Governor
From BibleEncyclopedia.Net
guv´ẽr-nẽr:
The word “governor” is employed in English Versions of the Bible in rendering a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. In certain cases strict consistency is neither observed nor possible.
1. In the Old Testament
In the rendering of Hebrew terms account has naturally been taken of the translations offered in Septuagint, which, being the work of different hands, is both uneven in quality and inconsistent. But there are inherent difficulties which can never be entirely overcome. First and most important, there is the difficulty arising from our ignorance of many details of the government of the oriental nations to which the terms apply. Hardly less is the embarrassment occasioned by the vague employment of words in indiscriminate reference to persons of superior rank and somehow exercising authority. There is consequently much confusion in the use of titles such as “deputy,” “duke,” “judge,” “lawgiver,” “overseer” “prince” “ruler” etc. for which the student may consult the special articles.
(1) אלּוּף, 'alluwph or אלּף, 'allūph, “governor” (the Revised Version (British and American) “chieftain”) in Judah (Zechariah 9:7; Zechariah 12:5 f). Heb. aluph, literally one put over a thousand, i.e., a clan or a subdivision of a tribe. Used of the “dukes” of Edom (Genesis 36), and of the Jewish chiefs (Zechariah 9:7).
(2) חוקק, ḥōḳēḳ (Judges 5:9; Judges 5:14, the King James Version margin”or lawgivers”). The word is variously rendered with “ruler” or “lawgiver” in English Versions of the Bible of Genesis 49:10; Deuteronomy 33:21; Isaiah 33:22.
(3) משׁל, mōshēl, participle of משׁל, māshal, “to be master,” “to rule” (Genesis 45:26, the Revised Version (British and American) “ruler”). Heb. moshel, one who rules, holds dominion. Used of many classes of rulers (Genesis 3:16; Genesis 24:2; Genesis 45:8; Psalms 105:20); of the Messiah (Micah 5:2); of God (1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalms 103:19).
(4) נשׂיא, nāsī' (2 Chronicles 1:2, the Revised Version (British and American) “prince”). Heb. nasi, raised; exalted. Used to denote the chiefs of families (Numbers 3:24, Numbers 3:30, Numbers 3:32, Numbers 3:35); also of tribes (Numbers 2:3; Numbers 7:2; Numbers 3:32). These dignities appear to have been elective, not hereditary.
(5) סגן, ṣāghān (Daniel 3:2 f; Jeremiah 51:23, the Revised Version, margin “or lieutenants”; Jeremiah 51:28, Jeremiah 51:57; Ezekiel 23:6, Ezekiel 23:12, Ezekiel 23:23). The same word is rendered “rulers” or “deputies” (Isaiah 41:25; Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 2:16; Nehemiah 5:7; Nehemiah 7:5; Nehemiah 12:40). The Chaldean word segan is applied to the governors of the Babylonian satrapies (Daniel 3:2, Daniel 3:27; Daniel 6:7); the prefects over the Magi (Daniel 2:48). The corresponding Hebrew word segan is used of provincial rulers (Jeremiah 51:23, Jeremiah 51:28, Jeremiah 51:57); also of chiefs and rulers of the people of Jerusalem (Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 2:16; Nehemiah 4:14, Nehemiah 4:19; Nehemiah 5:7, Nehemiah 5:17; Nehemiah 7:5; Nehemiah 12:40).
(6) פחה, peḥāh, whence pasha, i.e., friend of the king; adjutant; governor of a province (2 Kings 18:24; Isaiah 36:9; Jeremiah 51:57; Ezekiel 23:6, Ezekiel 23:23; Daniel 3:2; Esther 3:12), or a perfect (Nehemiah 3:7; Nehemiah 5:14; Ezra 5:3; Haggai 1:1). This is a foreign word, Assyrian, which was early adopted into the Hebrew idiom (1 Kings 10:15). פחה,peḥāh, is variously used:
(a) of the military governor of a province among the Assyrians (Isaiah 36:9);
(b) among the Chaldees (Ezekiel 23:6, Ezekiel 23:23; Jeremiah 51:23, Jeremiah 51:18, Jeremiah 51:57);
(c) among the Persians (Esther 3:12; Esther 8:9; Esther 9:3);
(d) of the governor-general of the province beyond the River (Euphrates) (Ezra 8:36; Nehemiah 2:7 Nehemiah 2::9);
(e) of Nehemiah as subordinate “governor in the land of Judah” under him (Nehemiah 5:14);
(f) of Zerubbabel as “governor of Judah” (Haggai 1:1, Haggai 1:14; Haggai 2:2, Haggai 2:21);
(g) of Solomon's governors (1 Kings 10:15; 1 Kings 20:24 (in Syria)).
(7) פקיד, pāḳīdh (Jeremiah 20:1, the Revised Version (British and American) “chief officer”). Elsewhere it is rendered “overseer” or “officer” (compare Genesis 41:34; 2 Kings 25:19; Nehemiah 11:9, Nehemiah 11:22). Heb. pakid, an officer or magistrate. It is used of the delegate of the high priest (2 Chronicles 24:11), the Levites (Nehemiah 11:22), a military commander (2 Kings 25:19), Joseph's officers in Egypt (Genesis 41:34).
