Magistrate
Summary
Magistrates were public officials invested with civil authority to administer justice and enforce laws, mentioned throughout Scripture from the judges of Israel to the Roman praetors who imprisoned Paul.
☩Old Testament Magistrates
In ancient Israel, magistrates included the hereditary tribal chiefs, the judges appointed by Moses to rule over tens, fifties, hundreds, and thousands, and later the local officials who administered justice in the cities. The Hebrew word 'shophetim' (judges) describes those with judicial authority, while 'seganim' (nobles or prefects) refers to provincial administrators under Babylonian and Persian rule.
☩New Testament Usage
In the New Testament, the Greek 'archon' (ruler) and 'strategos' (praetor) describe civil magistrates. At Philippi, the 'strategoi' (praetors or chief magistrates) unlawfully beat and imprisoned Paul and Silas without trial—a violation of their Roman citizenship that caused the officials great alarm when discovered. Jesus taught His disciples not to be anxious when brought before magistrates, for the Holy Spirit would give them words to speak.
Related Verses10 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Magistrate," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Magistrate," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Magistrate," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).