Governor
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Bible Concordance
Governor (78 Occurrences)

Matthew 2:6 'You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come forth a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.'" (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Matthew 27:2 and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 27:11 Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said to him, "So you say." (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 27:14 He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 27:15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 27:21 But the governor answered them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 27:23 But the governor said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, saying, "Let him be crucified!" (WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Matthew 27:27 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 28:14 If this comes to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry." (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 2:2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 19:19 "So he said to this one also, "'And you, be the governor of five towns.' (WEY)

Luke 20:20 They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 2:8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. (KJV WBS)

John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (KJV WBS)

John 18:28 They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn't enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. (See NIV)

Acts 7:10 and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Acts 23:24 He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 23:26 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 23:33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 23:34 When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, (WEB KJV WBS YLT NIV)

Acts 24:1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 24:2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation, (See NAS)

Acts 24:10 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, "Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 25:1 Festus, having entered on his duties as governor of the province, two days later went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. (WEY)

Acts 26:30 The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 28:7 Now in the same part of the island there were estates belonging to the Governor, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us to his house, and for three days generously made us his guests. (WEY)

2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes desiring to arrest me. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS RSV NIV)

James 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. (KJV WBS)

Genesis 42:6 Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph's brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Genesis 45:8 And now it was not you that sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and governor over all the land of Egypt. (DBY)

Genesis 45:26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not. (KJV DBY WBS)

Judges 9:30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. (See NIV)

1 Kings 4:19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer who was in the land. (See NIV)

1 Kings 18:3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: (KJV WBS)

1 Kings 22:26 The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

2 Kings 10:5 He who was over the household, and he who was over the city, the elders also, and those who raised the children, sent to Jehu, saying, "We are your servants, and will do all that you ask us. We will not make any man king. You do that which is good in your eyes." (See NIV)

2 Kings 23:8 He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 25:22 As for the people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor. (WEB JPS ASV RSV)

2 Kings 25:23 Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 29:22 And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. (KJV WBS)

2 Chronicles 1:2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers. (KJV WBS)

2 Chronicles 18:25 The king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 19:11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and Yahweh be with the good. (See RSV)

2 Chronicles 28:7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king. (KJV DBY WBS)

2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of Yahweh his God. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Ezra 2:63 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim. (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 5:14 The gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 6:6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 6:7 Leave the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 6:13 Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 3:7 Next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, that appertained to the throne of the governor beyond the River. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 5:18 Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I didn't demand the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy on this people. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 7:2 that I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. (WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Nehemiah 7:65 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim. (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 7:70 Some from among the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred thirty priests' garments. (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 8:9 Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, This day is holy to Yahweh your God; don't mourn, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 10:1 Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah, (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 12:26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest the scribe. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations. (KJV WBS)

Isaiah 60:17 In place of brass, I will give gold, and for iron silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: and I will make Peace your judge, and Righteousness your overseer. (See NIV)

Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things. (KJV WBS)

Jeremiah 30:21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD. (KJV WBS)

Jeremiah 40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, Go back then, said he, to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wherever it seems right to you to go. So the captain of the guard gave him food and a present, and let him go. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Jeremiah 40:7 Now when all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of those who were not carried away captive to Babylon; (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 40:11 Likewise when all the Jews who were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and who were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan; (See RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him, and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 41:18 because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor over the land. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV NIV)

Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Haggai 1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Haggai 1:14 Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of Yahweh of Armies, their God, (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Haggai 2:2 "Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying, (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Haggai 2:21 "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying,'I will shake the heavens and the earth. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zechariah 9:7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. (KJV WBS)

Malachi 1:8 When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn't that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn't that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?" says Yahweh of Armies. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Thesaurus
Governor (78 Occurrences)
... (8.) Pehah, whence pasha, ie, friend of the king; adjutant; governor of a province
(2 Kings 18:24; Isaiah 36:9; Jeremiah 51: 57; Ezek. 23:6, 23; Dan. ...GOVERNOR. ...
/g/governor.htm - 48k

Governor's (6 Occurrences)
...Governor's (6 Occurrences). ... Matthew 27:27 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus
into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. ...
/g/governor's.htm - 8k

Johanan (31 Occurrences)
... (3.) Son of Careah, one of the Jewish chiefs who rallied round Gedaliah, whom
Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:23; Jeremiah 40:8). He ...
/j/johanan.htm - 21k

