Bible Dictionary

Governor

Government & Society • Both

A governor is a ruler, officer, provincial administrator, military leader, steward, or presiding official, depending on the biblical context. The term is used for various leaders in Israel, foreign empires, and the Roman administration.

Definition

A governor is a ruler, chief, officer, provincial administrator, military commander, steward, or presiding official, according to the context. Biblical usage represents many different Hebrew and Greek terms rather than one uniform office.

Biblical Usage

The term is applied to leaders of families, tribes, armies, temples, treasuries, provinces, and peoples; to the Messiah and God; and in the New Testament to Roman officials such as Pilate, Felix, and Festus. It can also mean steward, governor of a feast, or helmsman.

Historical Background

The Old Testament uses titles from Israelite, Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian, and other administrative settings. Roman provinces were governed by officials whose authority could be judicial, military, or territorial. Judea and Egypt were among provinces administered through imperial representatives and, at times, local rulers.

Scripture References

2 Chronicles 28:7 1 Kings 4:6 1 Chronicles 9:11 Jeremiah 20:1 1 Chronicles 12:27 1 Samuel 9:16 Daniel 9:25 Numbers 3:24 Numbers 3:30 Numbers 3:32 Numbers 3:35 2 Chronicles 24:11 Nehemiah 11:22 2 Kings 25:19 Genesis 41:34 Genesis 42:6 Ezra 4:20 Ecclesiastes 8:8 Daniel 2:15 Daniel 5:29 Genesis 36 Zechariah 9:7 Genesis 3:16 Genesis 24:2 Genesis 45:8 Psalms 105:20 Micah 5:2 1 Chronicles 29:12 Psalms 103:19 Genesis 40:16 Genesis 47:6 Exodus 1:11 Daniel 1:7 Judges 10:18 1 Kings 22:26 1 Kings 20:15 2 Kings 1:9 2 Samuel 24:2 Daniel 10:13 Daniel 10:20 Daniel 10:21 2 Kings 18:24 Isaiah 36:9 Jeremiah 51 Ezekiel 23:6 Ezekiel 23:23 Daniel 3:2 Esther 3 Nehemiah 3:7 Nehemiah 5:14 Ezra 5:3 Haggai 1:1 1 Kings 10:15 Daniel 3:27 Jeremiah 51:23 Jeremiah 51:28 Jeremiah 51:57 Ezra 9:2 Nehemiah 2:16 Nehemiah 4:14 Nehemiah 4:19 Nehemiah 5:7 Nehemiah 5:17 Nehemiah 7:5 Nehemiah 12:40 2 Corinthians 11:32 Matthew 27:2 Luke 2:2 Galatians 4:2 John 2:9 James 3:4 Joshua 12:2 Psalms 100:20 2 Chronicles 23:20 2 Kings 11:19 2 Samuel 5:2 2 Samuel 6:21 1 Chronicles 29:22 2 Chronicles 32:21 2 Chronicles 19:11 2 Chronicles 9:14 1 Kings 20:24 2 Kings 23:8 Jeremiah 51:38 Ezra 8:30 Nehemiah 2:7 Nehemiah 2:9 Ezra 6:8 Nehemiah 5:18 Nehemiah 12:26 Ezra 4:14 Ezra 4:7 Ezra 6:6

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) Heb. nagid, a prominent, conspicuous person, whatever his capacity: as, chief of the royal palace (2 Chr. 28:7; comp. 1 Kings 4:6), chief of the temple (1 Chr. 9:11; Jer. 20:1), the leader of the Aaronites (1 Chr. 12:27), keeper of the sacred treasury (26:24), captain of the army (13:1), the king (1 Sam. 9:16), the Messiah (Dan. 9:25). (2.) Heb. nasi, raised; exalted. Used to denote the chiefs of families (Num. 3:24, 30, 32, 35); also of tribes (2:3; 7:2; 3:32). These dignities appear to have been elective, not hereditary. (3.) Heb. pakid, an officer or magistrate. It is used of the delegate of the high priest (2 Chr. 24:11), the Levites (Neh. 11:22), a military commander (2 Kings 25:19), Joseph’s officers in Egypt (Gen. 41:34). (4.) Heb. shallit, one who has power, who rules (Gen. 42:6; Ezra 4:20; Eccl. 8:8; Dan. 2:15; 5:29). (5.) Heb. aluph, literally one put over a thousand, i.e., a clan or a subdivision of a tribe. Used of the “dukes” of Edom (Gen. 36), and of the Jewish chiefs (Zech. 9:7). (6.) Heb. moshel, one who rules, holds dominion. Used of many classes of rulers (Gen. 3:16; 24:2; 45:8; Ps. 105:20); of the Messiah (Micah 5:2); of God (1 Chr. 29:12; Ps. 103:19). (7.) Heb. sar, a ruler or chief; a word of very general use. It is used of the chief baker of Pharaoh (Gen. 40:16); of the chief butler (40:2, etc. See also Gen. 47:6; Ex. 1:11; Dan. 1:7; Judg. 10:18; 1 Kings 22:26; 20:15; 2 Kings 1:9; 2 Sam. 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; Isa. 36:9; Jer. 51: 57; Ezek. 23:6, 23; Dan. 3:2; Esther 3: 12), or a perfect (Neh. 3:7; 5:14; Ezra 5:3; Hag. 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 (Jer. 51:23, 28, 57); also of chiefs and rulers of the people of Jerusalem (Ezra 9:2; Neh. 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 Cor. 11:32), which was an office distinct from military command, with considerable latitude of application. (2.) The procurator of Judea under the Romans (Matt. 27:2). (Comp. Luke 2:2, where the verb from which the Greek word so rendered is derived is used.) (3.) Steward (Gal. 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).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

