Kings: Officers of Recorder
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the role of the "recorder" is a significant yet often overlooked office within the administrative structure of the ancient Israelite monarchy. The recorder, sometimes referred to as a chronicler or remembrancer, was a high-ranking official in the royal court, responsible for maintaining records and overseeing various administrative duties. This position is mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament, highlighting its importance in the governance of the kingdom.

Biblical References and Duties

The office of the recorder is first mentioned during the reign of King David. In 2 Samuel 8:16-17 , it is noted: "Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests." Here, Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud is identified as the recorder, indicating his role as a key official in David's administration. The recorder's duties likely included keeping detailed records of the king's decisions, military campaigns, and other significant events, ensuring that the king's decrees and actions were documented for posterity and governance.

The position of the recorder continued to hold prominence during the reign of Solomon, David's son and successor. In 1 Kings 4:3 , it is recorded: "Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder." This continuity suggests that the role was institutionalized within the royal court, serving as a vital link in the administration's communication and record-keeping processes.

Historical and Cultural Context

The role of the recorder in ancient Israel can be compared to similar positions in other Near Eastern cultures, where scribes and chroniclers played crucial roles in maintaining the bureaucratic functions of the state. The recorder would have been responsible for compiling official documents, such as royal edicts, treaties, and historical records, which were essential for the administration of justice and governance.

In addition to record-keeping, the recorder may have served as an advisor to the king, providing insights based on historical precedents and documented events. This advisory capacity would have been invaluable in decision-making processes, as the king could rely on the recorder's knowledge of past events and legal matters.

Significance in the Monarchy

The presence of a recorder in the royal court underscores the organized and sophisticated nature of the Israelite monarchy. By maintaining accurate records, the recorder helped ensure continuity and stability within the kingdom, preserving the legacy of the king's reign for future generations. The role also highlights the importance of literacy and documentation in ancient Israel, reflecting a society that valued historical record and legal precision.

In summary, the office of the recorder was a crucial component of the administrative framework of the Israelite monarchy, serving as both a chronicler of events and an advisor to the king. Through the diligent work of recorders like Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud, the history and governance of Israel were meticulously documented, providing a foundation for the nation's identity and legacy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Samuel 8:16
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 4:3
Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Josiah
... and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair ... and to floor the houses which
the kings of Judah ... of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah.htm

Professor of Sanskrit, Bengali, and Marathi
... have received the homage of the tributary kings of our ... All the principal civil and
military officers at the ... sent out to Bombay as its first recorder, Sir James ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ix professor of sanskrit.htm

A Call to Prayer and Testimony
... the same word elsewhere translated "recorder"; and truly ... Oriental kings maintained
an officer whose business it ... English courts to remind the officers of their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a call to prayer and.htm

C. The Third Period. Chs. 6:12 to 8:56
... but he now determined to appoint officers who would ... prepared him to become a careful
recorder of facts ... apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.26 ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the third period chs.htm

The Holy War,
... Of men, of laws, of countries, and of kings: And in ... The Recorder was one whose name
was Forget-good ... when it needed, might choose them officers, governors, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... of Ahilud, who was mazhir, or recorder; he retained ... Tiglath-pileser received the
tributary kings of Syria ... mere provinces, administered by royal officers in the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Resources
What does it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Kings

Kings King

Kings of Israel not to be Foreigners

Kings without Understanding, are Oppressors

Kings: Able to Enforce Their Commands

Kings: Approached With Greatest Reverence

Kings: Arrayed in Royal Apparel

Kings: Attendants of, Stood in Their Presence

Kings: Attended by a Body-Guard

Kings: Be not Presumptuous Before

Kings: Called the Lord's Anointed

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Anointing

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Covenanting to Govern Lawfully

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Crowning

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Enthroning

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Feasting

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Girding on the Sword

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Offering Sacrifice

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Proclaiming With Trumpets

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Putting Into Their Hands the Books of the Law

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Receiving Homage

Kings: Ceremonies at Inauguration of Shouting "God Save the King"

