Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "official" refers to individuals who hold positions of authority or responsibility within a governmental, religious, or organizational structure. These roles are often characterized by duties that involve governance, administration, or oversight. The Bible provides numerous examples of officials, highlighting their roles, responsibilities, and the moral and ethical standards expected of them.
Old TestamentIn the Old Testament, officials are frequently mentioned in the context of the Israelite monarchy and the administration of the kingdom. For instance, King Solomon's reign is noted for its well-organized administrative structure, which included various officials.
1 Kings 4:1-2 states, "So King Solomon ruled over all Israel, and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok—the priest."
Officials in the Old Testament also include those who served in religious capacities, such as the Levites and priests, who were responsible for the maintenance of the temple and the conduct of worship. The role of officials extended to judges and elders who were tasked with maintaining justice and order within the community, as seen in
Deuteronomy 16:18 : "You are to 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 with righteous judgment."
New TestamentIn the New Testament, the term "official" is often associated with Roman governance and the administrative structure of the Roman Empire. Roman officials, such as centurions and governors, are frequently mentioned in the Gospels and Acts. For example, in
Matthew 8:5-13 , a centurion approaches Jesus, demonstrating faith in His authority to heal his servant. This passage highlights the interaction between Jesus and Roman officials, illustrating the reach of His ministry beyond the Jewish community.
The New Testament also addresses the conduct of officials, emphasizing the importance of justice and integrity.
Romans 13:1-4 instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing their role as servants of God: "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."
Moral and Ethical ExpectationsThroughout the Bible, officials are expected to uphold high moral and ethical standards. They are called to act justly, serve the people faithfully, and adhere to God's commandments. The prophet Micah encapsulates this expectation in
Micah 6:8 : "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
The Bible also warns against the abuse of power and corruption among officials.
Proverbs 29:2 states, "When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan." This underscores the impact of leadership on the well-being of a community and the divine mandate for officials to govern with righteousness and integrity.
ConclusionThe role of an official in the biblical narrative is multifaceted, encompassing governance, religious duties, and the administration of justice. Whether in the context of ancient Israel or the Roman Empire, officials are portrayed as key figures in maintaining order and executing the will of God. The Bible's teachings on the responsibilities and conduct of officials continue to offer valuable insights into the principles of leadership and governance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) of or pertaining to an office or public trust; as, official duties, or routine.
2. (n.) Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authority; as, an official statement or report.
3. (n.) Approved by authority; sanctioned by the pharmacopoeia; appointed to be used in medicine; as, an official drug or preparation. Cf. Officinal.
4. (n.) Discharging an office or function.
5. (a.) One who holds an office; esp., a subordinate executive officer or attendant.
6. (n.) An ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.
Greek
775. Asiarches -- an Asiarch, anofficial of Asian cities... an Asiarch, an
official of Asian cities. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Asiarches Phonetic Spelling: (as-ee-ar'-khace) Short Definition:
...4232. praitorion -- Praetorium (official residence of a governor)...
... Praetorium (official residence of a governor), praetorian guard. Part of Speech:
Noun, Neuter Transliteration: praitorion Phonetic Spelling: (prahee-to'-ree-on...
2233. hegeomai -- to lead, suppose
... 2233 (from 71 , "to lead") -- properly, to lead the way (going before as a ) --
cognate with 2232 ("a governor orofficial who leads others")....
3011. leitourgos -- a public servant, a minister, a servant
... leitourgos Phonetic Spelling: (li-toorg-os') Short Definition: a minister, servant
Definition: a minister, servant, of anofficial character; of priests and...
758. archon -- ruler, chief
... Spelling: (ar'-khone) Short Definition: a ruler, prince, leader Definition: a ruler,
governor, leader, leading man; with the Jews, anofficial member (a member...
3009. leitourgia -- a service, a ministry
... Cognate: 3009 (a feminine noun derived from 3011 , "anofficial servant," "sacred
ministering") -- properly,official (technical) service offered by a duly...
5010. taxis -- an arranging, order
... order. From tasso; regular arrangement, ie (in time) fixed succession (of rank
or character),official dignity -- order. see GREEK tasso....
3952. parousia -- a presence, a coming
... 3952 () is a "technical term with reference to of a king or some otherofficial,
'a royal visit' " (Souter) -- "hence, in the NT, specifically of the or of...
5511. chlamus -- a chlamys or short cloak
... tunic"). 5511 ("a short,official robe") was put on Christ (perhaps taken
from a Roman officer) to heighten His humiliation. [For...
529. apantesis -- a meeting
... the act of meeting, to meet Definition: the act of meeting, to meet (a phrase seemingly
almost technical for the reception of a newly arrivedofficial)....
Strong's Hebrew
7860. shoter --official, officer... 7859, 7860. shoter. 7861 .
official, officer. Transliteration: shoter
Phonetic Spelling: (sho-tare') Short Definition: officers.
...8269. sar -- chieftain, chief, ruler,official, captain, prince
... 8268, 8269. sar. 8270 . chieftain, chief, ruler,official, captain, prince.
Transliteration: sar Phonetic Spelling: (sar) Short Definition: princes....
