In biblical times, criers played a significant role in the communication and dissemination of important messages. These individuals were tasked with vocally proclaiming news, decrees, or announcements to the public, often in a town square or other central location. The role of a crier was crucial in a society where literacy was not widespread, and written communication was limited.

Old Testament References

The concept of a crier is evident in various Old Testament passages, where individuals are appointed to announce significant events or divine messages. One notable example is found in the book of Esther. In Esther 6:9, Haman is instructed to proclaim the honor of Mordecai throughout the city: "Then let the robe and the horse be placed in the hands of one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them array the man whom the king desires to honor, and let him be led on the horse through the city square, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man whom the king desires to honor!’" . Here, the act of proclaiming is a public declaration of the king's favor.

Another example is found in the book of Jonah. Jonah 3:4 describes Jonah's role as a crier when he enters Nineveh: "On the first day of his journey, Jonah set out into the city and proclaimed, 'Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!'" . Jonah's proclamation serves as a divine warning to the people of Nineveh, urging them to repent.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the role of a crier is less explicitly mentioned, but the concept of proclaiming or heralding is present, particularly in the context of spreading the Gospel. John the Baptist is often seen as a herald or crier, preparing the way for Jesus Christ. In John 1:23, John the Baptist identifies himself with the words of Isaiah: "John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: 'I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’" . His role was to announce the coming of the Messiah and call people to repentance.

Additionally, the apostles and early Christians took on the role of criers as they spread the message of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire. Acts 17:6-7 describes how the apostles were perceived in Thessalonica: "But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus.'" . The apostles' proclamation of Jesus as King was a bold declaration that challenged the existing order.

Symbolic and Prophetic Significance

The role of criers in the Bible also carries symbolic and prophetic significance. In Isaiah 40:3, the voice of one calling in the wilderness is a prophetic announcement of the coming of the Lord: "A voice of one calling: 'Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.'" . This passage is often associated with John the Baptist and the preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ.

In Revelation, the act of proclaiming is seen in the context of divine judgment and the ultimate victory of God. Revelation 14:6-7 describes an angel proclaiming the eternal gospel: "Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. And he said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.'" . This proclamation serves as a final call to repentance and worship.

Conclusion

Criers in the Bible served as vital communicators of important messages, whether they were royal decrees, divine warnings, or the proclamation of the Gospel. Their role underscores the importance of vocal proclamation in a time when written communication was limited, and it highlights the power of spoken words in conveying God's messages to His people.

Bunyan's Last Sermon --Preached July 1688.
... You that are born of God, and Christians, if you be not criers, there is no spiritual
life in you; if you be born of God, you are crying ones; as soon as he ...
/.../bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/bunyans last sermonpreached july 1688.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... You that are born of God, and Christians, if you be not criers, there is no spiritual
life in you"if you be born of God, you are crying ones; as soon as he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Call for Volunteers.
... They were all volunteers. When the call came they rallied to the leader's side.
Gideon sent runners, criers, out throughout that whole section. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/call for volunteers.htm

In Her Wanderings on that Quest, She Reaches the Confines of ...
... and from whom is derived that name famous among the Athenians, [4435] and those
who afterwards flourished as caduceatores, [4436] hierophants, and criers. ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/25 in her wanderings on.htm

Psalm XL.
... Such are those who are proud despisers, not pious entreaters for pardon; not
tearful criers for mercy: but such as Scripture thus describes. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xl.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 52, "Therefore Every ...
... they brought forth out of the evil treasure of their own heart, was one thing; another
what they gave utterance to out of the seat of Moses, the criers so to ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxiv on the words.htm

His Charge of Cowardice is Baseless: for Basil Displayed the ...
... are begun; their threats are thrown out; their anger rises to a still higher pitch;
there is the tragic pomp of trial over again, the criers, the apparitors ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 12 his charge of.htm

Love's Labours
... they must needs hurry off to their next neighbour with the savoury news, and then
they run up and down the street as though they had been elected common criers ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/loves labours.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... To this day the natives watch its advance with the same anxious eagerness; and from
the 3rd of July, public criers, walking the streets of Cairo, announce each ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Christian Described
... All God's children are criers: Cannot you be quiet unless you are filled with the
milk of God's word? cannot you be satisfied unless you have peace with God? ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Criers (1 Occurrence)
...Criers (1 Occurrence). Daniel 3:4 Then one of the king's criers said in a loud voice,
To you the order is given, O peoples, nations, and languages, (BBE). ...
/c/criers.htm - 6k

Crier (1 Occurrence)
... Daniel 3:4 Then one of the king's criers said in a loud voice, To you the order
is given, O peoples, nations, and languages, (Root in BBE YLT). ...
/c/crier.htm - 8k

Loudly (31 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Daniel 3:4 Then one of the king's criers said in a loud voice, To you the
order is given, O peoples, nations, and languages, (See NAS NIV). ...
/l/loudly.htm - 15k

Cries (116 Occurrences)

/c/cries.htm - 34k

Book (211 Occurrences)
... were in ancient times published orally by heralds and minstrels and prophets; and
these primitive publishers are survived still by town criers, actors, reciters ...
/b/book.htm - 101k

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