Sheriff
/SHER-if/
Summary
A Babylonian official, probably a lawyer or jurist who decided points of law in court proceedings.
☩Babylonian Office
The term 'sheriff' occurs only in Daniel 3:2-3, rendering the Chaldean 'tiphtay.' This likely derives from an Old Persian word meaning 'supreme master.' They were probably lawyers or jurists, similar to the modern Mohammedan mufti who decides points of law in Turkish courts. At best, however, the translation 'sheriff' is but a conjecture.
Key verses:Daniel 3:2-3
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sheriff," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sheriff," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Sheriff," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).