Footman
“Runners, from the verb to run”
Summary
A term used in Scripture to denote infantry soldiers or swift runners who attended the king, serving as royal guards and messengers.
☩Infantry Soldiers
Generally, 'footman' distinguished those of the fighting-men who went on foot from those who were on animals or in chariots. The Hebrew word ragli, from regel (foot), designates the infantry of an army or those simply who journeyed on foot, whether soldiers or not. It is a military term frequently used in census accounts and battle descriptions.
☩Royal Runners
The word occurs in a more special sense as the translation of a different term, rats (from 'to run'), referring to a body of swift runners in attendance on the king. Samuel foretold this institution: 'He will take your sons and appoint them to run before his chariots.' This body appears to have been distinct from the body-guard and was afterwards kept up. They also served as couriers of the Persian king.
☩Valued Skill
Swift running was evidently a valued accomplishment of a perfect warrior (gibbor) among the Israelites. David was famed for his powers of running—they seem characteristic of him—and he made them a special subject of thanksgiving to God. The cases of Cushi and Ahimaaz demonstrate the importance of swift runners as messengers. Asahel also was 'swift on his feet.'
Related Verses1 mention
1 Samuel· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Footman," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Footman," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Footman," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).