7249. Rab-saris -- perhaps "chief eunuch," anofficial of the...
... perhaps "chief eunuch," anofficial of the Assyr.... From rab and a foreign word for
a eunuch; chief chamberlain; Rab-Saris, a Babylonianofficial -- Rab-saris....
7248. Rab-mag -- perhaps "chief soothsayer," anofficial of the...
Rab-mag. 7247, 7248. Rab-mag. 7249 . perhaps "chief soothsayer," anofficial
of the Bab....Official -- Rab-mag. see HEBREW rab. 7247, 7248. Rab-mag. 7249 >...
671a. apharesekaye --official
... 671, 671a. apharesekaye. 671b .official. Transliteration: apharesekaye
Short Definition: officials. Word Origin (Aramaic) from...
292. Achinadab -- "my brother is noble," anofficial of Solomon
... Achinadab. 293 . "my brother is noble," anofficial of Solomon. Transliteration:
Achinadab Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-naw-dawb') Short Definition: Ahinadab....
5371. Nergal Sharetser -- a Bab. courtofficial
... Nergal Sharetser. 5372 . a Bab. courtofficial. Transliteration: Nergal Sharetser
Phonetic Spelling: (nare-gal' shar-eh'-tser) Short Definition: Nergal-sar-ezer...
8370. Shethar Bozenay -- a Pers.official
... Shethar Bozenay. 8371 . a Pers.official. Transliteration: Shethar Bozenay Phonetic
Spelling: (sheth-ar' bo-zen-ah'-ee) Short Definition: Shethar-bozenai....
5663. Ebed Melek -- "servant of a king," anofficial under King...
... "servant of a king," anofficial under King Zedekiah. Transliteration: Ebed Melek
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-bed meh'-lek) Short Definition: Ebed-melech....
2967. tarpelaye --official (a Pers. title)
... 2966, 2967. tarpelaye. 2968 .official (a Pers.... Word Origin (Aramaic) of foreign
origin Definitionofficial (a Pers. title) NASB Word Usage officials (1)....
Library
The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of...
... Book I. Chapter X. "The Christians are Not the Only Contemners of the Gods
Contempt of Them Often Displayed by HeathenOfficial Persons....
Augustin Indulgently Shows that the Judges Acted Incautiously in...
... A work on the proceedings of pelagius, Chapter 41."Augustin Indulgently Shows that
the Judges Acted Incautiously in TheirOfficial Conduct of the Case of...
A Prophet who Saved a Great City
... Once the king of Assyria sent a highofficial with a great army to Jerusalem....
And the highofficial said to them, "Why are you so confident?...
An Account of the General Conference of 1800
... he continued his annual tour of the continent, he was able to preach but seldom,
and that it was with much difficulty he discharged hisofficial duties at...
Climbing Towards the Climax.
... He boldly teaches in the temple in the midst of much opposition, bitter discussion,
and concertedofficial effort against Him.[34] The dramatic incident of the...
Who's There?
... they haven't. Even more striking is the recent visitation to us ofofficial
commissions from the non-Christian lands. One after...
The Surprised Jew.
... In the old picture of the Messiah there are two distinct groups of
characteristics of the coming king, personal andofficial. He...
Kings
... to have contained, eg, accounts of wars, conquests, conspiracies, buildings, 1 Kings
14:19, xv.23, xvi.20, but it is not probable that they wereofficial annals...
Matthew.
... (Matt.25:34, 40). 5. It Is anOfficial and an Organic Gospel. This is suggested
in that Matthew represents Satan as head of a kingdom...
The Continuation of the Story
... satisfactory.". Orders were accordingly issued that all Christians were to receive
thisofficial paper whereby their safety would be ensured....
Thesaurus
Official (45 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) of or pertaining to an office or public trust;
as,
official duties, or routine.
...Official (45 Occurrences).
...Official's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceOfficial's (1 Occurrence). Matthew 9:23 When Jesus
came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players...
Return (499 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To render, as an account, usually anofficial account, to a... 13. (vt) Hence,
to elect according to theofficial report of the election officers. 14....
Record (71 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Anofficial contemporaneous writing by which the acts of some public body,
or public officer, are recorded; as, a record of city ordinances; the...
Procurator
... a financial agent with power of attorney, and the development of the special usage
of the word to denote an imperial functionary orofficial is characteristic...
Publius (2 Occurrences)
... The word here rendered "chief man" (protos) is supposed by some to be properly
a Maltese term, theofficial title of the governor. Int....
Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... of Moses 3. The Progress of Religion, Seen in Moses' Intercessions 4. Intercessory
Prayer in Israel's Later History 5. The Rise ofOfficial Intercession 6...
Officiate (1 Occurrence)
... service. 2. (vt) To discharge, perform, or supply, as anofficial duty or function.
Multi-Version Concordance Officiate (1 Occurrence)....
Geber (9 Occurrences)
... His district was also East of the Jordan, but probably to the South of that named
in connection with theofficial of 4:13 (the Revised Version (British and...
Inquisition (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of inquiring; examination; a court for
investigation. 2. (n.) Judicial inquiry;official examination; inquest....
Resources
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