In the Authorized Version this one English word is the representative of no less than ten Hebrew and four Greek words.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

guv'-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.1. In the Old Testament:In the rendering of Hebrew terms account has naturally been taken of the translations offered in Septuagint, which, being the work of different hands, is both uneven in quality and inconsistent. But there are inherent difficulties which can never be entirely overcome. First and most important, there is the difficulty arising from our ignorance of many details of the government of the oriental nations to which the terms apply. Hardly less is the embarrassment occasioned by the vague employment of words in indiscriminate reference to persons of superior rank and somehow exercising authority. There is consequently much confusion in the use of titles such as "deputy," "duke," "judge," "lawgiver," "overseer" "prince" "ruler" etc. for which the student may consult the special articles.(1) alluwph or `alluph, "governor" (the Revised Version (British and American) "chieftain") in Judah (Zec 9:7; 12:5 f).(2) choqeq (Jud 5:9; 5:14, the King James Version margin"or lawgivers"). The word is variously rendered with "ruler" or "lawgiver" in English Versions of the Bible of Ge 49:10; De 33:21; Isa 33:22.(3) moshel, participle of mashal, "to be master," "to rule" (Ge 45:26, the Revised Version (British and American) "ruler").(4) nasi' (2Ch 1:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "prince").(5) caghan (Da 3:2; Jer 51:23, the Revised Version, margin "or lieutenants"; Jer 51:28,57; Eze 23:6,12,23). The same word is rendered "rulers" or "deputies" (Isa 41:25; Ezr 9:2; Ne 2:16; 5:7; 7:5; 12:40).(6) pechah, is variously used:(a) of the military governor of a province among the Assyrians (Isa 36:9);(b) among the Chaldees (Eze 23:6,23; Jer 51:23,18,57);(c) among the Persians (Es 3:12; 8:9; 9:3);(d) of the governor-general of the province beyond the River (Euphrates) (Ezr 8:36; Ne 2:7:9);(e) of Nehemiah as subordinate "governor in the land of Judah" under him (Ne 5:14);(f) of Zerubbabel as "governor of Judah" (Hag 1:1,14; 2:2,21); (g) of Solomon's governors (1Ki 10:15; 20:24 (in Syria)).(7) paqidh (Jer 20:1, the Revised Version (British and American) "chief officer"). Elsewhere it is rendered "overseer" or "officer" (compare Ge 41:34; 2Ki 25:19; Ne 11:9,22).(8) sar "governor of the city" (1Ki 22:26). Elsewhere commonly rendered "prince."(9) shalliT (Ge 42:6). Elsewhere rendered "ruler" or "captain."(10) tirshatha' the Revised Version (British and American) "the governor," the King James Version "the Tirshatha" (Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:70).See TIRSHATHA.2. In the New Testament:The word "governor" in English Versions of the Bible represents an almost equal variety of Greek words. Here again the usage is for the most part lax and untechnical; but since reference is chiefly had to officers of the Roman imperial administration, concerning which we possess ample information, no embarrassment is thereby occasioned. The words chiefly in use for "governor" are derived from root ag-, "drive," "lead":(1) hegeomai, "lead" (Mt 2:6; of Joseph as grand vizier of Egypt, Ac 7:10).(2) hegemon, "leader" (Mt 10:18; 1Pe 2:14; of Pilate, Mt 27:2,11,14,15,21,27; of Felix, Ac 23:24,26,33; of Festus, Ac 24:1,10; 26:30).(3) hegemoneuo, "function as leader" (Lu 2:2; of Pilate, Lu 3:1).To these are added terms of more specific meaning:(4) ethnarches, "ethnarch" or "ruler of a nation" (2Co 11:32).See GOVERNMENT, 6, 7.(5) euthuno "direct," "guide" (Jas 3:4). Here the Revised Version (British and American) properly render it "steersman."(6) architriklinos, "president of a banquet" (Joh 2:8 f, the American Standard Revised Version "ruler of the feast ").(7) oikonomos, "steward," "manager of a household or estate" (Ga 4:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "stewards").It is thus seen that in the New Testament "governor" in the political sense occurs chiefly in reference to the Roman procurators of Judea--Pilate, Felix, and Festus. See PILATE; FELIX; FESTUS. It remains for us here to speak briefly of the government of Roman provinces.Latin provincia signifies a magistrate's sphere of duty or authority, either(a) judicially or legally, defining the scope of his competence, or(b) geographically, designating the territorial limits within which he may exercise authority.It is in the latter sense that we are now considering the word. When, in the 3rd century BC, Rome began to rule conquered lands outside Italy, each territory was set under the authority of a single magistrate, and hence came to be called a "province." Conquered territories left under the rule of native princes or kings were not so designated, although their government was practically directed by Rome. At first provinces were governed by proconsuls or proprietors (i.e. ex-consuls or ex- praetors); but with the steady multiplication of provinces various expedients became necessary in order to provide governors of suitable rank and dignity. Thus, the number of praetors was largely augmented, and the term of possible service as governor was extended. Under Augustus the provinces were parceled out between the emperor and the senate, the former reserving for himself such as seemed to require the maintenance of a considerable armed force. In these the emperor was himself proconsul. Early in the Empire imperial provinces of a different type appear, in which the emperor, regarded as sovereign proprietor, governs by a viceroy (praefectus) or steward (procurator). In some of these, tributary kings or princes ruled with the emperor's representative--a legatus or a procurator--by their side, much as England now rules Egypt. Among the provinces so ruled were Egypt and Judea, partly, no doubt, because of their strategic position, partly because of the temper of their inhabitants.William Arthur Heidel

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