Tattenai (4 Occurrences)
... tat'-e-ni (tattenay, various forms in the Septuagint; the King James Version Tatnai,
tat'ni, tat'na-i'): A Persian governor, who was the successor of Rehum in ...
/t/tattenai.htm - 8k

Tatnai (4 Occurrences)
... Gift, a Persian governor (Hebrews pehah, ie, "satrap;" modern "pasha") "on this
side the river", ie, of the whole tract on the west of the Euphrates. ...
/t/tatnai.htm - 8k

Tirshatha (5 Occurrences)
... denoting a high civil dignity. The Persian governor of Judea is so called
(Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65, 70). Nehemiah is called by ...
/t/tirshatha.htm - 10k

Deputy (7 Occurrences)
... In Esther 8:9; 9:3 (RV, "governor") it denotes a Persian prefect "on this side"
ie, in the region west of the Euphrates. It is the modern word pasha. ...
/d/deputy.htm - 11k

Pashur (12 Occurrences)
... Release. (1.) The son of Immer (probably the same as Amariah, Nehemiah 10:3;
12:2), the head of one of the priestly courses, was "chief governor [Hebrews paqid ...
/p/pashur.htm - 14k

Apollonius
... his narrative of the year 148 BC to give an account of the different persons who
bore this name (1) Son of Thrasaeus (2 Maccabees 3:5) who was governor of Coele ...
/a/apollonius.htm - 8k

Praetorium (8 Occurrences)
... The Greek word (praitorion) thus rendered in Mark 15:16 is rendered "common hall"
(Matthew 27:27, marg., "governor's house"), "judgment hall," (John 18:28, 33 ...
/p/praetorium.htm - 14k

Greek
2232. hegemon -- a leader, governor
... a leader, governor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: hegemon Phonetic
Spelling: (hayg-em-ohn') Short Definition: a governor Definition: a leader ...
/greek/2232.htm - 6k

4232. praitorion -- Praetorium (official residence of a governor) ...
... Praetorium (official residence of a governor), praetorian guard. Part of Speech:
Noun, Neuter Transliteration: praitorion Phonetic Spelling: (prahee-to'-ree-on ...
/greek/4232.htm - 7k

4755. strategos -- a general, governor
... a general, governor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: strategos
Phonetic Spelling: (strat-ay-gos') Short Definition: a general, magistrate ...
/greek/4755.htm - 7k

1481. ethnarches -- an ethnarch, a governor (not king) of a ...
... an ethnarch, a governor (not king) of a province. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: ethnarches Phonetic Spelling: (eth-nar'-khace) Short ...
/greek/1481.htm - 6k

5344. Phelix -- "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea
... "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea. Part ... Word Origin of Latin origin Definition
"fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea NASB Word Usage Felix (9). Felix. ...
/greek/5344.htm - 7k

3078. Lusanias -- "ending sorrow," Lysanias, a governor of Abilene
... "ending sorrow," Lysanias, a governor of Abilene. Part ... Lysanias. From lusis and ania
(trouble); grief-dispelling; Lysanias, a governor of Abilene -- Lysanias. ...
/greek/3078.htm - 6k

2958. Kurenios -- Quirinius, a governor of Syria
... Quirinius, a governor of Syria. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Kurenios Phonetic Spelling: (koo-ray'-nee-os) Short Definition: Quirinius ...
/greek/2958.htm - 6k

4194. Pontios -- Pontius (Pilate), a governor of Judea
... Pontius (Pilate), a governor of Judea. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Pontios Phonetic Spelling: (pon'-tee-os) Short Definition: Pontius ...
/greek/4194.htm - 6k

5068a. tetraarches -- a tetrarch (the governor of a fourth part of ...
... << 5068, 5068a. tetraarches. 5068b >>. a tetrarch (the governor of a fourth part
of a region). Transliteration: tetraarches Short Definition: tetrarch. ...
/greek/5068a.htm - 5k

4201. Porkios -- Porcius (Festus), a governor of Judea
... Porcius (Festus), a governor of Judea. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Porkios Phonetic Spelling: (por'-kee-os) Short Definition: Porcius ...
/greek/4201.htm - 6k