Kings: Christ is the King of

Kings: Christ is the Prince of

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Absalom Against David

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Adonijah Against Solomon

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Baasha Against Nadab

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Jehu Against Joram

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Jeroboam Against Rehoboam

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Menahem Against Shallum

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Omri Against Zimri

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Pekah Against Menahem

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Shallum Against Zachariah

Kings: Conspiracies Against: Zimri Against Elah

Kings: Curse Not, Even in Thought

Kings: Dependent on the Earth

Kings: Dwelt in Royal Palaces

Kings: Evil Counsellors should be Removed From

Kings: Exercised Great Hospitality

Kings: First Given to Israel in Anger

Kings: Folly of Resisting

Kings: Forbidden to Multiply: Horses

Kings: Forbidden to Multiply: Treasure

Kings: Forbidden to Multiply: Wives

Kings: God Anoints

Kings: God Chooses

Kings: God Ordains

Kings: God Reserved to Himself the Choice of

Kings: Good: Amaziah

Kings: Good: Asa

Kings: Good: David

Kings: Good: Hezekiah

Kings: Good: Jehoshaphat

Kings: Good: Josiah

Kings: Good: Uzziah

Kings: Guilt and Danger of Stretching out the Hand Against

Kings: had Power to Make War and Peace

Kings: Israel Asked For, That They Might be Like the Nations

Kings: Israel in Seeking, Rejected God As Their King

Kings: Israel Warned Against Seeking

Kings: Judgments Upon, when Opposed to Christ

Kings: Laws for the Government of the Kingdom By, Written by Samuel

Kings: Names of, often Changed at Their Accession

Kings: Not Save by Their Armies

Kings: Numerous Subjects the Honor of

Kings: Officers of Armour-Bearer

Kings: Officers of Captain of the Guard

Kings: Officers of Captain of the Host

Kings: Officers of Comptroller of the Household

Kings: Officers of Confidant or King's Special Friend

Kings: Officers of Cup-Bearer

Kings: Officers of First Counsellor

Kings: Officers of Master of the Wardrobe

Kings: Officers of Overseer of Royal Camels

Kings: Officers of Overseer of Royal Farms

Kings: Officers of Overseer of Royal Flocks

Kings: Officers of Overseer of Royal Herds

Kings: Officers of Overseer of Royal Plantations

Kings: Officers of Overseer of Royal Vineyards

Kings: Officers of Overseer of the Tribute

Kings: Officers of Prime Minister

Kings: Officers of Providers for the King's Table

Kings: Officers of Recorder

Kings: Officers of Scribe or Secretary

Kings: Officers of Storekeeper

Kings: Officers of Treasurer

Kings: Often Exercised Power Arbitrarily

Kings: Often Reproved by God

Kings: Pay Tribute To

Kings: Presented With Gifts by Strangers

Kings: Prolong Their Reign by Hating Covetousness

Kings: Punished for Transgressing the Divine Law

Kings: Punishment for Resisting the Lawful Authority of

Kings: Reign by Direction of Christ

Kings: Removed by God

Kings: Rendered Hereditary in the Family of David

Kings: Required to Write and Keep by Them, a Copy of the Divine Law

Kings: Resistance To, is Resistance to the Ordinance of God

Kings: Right Hand of, the Place of Honor

Kings: Set up by God

Kings: should be Feared

Kings: should be Honored

Kings: should be Obeyed

Kings: should be Prayed For

Kings: should be Reverenced

Kings: should Fear God

Kings: should Investigate all Matters

Kings: should Keep the Law of God

Kings: should Maintain the Cause of the Poor and Oppressed

Kings: should not Pervert Judgment

Kings: should Nourish the Church

Kings: should Promote the Interests of the Church

Kings: should Rule in the Fear of God

Kings: should Serve Christ

Kings: should Study the Scriptures

Kings: Sin of Israel in Seeking

Kings: Sometimes Nominated Their Successors

Kings: Speak No Evil of

Kings: Specially Warned Against: Hearkening to Lies

Kings: Specially Warned Against: Impurity

Kings: Specially Warned Against: Intemperance

Kings: Specially Warned Against: Lying

Kings: Supreme Judges of Nations

Kings: The Gospel to be Preached To

Kings: Their Revenues Derived From: Produce of Their own Lands

Kings: Their Revenues Derived From: Tax on Foreign Merchandise

Kings: Their Revenues Derived From: Tax on Produce of the Land

Kings: Their Revenues Derived From: Their own Flocks and Herds

Kings: Their Revenues Derived From: Tribute from Foreign Nations

Kings: Their Revenues Derived From: Voluntary Contributions

Kings: They That Walk After the Flesh Despise

Kings: Throne of, Established by Righteousness and Justice

Kings: when First Established in Israel, not Hereditary

Kings: when Good are Pacified by Submission

Kings: when Good: Abhor Wickedness

Kings: when Good: Befriend the Good

Kings: when Good: Discountenance Evil

Kings: when Good: Favour the Wise

Kings: when Good: Honor the Diligent

Kings: when Good: Love Righteous Lips

Kings: when Good: Punish the Wicked

