In the context of the Bible, the term "commander" refers to a leader or chief officer, often in a military setting. Commanders played significant roles in the narratives of the Old and New Testaments, serving as leaders in battles, protectors of territories, and figures of authority within the armies of Israel and other nations.

Old Testament Context

1. Role and Function: Commanders in the Old Testament were responsible for leading troops into battle, strategizing military campaigns, and ensuring the safety and order of their forces. They were often appointed by kings or other high-ranking officials and were expected to demonstrate courage, wisdom, and loyalty.

2. Notable Commanders:
· Joab: One of the most prominent commanders in the Old Testament, Joab was the commander of King David's army. He played a crucial role in many of David's military victories and was known for his fierce loyalty to the king, though his actions were sometimes controversial. In 2 Samuel 10:7, Joab is mentioned as leading the army against the Ammonites: "When David heard about this, he sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men."
· Abner: Initially the commander of Saul's army, Abner later supported Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, before ultimately aligning with David. His account is detailed in 2 Samuel, where his shifting allegiances and eventual death are recounted.

3. Divine Guidance: Commanders in Israel often sought divine guidance before engaging in battle. This is evident in the account of Joshua, who, as a commander, received direct instructions from God on how to conquer Jericho (Joshua 6).

New Testament Context

1. Roman Commanders: The New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and Acts, references Roman military commanders, reflecting the Roman occupation of Judea during this period. These commanders were responsible for maintaining order and executing the directives of the Roman Empire.

2. Centurions: A centurion was a commander of a hundred soldiers in the Roman army. Several centurions are mentioned in the New Testament, often portrayed in a positive light. For example, in Matthew 8:5-13, a centurion approaches Jesus, demonstrating great faith in His healing power. Jesus commends the centurion's faith, saying, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" (Matthew 8:10).

3. Acts of the Apostles: The Book of Acts provides accounts of Roman commanders interacting with early Christians. In Acts 21:31-32, a Roman commander intervenes to save Paul from a mob in Jerusalem, highlighting the role of commanders in maintaining public order: "As they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman cohort received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. Immediately he took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd."

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

Commanders in the Bible often symbolize leadership, authority, and the responsibility of guiding others. Their accounts reflect themes of loyalty, justice, and the importance of seeking God's guidance in leadership roles. The actions and decisions of commanders, whether aligned with God's will or not, had significant impacts on the course of biblical history and the lives of the people they led.

The End of the War
... We are ever apt to think too much of our visible weapons and leaders, and to forget
our unseen and ever- present Commander, from whom comes all our power. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of the war.htm

Now, as Soon as the Inhabitants of that City Understood the ...
... So they snatched up their arms, and desired me to be their leader against them;
for they said they would avenge their commander's cause upon them. ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 19 now as soon.htm

The Centurion
... authority. He goes to his commander and gets orders for the day. He does
not pretend to know everything about his commander's plans. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/v the centurion.htm

The Owner and his Slaves
... You remember the occasion when a Roman officer, by reflecting upon the military
discipline of the legion, and the mystical power that the commander's word had ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the owner and his slaves.htm

The Call of Moses
... The commander's summons which brings a man from the rear rank and sets him in
the van of a storming-party may well make its receiver shrink. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the call of moses.htm

How Titus Marched to Jerusalem, and How He was in Danger as He was ...
... all the other auxiliaries with them; after whom followed those that were to prepare
the roads and measure out the camp; then came the commander's baggage, and ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus marched.htm

Whether it is Possible in this Life to Fulfil this Precept of the ...
... Thus if the commander of an army order his soldiers to fight, his command will be
perfectly obeyed by those who fight and conquer the foe, which is the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is possible in.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... The commander's faith and courage were contagious, and the spies came back from
their perilous reconnaissance of Ai with the advice that a small detachment was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

Servants and Lords
... The soldier's reward is his commander's praise, the slave's joy is the master's
smile, and for us it ought to be the law of our lives, and in the measure in ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/servants and lords.htm

Stones Crying Out
... in Pompeii, who stuck to his post while the ashes were falling thick, and was smothered
by them, rather than leave his charge without his commander's orders. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/stones crying out.htm

Commander's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Commander's (3 Occurrences). Acts 21:40 When he had
given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned ...
/c/commander's.htm - 7k

Lawgiver (7 Occurrences)
... It means (1) the symbol which expresses the lawmaker's authority, that is, the
commander's staff; and (2) the person who possesses the authority (Deuteronomy 33 ...
/l/lawgiver.htm - 13k

Commandest (3 Occurrences)

/c/commandest.htm - 7k

Commanders (93 Occurrences)

/c/commanders.htm - 36k

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