Topical Encyclopedia
An orator, in biblical terms, refers to a person skilled in public speaking, often with the ability to persuade or move an audience through eloquence and rhetoric. The role of an orator is significant in both secular and religious contexts within the Bible, as effective communication was essential for leaders, prophets, and apostles to convey their messages.
Biblical References:1.
Tertullus: One of the most direct references to an orator in the Bible is Tertullus, who is described as a skilled speaker. In
Acts 24:1-2 , Tertullus is hired by the Jewish leaders to present their case against the Apostle Paul before the Roman governor Felix. The passage states, "Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul to the governor. When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: 'We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.'"
2.
Moses: Although not explicitly called an orator, Moses is a central figure in the Bible who initially expressed concern about his speaking abilities. In
Exodus 4:10 , Moses says to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant—for I am slow of speech and tongue." Despite his self-doubt, Moses became a powerful leader and communicator, delivering God's laws and guiding the Israelites.
3.
Paul the Apostle: The Apostle Paul, though not always considered a traditional orator, was a profound communicator of the Gospel. In
1 Corinthians 2:1-4 , Paul reflects on his approach to preaching: "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power."
Characteristics of a Biblical Orator:·
Eloquence and Persuasion: A biblical orator is often characterized by their ability to speak persuasively and eloquently, as seen in the example of Tertullus. This skill is used to influence and sway audiences, whether in legal settings or public discourse.
·
Divine Empowerment: Many biblical figures who served as orators or communicators were empowered by God to deliver their messages. Despite personal limitations, such as Moses' self-professed lack of eloquence, God's empowerment enabled them to fulfill their roles effectively.
·
Focus on Truth: Unlike secular orators who may prioritize rhetoric over substance, biblical orators are often depicted as prioritizing the truth of God's message. Paul emphasizes this in his letters, focusing on the power of the Spirit rather than human wisdom.
·
Moral and Spiritual Authority: Biblical orators often speak with a sense of moral and spiritual authority, derived from their relationship with God. This authority lends weight to their words and commands respect from their audiences.
In summary, the role of an orator in the Bible encompasses both the art of persuasive speech and the divine calling to communicate God's truth. Whether through formal rhetoric or simple proclamation, biblical orators are instrumental in advancing God's purposes and guiding His people.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Orator- The Authorized Version rendering in (Isaiah 3:3) for what is literally "skillful in whisper or incantation."
- The title applied to Tertullus, who appeared as the advocate of the Jewish accusers of St. Paul before Felix, (Acts 24:1)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A public speaker; one who delivers an oration; especially, one distinguished for his skill and power as a public speaker; one who is eloquent.
2. (n.) In equity proceedings, one who prays for relief; a petitioner.
3. (n.) A plaintiff, or complainant, in a bill in chancery.
4. (n.) An officer who is the voice of the university upon all public occasions, who writes, reads, and records all letters of a public nature, presents, with an appropriate address, those persons on whom honorary degrees are to be conferred, and performs other like duties; -- called also public orator.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ORATOR; ORTIONor'-a-ter, o-ra'-shun: The word "orator" occurs twice:
(1) As the King James Version rendering of lachash; onlyIsaiah 3:3, "the eloquent orator," the King James Version margin "skilful of speech," where the Revised Version (British and American) rightly substitutes "the skillful enchanter." The word lachash is probably a mimetic word meaning "a hiss," "a whisper" and is used in the sense of "incantation" "charm." Hence, nebhon lachash means "skillful in incantation," "expert in magic." SeeDIVINATION;ENCHANTMENT.
(2) As the rendering of rhetor, the title applied to Tertullus, who appeared as the advocate of the Jewish accusers of Paul before Felix (Acts 24:1). The proceedings, as was generally the case in the provincial Roman courts, would probably be conducted in Latin, and under Roman modes of procedure, in which the parties would not be well versed; hence, the need of a professional advocate. Rhetor is here the equivalent of the older Greek sunegoros, "the prosecuting counsel," as opposed to the sundikos, "the defendant's advocate."
Oration occurs only inActs 12:21: "Herod.... made an oration unto them" (edemegorei pros autous). The verb demegoreo, "to speak in an assembly" (from demos, "people," agoreuo, "to harangue"), is often found in classical Greek, generally in a bad sense (Latin concionari); here only in the New Testament.
