Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the term "governor" referred to various officials who held authority over regions, provinces, or specific tasks. The role and responsibilities of a governor could vary significantly depending on the historical and cultural context within the biblical narrative.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, governors were often appointed by kings to oversee specific territories or tasks. For example, Joseph was appointed by Pharaoh as a governor over Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself, to manage the land during the years of plenty and famine (Genesis 41:40-41). Nehemiah served as the governor of Judah under the Persian king Artaxerxes, tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and instituting reforms (Nehemiah 5:14). The role of a governor in the Old Testament often involved administrative duties, military leadership, and judicial responsibilities. Governors were expected to maintain order, collect taxes, and ensure the king's decrees were enforced. In some cases, they were also responsible for the welfare of the people, as seen in Nehemiah's efforts to address the economic injustices faced by the Jews (Nehemiah 5:1-13). New Testament Context In the New Testament, the term "governor" is frequently associated with Roman officials who held authority over provinces in the Roman Empire. Pontius Pilate is one of the most well-known governors mentioned in the New Testament. He served as the Roman governor of Judea and presided over the trial of Jesus Christ, ultimately authorizing His crucifixion (Matthew 27:2; John 19:1-16). The role of a Roman governor included maintaining peace and order, collecting taxes, and administering justice. Governors were often seen as representatives of the emperor and wielded significant power over the regions they governed. The apostle Paul also encountered Roman governors during his missionary journeys, such as Sergius Paulus in Cyprus (Acts 13:7) and Felix and Festus in Caesarea (Acts 24:27; Acts 25:1). Biblical Themes and Significance The concept of governance in the Bible underscores the importance of leadership and accountability. Governors, whether appointed by earthly kings or Roman authorities, were expected to act justly and uphold the laws of the land. The Bible often highlights the tension between human authority and divine sovereignty, as seen in the interactions between biblical figures and governors. For instance, the trial of Jesus before Pilate illustrates the conflict between earthly governance and the divine plan of salvation. Despite Pilate's authority, he ultimately played a role in fulfilling God's redemptive purpose through Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. In the broader biblical narrative, the role of governors serves as a reminder of the need for righteous leadership and the ultimate authority of God over all human institutions. The Bible encourages believers to respect and pray for those in authority, recognizing that all authority is established by God (Romans 13:1-7). Conclusion The role of governors in the Bible reflects the complexities of leadership and governance in both the Old and New Testaments. Whether serving under kings or emperors, governors were tasked with maintaining order and justice, often facing the challenge of balancing human authority with divine principles. Smith's Bible Dictionary GovernorIn the Authorized Version this one English word is the representative of no less than ten Hebrew and four Greek words.
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1.) Hebrews nagid, a prominent, conspicuous person, whatever his capacity: as, chief of the royal palace (2 Chronicles 28:7; Comp. 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 (26:24), captain of the army (13:1), the king (1 Samuel 9:16), the Messiah (Dan. 9:25). (2.) Hebrews nasi, raised; exalted. Used to denote the chiefs of families (Numbers 3:24, 30, 32, 35); also of tribes (2:3; 7:2; 3:32). These dignities appear to have been elective, not hereditary. (3.) Hebrews 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). (4.) Hebrews shallit, one who has power, who rules (Genesis 42:6; Ezra 4:20; Ecclesiastes 8:8; Dan. 2:15; 5:29). (5.) Hebrews 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). (6.) Hebrews moshel, one who rules, holds dominion. Used of many classes of rulers (Genesis 3:16; 24:2; 45:8; Psalm 105:20); of the Messiah (Micah 5:2); of God (1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalm 103:19). (7.) Hebrews 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 (40:2, etc. See also Genesis 47:6; Exodus 1:11; Dan. 1:7; Judges 10:18; 1 Kings 22:26; 20:15; 2 Kings 1:9; 2 Samuel 24:2). It is used also of angels, guardian angels (Dan. 10:13, 20, 21; 12:1; 10:13; 8:25). (8.) Pehah, whence pasha, i.e., friend of the king; adjutant; governor of a province (2 Kings 18:24; Isaiah 36:9; Jeremiah 51: 57; Ezek. 23:6, 23; Dan. 3:2; Esther 3:12), or a