Kings: when Good: Regard God As Their Strength

Kings: when Good: Speak Righteously

Kings: Who Reigned Over all Israel: David

Kings: Who Reigned Over all Israel: Rehoboam (First Part of his Reign)

Kings: Who Reigned Over all Israel: Saul

Kings: Who Reigned Over all Israel: Solomon

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Ahab

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Ahaziah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Baasha

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Elah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Hoshea

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Jehoahaz

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Jehoash or Joash

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Jehoram or Joram

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Jehu

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Jeroboam

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Jeroboam the Second

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Menahem

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Nadab

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Omri

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Pekah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Pekahiah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Shallum

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Zachariah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Zimri

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Abijam or Abijah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Ahaz

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Ahaziah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Amaziah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Amon

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Asa

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Athaliah, Mother of Ahaziah (Usurper)

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Azariah or Uzziah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Hezekiah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jehoahaz

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jehoiachin

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jehoiakim

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jehoram or Joram

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jehoshaphat

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Joash or Jehoash

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Josiah

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jotham

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Manasseh

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Rehoboam (Latter Part of his Reign)

Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Zedekiah

Related Terms

Kings (350 Occurrences)

Shrines (40 Occurrences)

Shutting (43 Occurrences)

Shim'ei (40 Occurrences)

Secretary (34 Occurrences)

Sacrificing (39 Occurrences)

Shrine (34 Occurrences)

Sun (1708 Occurrences)

Supports (25 Occurrences)

Supported (43 Occurrences)

Shaphan (26 Occurrences)

Sackcloth (47 Occurrences)

Shallum (27 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Sepharvaim (6 Occurrences)

Snuffers (8 Occurrences)

Supporting (31 Occurrences)

Shunammite (8 Occurrences)

Kidron (11 Occurrences)

Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)

Supplication (71 Occurrences)

Sidonians (16 Occurrences)

Shishak (6 Occurrences)

Zimri (16 Occurrences)

Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)

Shunem (3 Occurrences)

Serveth (24 Occurrences)

Supplied (22 Occurrences)

Shalmaneser (3 Occurrences)

Shape (17 Occurrences)

Shebna (9 Occurrences)

Surrounded (51 Occurrences)

Slept (74 Occurrences)

Servant's (29 Occurrences)

Silverlings (24 Occurrences)

Vine-garden (43 Occurrences)

Succeeded (81 Occurrences)

Zidon (25 Occurrences)

Scribe (55 Occurrences)

Standeth (111 Occurrences)

Solomon's (56 Occurrences)

Seraiah (18 Occurrences)

Shower (22 Occurrences)

Sheweth (34 Occurrences)

Segub (3 Occurrences)

Saddled (11 Occurrences)

Sixteen (24 Occurrences)

Shelters (9 Occurrences)

Sacrificeth (22 Occurrences)

Zebah (9 Occurrences)

600 (4 Occurrences)

Shimei (43 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Smashed (22 Occurrences)

Shimeath (2 Occurrences)

Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)

Spared (45 Occurrences)

Soft (36 Occurrences)

Square (94 Occurrences)

Sickness (40 Occurrences)

Severely (48 Occurrences)

Vexed (37 Occurrences)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Spied (14 Occurrences)

Soles (14 Occurrences)

Snuffdishes (3 Occurrences)

Zalmunna (9 Occurrences)

Spreadeth (37 Occurrences)

Seats (40 Occurrences)

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

Size (39 Occurrences)

Shewed (105 Occurrences)

Shewn (46 Occurrences)

Violently (92 Occurrences)

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)

Sama'ria (102 Occurrences)

Sayest (66 Occurrences)

Kings: Officers of Providers for the King's Table
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