In the biblical context, the term "governor" refers to an official appointed to oversee a specific region or province. The role of a governor varied depending on the historical and political context within the biblical narrative. Governors were often responsible for maintaining order, collecting taxes, and implementing the decrees of higher authorities, such as kings or emperors.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, governors are mentioned in various contexts, often as officials under the authority of a king. For example, during the Persian period, governors were appointed to oversee the provinces of the vast empire. Nehemiah, a prominent figure in the post-exilic period, served as the governor of Judah under the Persian king Artaxerxes. Nehemiah 5:14 states, "Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his twentieth year until his thirty-second year—twelve years—I and my brothers did not eat the food allotted to the governor."

The role of governors in the Old Testament also included the administration of justice and the enforcement of laws. In the book of Esther, we see the mention of governors in the Persian Empire, highlighting their role in the communication and implementation of royal decrees (Esther 3:12).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "governor" is often associated with Roman officials who governed provinces in the Roman Empire. One of the most notable governors mentioned is Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, who presided over the trial of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 27:2 , it is recorded, "And they bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor."

Governors in the Roman context had significant authority, including the power to judge legal cases and execute sentences. This is evident in the trial of Jesus, where Pilate, despite his initial reluctance, ultimately authorized the crucifixion (John 19:16).

Another example of a governor in the New Testament is Felix, who governed Judea and before whom the Apostle Paul was brought for trial. Acts 24:10 records Paul's defense before Felix: "When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: 'Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.'"

Role and Significance

Governors in the biblical narrative played crucial roles in the administration of justice and governance. They were often intermediaries between the central authority and the local populace, tasked with maintaining order and implementing the policies of their superiors. The interactions between biblical figures and governors often highlight the tension between earthly authority and divine purpose, as seen in the trials of Jesus and Paul.

The position of governor, while a role of significant power and responsibility, also serves as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout the biblical narrative.4232. praitorion -- Praetorium (official residence of a governor) ...
... Praetorium (official residence of a governor), praetorian guard. Part of Speech:
Noun, Neuter Transliteration: praitorion Phonetic Spelling: (prahee-to'-ree-on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4232.htm - 7k

2232. hegemon -- a leader, governor
... a leader, governor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: hegemon Phonetic
Spelling: (hayg-em-ohn') Short Definition: a governor Definition: a leader ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2232.htm - 6k

6346. pechah -- a governor
... 6345, 6346. pechah. 6347 . a governor. Transliteration: pechah Phonetic
Spelling: (peh-khaw') Short Definition: governors. Word ...
/hebrew/6346.htm - 6k

At the Governor's House
... Wesley Collects Money for the Poor; Visits the House of Lords; His Reasons for his
Long Life; "How is the Tide Turned;" Last Entries At the Governor's House. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/at the governors house.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... compare the daily furniture of king Solomon's table, here set down, and 1 Kings
4;22, 23, with the like daily furniture of Nehemiah the governor's table, after ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

The Continuation of the Story
... To Taiyueanfu they went, and after many anxious days spent with the missionaries
gathered there they, in obedience to the Governor's command, helpless to ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter iv the continuation of.htm

St. Cyprian.
... flocks. Cyprian was carried before the governor of Africa, and, on being
questioned by him, he said. "I am a Christian and a bishop. ...
/.../chapter viii st cyprian.htm

Of the Absence of any Discrepancies in the Accounts which the ...
... 32. He next proceeds as follows: "And Jesus stood before the governor: and the
governor asked Him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter viii of the absence of.htm

The Life of Mr. George Wishart.
... himself, with the earls of Huntly, Argyle and Murray to be regents of the kingdom:
The cheat being discovered, the earl of Arran was elected governor, and the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr george.htm

Jesus Sentenced
... expedient, equally in vain. The hesitating governor has no chance with the
resolute, rooted hate of the rulers. Jesus silently and ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/jesus sentenced.htm

Joshua Kocherthal.
... Every person received a grant of fifty acres and the congregation five hundred acres
of church land, which, however, the British Governor in 1750 awarded to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/joshua kocherthal.htm

Paul Appeals to Caesar
... In answer to the governor's question, Paul said: "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat,
where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 40 paul appeals to.htm

Britain's Mercies, and Britain's Duty
... not be informed, that being indispensably obliged to be absent on your late
thanksgiving day, I could not show my obedience to the governor's proclamation, ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/britains mercies and britains duty.htm

Governor's (6 Occurrences)
...Governor's (6 Occurrences). ... Matthew 27:27 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus
into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. ...
/g/governor's.htm - 8k

Praetorium (8 Occurrences)
... The Greek word (praitorion) thus rendered in Mark 15:16 is rendered "common hall"
(Matthew 27:27, marg., "governor's house"), "judgment hall," (John 18:28, 33 ...
/p/praetorium.htm - 14k

Governors (43 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and
Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharesachites, who were beyond the ...
/g/governors.htm - 21k

Opportunity (35 Occurrences)
... act the part of good and honest men, that they might fasten on some expression of
His, so as to hand Him over to the ruling power and the Governor's authority. ...
/o/opportunity.htm - 17k

Judgment (430 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:16 the word is rendered "Praetorium" (qv), which is a Latin word, meaning
literally the residence of the praetor, and then the governor's residence in ...
/j/judgment.htm - 52k

Gathered (384 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:27 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium,
and gathered the whole garrison together against him. ...
/g/gathered.htm - 35k

Governorship (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The office of a governor. Multi-Version
Concordance Governorship (1 Occurrence). Luke 2:2 It was the ...
/g/governorship.htm - 6k

Garrison (15 Occurrences)
... Garrison (15 Occurrences). Matthew 27:27 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus
into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. ...
/g/garrison.htm - 13k

Gets (122 Occurrences)
... straying? (WEY). Matthew 28:14 If this comes to the governor's ears, we will
persuade him and make you free of worry." (See NIV). Mark ...
/g/gets.htm - 33k

Worry (14 Occurrences)
... unfruitful. (See NAS). Matthew 28:14 If this comes to the governor's ears,
we will persuade him and make you free of worry." (WEB). Mark ...
/w/worry.htm - 10k

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