perfect (Nehemiah 3:7; 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). (9.) The Chaldean word segan is applied to the governors of the Babylonian satrapies (Dan. 3:2, 27; 6:7); the prefects over the Magi (2:48). The corresponding Hebrew word segan is used of provincial rulers (Jeremiah 51:23, 28, 57); also of chiefs and rulers of the people of Jerusalem (Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 2:16; 4:14, 19; 5:7, 17; 7:5; 12:40). In the New Testament there are also different Greek words rendered thus. (1.) Meaning an ethnarch (2 Corinthians 11:32), which was an office distinct from military command, with considerable latitude of application. (2.) The procurator of Judea under the Romans (Matthew 27:2). (Comp. Luke 2:2, where the verb from which the Greek word so rendered is derived is used.) (3.) Steward (Galatians 4:2). (4.) 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. (5.) A director, i.e., helmsman; Lat. gubernator, (James 3:4). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) One who governs; especially, one who is invested with the supreme executive authority in a State; a chief ruler or magistrate; as, the governor of Pennsylvania.2. (n.) One who has the care or guardianship of a young man; a tutor; a guardian. 3. (n.) A pilot; a steersman. 4. (n.) A contrivance applied to steam engines, water wheels, and other machinery, to maintain nearly uniform speed when the resistances and motive force are variable. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia GOVERNORguv'-er-ner: 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. Greek 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 4232. praitorion -- Praetorium (official residence of a governor) ... 4755. strategos -- a general, governor 1481. ethnarches -- an ethnarch, a governor (not king) of a ... 5344. Phelix -- "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea 3078. Lusanias -- "ending sorrow," Lysanias, a governor of Abilene 2958. Kurenios -- Quirinius, a governor of Syria 4194. Pontios -- Pontius (Pilate), a governor of Judea 5068a. tetraarches -- a tetrarch (the governor of a fourth part of ... 4201. Porkios -- Porcius (Festus), a governor of Judea Strong's Hebrew 6347. pechah -- a governor... 6346, 6347. pechah. 6348 . a governor. Transliteration: pechah Phonetic Spelling: (peh-khaw') Short Definition: governor. Word Origin ... /hebrew/6347.htm - 6k 6346. pechah -- a governor 8660. tirshatha -- (a Pers. title) governor 7984. shilton -- governor 8269. sar -- chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince 5387. nasiy' -- one lifted up, a chief, prince 6496. paqid -- commissioner, deputy, overseer 7989. shallit -- having mastery, domineering 5460. segan -- a prefect 2710. chaqaq -- to cut in, inscribe, decree Library To Salustius the Governor. At the Governor's House To Uranius, Governor of Cyprus. Letter Lxxxvi. To the Governor. Preached Before the Governor, and Council, and the House of ... Quirinius the Governor of Syria Then Affrodosius, that Governor of the City, when News of this was ... Letter clxxxvi. To Antipater, the Governor. Letter cccvi. To the Governor of Sebasteia. Letter Lxiii. To the Governor of Neoc??sarea. Thesaurus Governor (78 Occurrences)... (8.) Pehah, whence pasha, ie, friend of the king; adjutant; governor of a province (2 Kings 18:24; Isaiah 36:9; Jeremiah 51: 57; Ezek. 23:6, 23; Dan. ...GOVERNOR. ... /g/governor.htm - 48k Governor's (6 Occurrences) Johanan (31 Occurrences) Tattenai (4 Occurrences) Tatnai (4 Occurrences) Tirshatha (5 Occurrences) Deputy (7 Occurrences) Pashur (12 Occurrences) Apollonius Praetorium (8 Occurrences) Resources Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Porcius Festus? | GotQuestions.org Who is Drusilla in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Governor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Governor (78 Occurrences)Matthew 2:6 Matthew 27:2 Matthew 27:11 Matthew 27:14 Matthew 27:15 Matthew 27:21 Matthew 27:23 Matthew 27:27 Matthew 28:14 Luke 2:2 Luke 3:1 Luke 19:19 Luke 20:20 John 2:8 John 2:9 John 18:28 Acts 7:10 Acts 23:24 Acts 23:26 Acts 23:33 Acts 23:34 Acts 24:1 Acts 24:2 Acts 24:10 Acts 25:1 Acts 26:30 Acts 28:7 2 Corinthians 11:32 James 3:4 Genesis 42:6 Genesis 45:8 Genesis 45:26 Judges 9:30 1 Kings 4:19 1 Kings 18:3 1 Kings 22:26 2 Kings 10:5 2 Kings 23:8 2 Kings 25:22 2 Kings 25:23 1 Chronicles 29:22 2 Chronicles 1:2 2 Chronicles 18:25 2 Chronicles 19:11 2 Chronicles 28:7 2 Chronicles 34:8 Ezra 2:63 Ezra 5:3 Ezra 5:6 Ezra 5:14 Ezra 6:6 Ezra 6:7 Ezra 6:13 Nehemiah 3:7 Nehemiah 5:14 Nehemiah 5:18 Nehemiah 7:2 Nehemiah 7:65 Nehemiah 7:70 Nehemiah 8:9 Nehemiah 10:1 Nehemiah 12:26 Psalms 22:28 Isaiah 60:17 Jeremiah 20:1 Jeremiah 30:21 Jeremiah 40:5 Jeremiah 40:7 Jeremiah 40:11 Jeremiah 41:2 Jeremiah 41:18 Daniel 2:48 Haggai 1:1 Haggai 1:14 Haggai 2:2 Haggai 2:21 Zechariah 9:7 Malachi 1:8 Subtopics Related Terms Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences) Administrators (7 Occurrences) |