is Weak...
... and the lofty cross, and the rage of the wild beasts, and that punishment of the
flames, of all most terrible, and all the skill of theexecutioner in torture....
When, Therefore, it is Said that the Tradition against Female...
... mob an opportunity of throwing roses as well as rotten eggs; of crying "Hosannah"
as well as "Crucify." But I do not like the publicexecutioner being turned...
Thesaurus
Executioner (1 Occurrence)... 2. (n.) One who puts to death in conformity to legal warrant, as a hangman.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EXECUTE;
EXECUTIONER.
...Execute (83 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To do one's work; to act one's part of purpose. 8. (vi) To perform musically.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EXECUTE;EXECUTIONER....
Guard (185 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews tabbah (properly a "cook, " and in a secondary
sense "executioner, " because this office fell to the lot of the cook in...
Execution (4 Occurrences)
Executioners (32 Occurrences)
Tormentor (1 Occurrence)
... tor-men'-ter: the King James Version 2 Maccabees 7:29 for demios "belonging to the
people," and so "publicexecutioner," the Revised Version (British and...
Murder (41 Occurrences)
... Theexecutioner, according to the terms of the Law, was the "revenger of blood";
but the guilt must be previously determined by the Levitical tribunal....
Mark (182 Occurrences)
... Mark also uses certain Latin words not found in any of the other Gospels, as
"speculator" (6:27, rendered, AV, "executioner;" RV, "soldier of his guard...
Machaerus
... During the revelry of the banquet held in the border fortress, to please Salome,
who danced before him, he sent anexecutioner, who beheaded John, and "brought...
Conscience (36 Occurrences)
... In the individual's own breast are not only the figures of justice already mentioned,
but theexecutioner as well; for, on the back of a sentence of...
Resources
Is “I will deliver” or “Will I deliver” the correct translation of Hosea 13:14? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is an avenger of blood in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John the Baptist in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgExecutioner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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