Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, magistrates were officials who held positions of authority and were responsible for administering justice and maintaining order within society. The role and function of magistrates can be seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the importance of governance and the rule of law in biblical history.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the concept of magistrates is closely tied to the judicial and administrative systems established by God for the nation of Israel. Moses, under God's direction, appointed judges and officials to help govern the people. In
Exodus 18:21-22 , Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, advises him: "But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times."
These appointed leaders were responsible for settling disputes and ensuring that justice was carried out according to God's laws.
Deuteronomy 16:18 further instructs, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the term "magistrates" often refers to Roman officials who held judicial and administrative authority in the provinces of the Roman Empire. The Apostle Paul encountered such magistrates during his missionary journeys. In
Acts 16:20-22 , Paul and Silas are brought before the magistrates in Philippi: "They brought them to the magistrates and said, 'These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.' The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods."
The role of magistrates in the Roman context was to maintain public order and enforce the laws of the empire. They wielded significant power, including the authority to punish and imprison individuals, as seen in the case of Paul and Silas.
Biblical Principles and ResponsibilitiesThe Bible emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness in the role of magistrates.
Proverbs 29:4 states, "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down." Magistrates were expected to be impartial, fair, and guided by the principles of God's law. In
2 Chronicles 19:6-7 , Jehoshaphat instructs the judges, "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery."
Christian Perspective on AuthorityFrom a Christian perspective, the role of magistrates is seen as part of God's ordained structure for society.
Romans 13:1-2 teaches, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
Christians are called to respect and pray for those in authority, recognizing their role in maintaining order and justice.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges believers, "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity."
In summary, magistrates in the biblical context were key figures in the administration of justice and governance, both in ancient Israel and the broader Roman world. Their role was to uphold justice, maintain order, and execute the laws of the land, reflecting the divine order established by God for human society.
Greek
5511. chlamus -- a chlamys or short cloak... 5511 -- "a short cloak worn by soldiers, military officers,
magistrates, kings,
emperors, etc" (J. Thayer) -- the Latin , the garment of "dignity" (office
...3980. peitharcheo -- to obey authority
... of peitho and archo; to be persuaded by a ruler, ie (genitive case) to submit to
authority; by analogy, to conform to advice -- hearken, obey (magistrates)....
746. arche -- beginning, origin
... Short Definition: ruler, beginning Definition: (a) rule (kingly or magisterial),
(b) plur: in a quasi-personal sense, almost: rulers,magistrates, (c) beginning...
4755. strategos -- a general, governor
... Word Origin from the same as strateuo and from ago Definition a general, governor
NASB Word Usage captain (3), chiefmagistrates (5), officers (2)....
Strong's Hebrew
8614. tiphtaye -- (title of an official) perhapsmagistrates... tiphtaye. 8615 . (title of an official) perhaps
magistrates. Transliteration:
tiphtaye Phonetic Spelling: (tif-tah'-ee) Short Definition:
magistrates.
...8200. shephat -- to judge
... 8199, 8200. shephat. 8201 . to judge. Transliteration: shephat Phonetic
Spelling: (shef-at') Short Definition:magistrates. Word...
430. elohim -- God, god
... specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme
God; occasionally applied by way of deference tomagistrates; and sometimes...
Library
'A Mirror forMagistrates'
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES 'A MIRROR FORMAGISTRATES'. 'And Jehoshaphat
the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem...
The SleepyMagistrates' Proclamation
... 5. Wesley Refused Sacraments at Epworth; Cornwall and the Scilly Isles; Natural
Amphitheater at Gwennap; Wesley in Danger The SleepyMagistrates' Proclamation....
Honour toMagistrates; Or, Government from God.
... first and third lines of the stanza. Hymn 2:149. Honour toMagistrates; or,
Government from God. 1 Eternal Sovereign of the sky, And...
Psalm 58 Warning toMagistrates.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 58 Warning tomagistrates. 8,8,8,8,8,8 Warning
tomagistrates. Judges, who rule the world by laws,. Will...
Letter ccxxx. To theMagistrates of Nicopolis.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CCXXX. To the
magistrates of Nicopolis. The government of the Churches...
Letter ccxxviii. To theMagistrates of Colonia.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CCXXVIII. To the
magistrates of Colonia. I have received your lordships...
Psalm 82. God the Supreme Governor; Or,Magistrates Warned.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 82. God the supreme Governor; or,
Magistrates warned. 1 Among th' assemblies of the great, A...
Honor toMagistrates; Or, Government from God.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 149 Honor tomagistrates; or, Government from God. CM Honor
tomagistrates; or, Government from God. Eternal Sovereign of the sky,....
Psalm 82 God the Supreme Governor; Or,Magistrates Warned.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 82 God the supreme Governor; or,Magistrates warned.
LM God the supreme Governor; or,Magistrates warned....
This HomilyIs Intended to Shew that the Fear ofMagistrates is...
... This Homily is intended to shew that the fear ofMagistrates is beneficial.? This
Homily is intended to shew that the fear ofMagistrates is beneficial....
Thesaurus
Magistrates (18 Occurrences)...Magistrates (18 Occurrences).
... Luke 22:4 and he, having gone away, spake with the
chief priests and the
magistrates, how he might deliver him up to them, (YLT).
...Magistrate (9 Occurrences)
... A public civil officer invested with authority. The Hebrew shophetim, or judges,
weremagistrates having authority in the land (Deuteronomy 1:16, 17)....
Philippi (8 Occurrences)
... that all prospect of further gain was gone, and they therefore seized Paul and Silas
and dragged them into the forum before themagistrates, probably the...
Sergeants (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Acts 16:35, 38 (RV, "lictors"), officers who attended
themagistrates and assisted them in the execution of justice....
Serjeants (2 Occurrences)
... of rods," corresponding to Roman "lictors," thus the Revised Version margin) is
used of the officers in attendance on the Philippianmagistrates, whose duty it...
Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... whom the evangelists were lodging, and when these were not found Jason himself and
some of the other converts were dragged before themagistrates and accused...
Silas (22 Occurrences)
... On being charged before themagistrates with causing a breach of the peace and
preaching false doctrine, their garments were rent off them and they were...
Rome (12 Occurrences)
... DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION 1. Original Roman State 2. The Struggle
between Patricians and Plebeians 3. The Senate andMagistrates 4. Underlying...
Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... But he was compelled to appoint a body ofmagistrates-heads of families-to act
in conjunction with himself, and under his judicial oversight....
Jailer (8 Occurrences)
... household. (See NIV). Acts 16:35 But when it was day, themagistrates sent
the sergeants, saying, "Let those men go." (See NIV). Acts...
Resources
What does the Bible mean by “you are gods” / "ye are gods" in Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34? | GotQuestions.orgDid Constantine change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the satraps in the book of Daniel? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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