(8) שׂר, sar “governor of the city” (1 Kings 22:26). Elsewhere commonly rendered “prince.” Heb. sar, a ruler or chief; a word of very general use. It is used of the chief baker of Pharaoh (Genesis 40:16); of the chief butler (Genesis 40:2, etc. See also Genesis 47:6; Exodus 1:11; Daniel 1:7; Judges 10:18; 1 Kings 22:26; 1 Kings 20:15; 2 Kings 1:9; 2 Samuel 24:2). It is used also of angels, guardian angels (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; Daniel 10:13; Daniel 8:25).
(9) שׁלּיט, shallīṭ (Genesis 42:6). Elsewhere rendered “ruler” or “captain.” Heb. shallit, one who has power, who rules (Genesis 42:6; Ezra 4:20; Ecclesiastes 8:8; Daniel 2:15; Daniel 5:29).
(10) תּרשׁתא, tirshāthā' the Revised Version (British and American) “the governor,” the King James Version “the Tirshatha” (Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:70). See Tirshatha.
(11) Heb. nagid, a prominent, conspicuous person, whatever his capacity: as, chief of the royal palace (2 Chronicles 28:7; compare 1 Kings 4:6), chief of the temple (1 Chronicles 9:11; Jeremiah 20:1), the leader of the Aaronites (1 Chronicles 12:27), keeper of the sacred treasury (1 Chronicles 26:24), captain of the army (1 Chronicles 13:1), the king (1 Samuel 9:16), the Messiah (Daniel 9:25).
2. In the New Testament
The word “governor” in English Versions of the Bible represents an almost equal variety of Greek words. Here again the usage is for the most part lax and untechnical; but since reference is chiefly had to officers of the Roman imperial administration, concerning which we possess ample information, no embarrassment is thereby occasioned. The words chiefly in use for “governor” are derived from root ag-, “drive,” “lead”:
(1) ἡγέομαι, hēgéomai, “lead” (Matthew 2:6; of Joseph as grand vizier of Egypt, Acts 7:10).
(2) ἡγεμών, hēgemṓn, “leader” (Matthew 10:18; 1 Peter 2:14; of Pilate, Matthew 27:2, Matthew 27:11, Matthew 27:14, Matthew 27:15, Matthew 27:21, Matthew 27:27; of Felix, Acts 23:24, Acts 23:26, Acts 23:33; of Festus, Acts 24:1, Acts 24:10; Acts 26:30). The Procurator of Judea under the Romans (Matthew 27:2). (Compare Luke 2:2, where the verb from which the Greek word so rendered is derived is used.)
(3) ἡγεμονεύω, hēgemoneúō, “function as leader” (Luke 2:2; of Pilate, Luke 3:1). To these are added terms of more specific meaning:
(4) ἐθνάρχης, ethnárchēs, “ethnarch” or “ruler of a nation” (2 Corinthians 11:32). See Government, 6, 7. Meaning an ethnarch (2 Corinthians 11:32), which was an office distinct from military command, with considerable latitude of application.
(5) εὐθύνω, euthúnō “direct,” “guide” (James 3:4). Here the Revised Version (British and American) properly render it “steersman.” A director, i.e., helmsman; Lat. gubernator, (James 3:4).
(6) ἀρχιτρίκλινος, architríklinos, “president of a banquet” (John 2:8 f, the American Standard Revised Version “ruler of the feast”). Governor of the feast (John 2:9), who appears here to have been merely an intimate friend of the bridegroom, and to have presided at the marriage banquet in his stead.
(7) οἰκονόμος, oikonómos, “steward,” “manager of a household or estate” (Galatians 4:2, the Revised Version (British and American) “stewards”).
It is thus seen that in the New Testament “governor” in the political sense occurs chiefly in reference to the Roman procurators of Judea - Pilate, Felix, and Festus. See Pontius Pilate; Felix; Porcius Festus. It remains for us here to speak briefly of the government of Roman provinces.
Latin provincia signifies a magistrate's sphere of duty or authority, either
(a) judicially or legally, defining the scope of his competence, or
(b) geographically, designating the territorial limits within which he may exercise authority.
It is in the latter sense that we are now considering the word. When, in the 3rd century BC, Rome began to rule conquered lands outside Italy, each territory was set under the authority of a single magistrate, and hence came to be called a “province.” Conquered territories left under the rule of native princes or kings were not so designated, although their government was practically directed by Rome. At first provinces were governed by proconsuls or proprietors (i.e. ex-consuls or ex- praetors); but with the steady multiplication of provinces various expedients became necessary in order to provide governors of suitable rank and dignity. Thus, the number of praetors was largely augmented, and the term of possible service as governor was extended. Under Augustus the provinces were parceled out between the emperor and the senate, the former reserving for himself such as seemed to require the maintenance of a considerable armed force. In these the emperor was himself proconsul. Early in the Empire imperial provinces of a different type appear, in which the emperor, regarded as sovereign proprietor, governs by a viceroy (praefectus) or steward (procurator). In some of these, tributary kings or princes ruled with the emperor's representative - a legatus or a procurator - by their side, much as England now rules Egypt. Among the provinces so ruled were Egypt and Judea, partly, no doubt, because of their strategic position, partly because of the temper of their inhabitants.
