In the context of the Bible, the term "commissioners" refers to individuals appointed to carry out specific duties or tasks, often related to governance, administration, or oversight. While the exact term "commissioners" may not frequently appear in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is evident through various roles and responsibilities assigned to leaders and officials in both the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of commissioners can be seen in the roles of officials appointed by kings or leaders to manage specific tasks. For example, during the reign of King Solomon, various officials were appointed to oversee different aspects of the kingdom's administration. Solomon's wisdom in governance is highlighted in 1 Kings 4:7, where it states, "Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each one made provision for one month of the year."

Similarly, in the book of Esther, King Ahasuerus appoints officials throughout his provinces. Esther 1:1 mentions the vastness of his kingdom, which required a structured administration: "This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of commissioners can be seen in the appointment of individuals to specific roles within the early Church. The apostles, for instance, were commissioned by Jesus Christ to spread the Gospel and establish the Church. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

Additionally, the early Church appointed deacons and elders to manage the affairs of the community and ensure the needs of the congregation were met. Acts 6:3-4 describes the selection of seven men to serve and manage the distribution of food: "Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Roles and Responsibilities

Commissioners, or those in similar roles, were often tasked with maintaining order, ensuring justice, and managing resources. They were expected to act with integrity and wisdom, reflecting the values and laws of their leaders or the divine commandments. The Bible emphasizes the importance of righteous leadership and the consequences of failing to uphold these standards. Proverbs 29:2 states, "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Spiritual Implications

From a spiritual perspective, the concept of commissioners underscores the importance of stewardship and accountability. Those appointed to positions of authority are seen as stewards of God's creation and are expected to lead with humility and a servant's heart. This is echoed in 1 Peter 5:2-3, where church leaders are instructed: "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."

In summary, while the specific term "commissioners" may not be prevalent in biblical texts, the roles and responsibilities associated with this concept are integral to the governance and spiritual leadership depicted throughout Scripture.5632. sarak -- chief, overseer
... 5631, 5632. sarak. 5633 . chief, overseer. Transliteration: sarak Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-rake') Short Definition: commissioners. ...
/hebrew/5632.htm - 5k

First Letter of the Commissioners of the East, Sent to Chalcedon ...
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CLXIII. First Letter of the Commissioners
of the East, sent to Chalcedon, among whom was Theodoretus. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/clxiii first letter of the.htm

First Petition of the Commissioners, Addressed from Chalcedon, to ...
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CLXVI. First Petition of the Commissioners,
addressed from Chalcedon, to the Emperor. It had been ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/clxvi first petition of the.htm

Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, and ...
... Homily XVII. Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops,
and C??sarius Master of the Offices? Of the Commissioners ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xvii of the commissioners.htm

The Thunderbolt Averted
... Next morning the Commissioners, with sad hearts, mounted the horses which stood
for them at the palace gate in splendid caparisons, and rode towards the Court ...
/.../chapter viii the thunderbolt averted.htm

It Has Come to Our Knowledge that Certain Persons...
... The imperial commissioners announced that it was to be settled not according to
"pragmatic forms," but according to those which had been enacted by the Fathers ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xii it has come.htm

The Life of Sir Archibald Johnston, Lord Warriston.
... of Rothes, Dunfermline and Loudon, the sheriff of Teviotdale, Mr. Henderson and
Mr. Archibald Johnston advocate for the church, as their commissioners to treat ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of sir archibald.htm

The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon.
... of the Persian empire."Plans of Darius."Persian power in Thrace."Attempted negotiation
with Macedon."The seven commissioners."Their rudeness at the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xi the invasion of.htm

The Martyr-Bishop, 1548-1560.
... Among the inhabitants of Leitomischl were certain renegade Brethren, and these now
said to the Royal Commissioners: "If the King could only capture and torture ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter x the martyr-bishop 1548-1560.htm

The Life of Mr. George Gillespie.
... Mr. George Gillespie was one of those four ministers who were sent as commissioners
from the church of Scotland to the Westminster assembly in the year 1643 ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr george 3.htm

The Life of Mr. David Black.
... The commissioners of the general assembly then sitting at Edinburgh, knowing that
the king was displeased at this proceeding, sent some of their number to ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr david.htm

Commissioners (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Commissioners (7 Occurrences). Genesis 41:34 Let
Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the ...
/c/commissioners.htm - 8k

Kemuel (3 Occurrences)
... Shem. They may not be the same person. (2) Prince of Ephraim, one of the
land commissioners who divided Canaan (Numbers 34:24). (3 ...
/k/kemuel.htm - 8k

Treaty (25 Occurrences)
... so made; specifically, an agreement, league, or contract between two or more nations
or sovereigns, formally signed by commissioners properly authorized, and ...
/t/treaty.htm - 16k

Return (499 Occurrences)
... 28. (n.) The sending back of a commission with the certificate of the
commissioners. 29. (n.) A day in bank. See Return day, below. 30. ...
/r/return.htm - 38k

Recorder (10 Occurrences)
... settlement. The Recorder of London is judge of the Lord Mayor's Court, and
one of the commissioners of the Central Criminal Court. ...
/r/recorder.htm - 12k

Mosollamus
... mo-sol'-a-mus: (1) the King James Version "Mosollam" (Mosollamos), one of the three
"assessors" appointed to the two commissioners in the inquiry made about ...
/m/mosollamus.htm - 7k

Mithradates
... the governor, Sanabassar (1 Esdras 2:11 equals "Mithredath" of Ezra 1:8). (2)
Apparently another person of the same name-one of the commissioners stationed in ...
/m/mithradates.htm - 7k

Board (47 Occurrences)
... or direction of some public or private business or trust; as, the Board of Admiralty;
a board of trade; a board of directors, trustees, commissioners, etc. ...
/b/board.htm - 23k

Commissions (1 Occurrence)

/c/commissions.htm - 6k

Commissioned (5 Occurrences)

/c/commissioned.htm - 8k

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