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
4489. rhetor -- a public speaker... a public speaker. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: rhetor Phonetic
Spelling: (hray'-tore) Short Definition: an
orator Definition: an
orator...3052. logios -- learned, eloquent
... Word Origin from logos Definition learned, eloquent NASB Word Usage eloquent (1).
eloquent. From logos; fluent, ie Anorator -- eloquent. see GREEK logos....
1215. demegoreo -- to deliver a public address
... Word Origin from demegoros (popularorator); from demos and agoreuo (to speak in
the assembly, harangue) Definition to deliver a public address NASB Word Usage...
2916. krithinos -- of barley
... Suetonius speaks of a turgid rhetorician as a 'barleyorator,' inflated like barley
in moisture: and Livy relates how cohorts which had lost their standards...
Strong's Hebrew
3908. lachash -- a whispering, charming... prayer (1). charmed, earring, enchantment,
orator, prayer. From lachash;
properly, a whisper, ie By implication, (in a good sense
...Library
Accordingly a GreatOrator Has Truly Said that "An Eloquent Man...
... Book 4 Chapter 27. Accordingly a greatorator has truly said that "an eloquent
man must speak so? 27. Accordingly a greatorator...
And So Our ChristianOrator, While He Says what is Just...
... Book 4 Chapter 32. And so our Christianorator, while he says what is
just? 32. And so our Christianorator, while he says what...
The Aim of theOrator, According to Cicero, is to Teach, to...
... Book IV. Chapter 12."The Aim of theOrator, According to Cicero, is to Teach,
to Delight, and to Move.... Footnotes: [1951] Cicero,Orator....
Letter Lxx. To Magnus anOrator of Rome.
... Jerome. Letter LXX. To Magnus anOrator of Rome.... [2185] Bishop of Amasea in Pontus,
a constant student of Demosthenes and himself no meanorator....
In Every Style theOrator Should Aim at Perspicuity, Beauty, and...
... Book IV. Chapter 26."In Every Style theOrator Should Aim at Perspicuity,
Beauty, and Persuasiveness. 55. Now in regard to the...
The ChristianOrator is Constantly Dealing with Great Matters.
... Book IV. Chapter 18."The ChristianOrator is Constantly Dealing with Great
Matters. 35. Now the author I have quoted could have...
Eloquence of the Temperate Style, Also, Must, in the Case of the...
... Book 4 Chapter 57. Eloquence of the temperate style, also, must, in the case
of the Christianorator? 57. Eloquence of the temperate...
Passion and Persuasion
... disposition of mind, of inflaming them with anger, of softening them to pity, so
as to draw tears from them, all this is rare, tho by it theorator is made...
Mr. Bernard Shaw
... action; his opponents depict him as a coarse man of business; when, as a fact, he
is neither one nor the other, but an admirable romanticorator and romantic...
Whether Theologians Should Take Note of the Circumstances of Human...
... circumstances. Objection 3: Further, the consideration of circumstances belongs
to theorator. But oratory is not a part of theology....
Thesaurus
Orator (3 Occurrences)... presents, with an appropriate address, those persons on whom honorary degrees are
to be conferred, and performs other like duties; -- called also public
orator...Ortion
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaORATOR; ORTION. or'-a-ter, o-ra'-shun: The
word "orator" occurs twice: (1) As the King James Version...
Tertullus (2 Occurrences)
... ter-tul'-us, ter- (Tertullos, diminutive of Latin tertius, "third"):, Anorator
who descended with Ananias the high priest and elders from Jerusalem to...
Eloquent (4 Occurrences)
... 3:3 the Revised Version (British and American) bin, "intelligent," is rendered
"skilful (enchanter)," the King James Version "eloquent (orator)." Apollos was...
Pulpit (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) A desk, or platform, for anorator or public speaker. 4. (a.) of or pertaining
to the pulpit, or preaching; as, a pulpitorator; pulpit eloquence. Int....
Orchard (3 Occurrences)
Oration (1 Occurrence)
Live (3203 Occurrences)
... live embers. 14. (a.) Full of earnestness; active; wide awake; glowing;
as, a live man, ororator. 15. (a.) Vivid; bright. 16. (a...
Informations (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:1 And after five days came down the high priest Ananias, with the elders,
and a certainorator called Tertullus, and laid their informations against...
Informed (39 Occurrences)
... Farewell." (See NAS NIV). Acts 24:1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias,
came down with certain elders and anorator, one Tertullus....
Resources
What does the Bible say about lawyers? | GotQuestions.orgWhy had the disciples in Ephesus not received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.orgOrator: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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