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Governor

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

  1. The chief of a tribe or family.
  2. A ruler in his capacity of lawgiver and dispenser of justice.
  3. A ruler consider especially as having power over the property and persons of his subjects. (Genesis 24:2; Joshua 12:2; Psalms 100:20) The "governors of the people," in (2 Chronicles 23:20) appear to have been the king's body-guard; cf. (2 Kings 11:19)
  4. A prominent personage, whatever his capacity. It is applied to a king as the military and civil chief of his people, (2 Samuel 5:2; 6:21; 1 Chronicles 29:22) to the general of an army, (2 Chronicles 32:21) and to the head of a tribe. (2 Chronicles 19:11) It denotes an officer of high rank in the palace, the lord high chamberlain. (2 Chronicles 28:7) It is applied in (1 Kings 10:15) to the petty chieftains who were tributary to Solomon, (2 Chronicles 9:14) to the military commander of the Syrians, (1 Kings 20:24) the Assyrians, (2 Kings 18:24; 23:8) the Chaldeans, (Jeremiah 51:23) and the Medes. (Jeremiah 51:38) Under the Persian viceroys, during the Babylonian captivity, the land of the Hebrews appears to have been portioned out among "governors" (pachoth) inferior in rank to the satraps, (Ezra 8:30) like the other provinces which were under the dominion of the Persian king. (Nehemiah 2:7,9) It is impossible to determine the precise limits of their authority or the functions which they had to perform. It appears from (Ezra 6:8) that these governors were intrusted with the collection of the king's taxes; and from (Nehemiah 5:18; 12:26) that they were supported by a contribution levied upon the people, which was technically termed "the bread of the governor" comp. (Ezra 4:14) They were probably assisted in discharging their official duties by A council. (Ezra 4:7; 6:6) The "governor" beyond the river had a judgment-seat beyond Jerusalem, from which probably he administered justice when making a progress through his province. (Nehemiah 3:7) At the time of Christ Judea was a Roman province, governed by a procurator (governor) appointed by Rome.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GOVERNOR

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 (Zechariah 9:7; Zechariah 12:5 f).

(2) choqeq (Judges 5:9; Judges 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 Genesis 49:10 Deuteronomy 33:21 Isaiah 33:22.

(3) moshel, participle of mashal, "to be master," "to rule" (Genesis 45:26, the Revised Version (British and American) "ruler").

(4) nasi' (2 Chronicles 1:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "prince").

(5) caghan (Daniel 3:2 Jeremiah 51:23, the Revised Version, margin "or lieutenants"; Jeremiah 51:28, 57 Ezekiel 23:6, 12, 23). The same word is rendered "rulers" or "deputies" (Isaiah 41:25 Ezra 9:2 Nehemiah 2:16; Nehemiah 5:7; Nehemiah 7:5; Nehemiah 12:40).

(6) pechah, is variously used:

(a) of the military governor of a province among the Assyrians (Isaiah 36:9);

(b) among the Chaldees (Ezekiel 23:6, 23 Jeremiah 51:23, 18, 57);

(c) among the Persians (Esther 3:12; Esther 8:9; Esther 9:3);

(d) of the governor-general of the province beyond the River (Euphrates) (Ezra 8:36 Nehemiah 2:7:9);

(e) of Nehemiah as subordinate "governor in the land of Judah" under him (Nehemiah 5:14);

(f) of Zerubbabel as "governor of Judah" (Haggai 1:1, 14; Haggai 2:2, 21); (g) of Solomon's governors (1 Kings 10:15; 1 Kings 20:24 (in Syria)).

(7) paqidh (Jeremiah 20:1, the Revised Version (British and American) "chief officer"). Elsewhere it is rendered "overseer" or "officer" (compare Genesis 41:34 2 Kings 25:19; Nehemiah 11:9, 22).

(8) sar "governor of the city" (1 Kings 22:26). Elsewhere commonly rendered "prince."

(9) shalliT (Genesis 42:6). Elsewhere rendered "ruler" or "captain."

(10) tirshatha' the Revised Version (British and American) "the governor," the King James Version "the Tirshatha" (Ezra 2:63 Nehemiah 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" (Matthew 2:6; of Joseph as grand vizier of Egypt, Acts 7:10).

(2) hegemon, "leader" (Matthew 10:18 1 Peter 2:14; of Pilate, Matthew 27:2, 11, 14, 15, 21, 27; of Felix, Acts 23:24, 26, 33; of Festus, Acts 24:1, 10; Acts 26:30).

(3) hegemoneuo, "function as leader" (Luke 2:2; of Pilate, Luke 3:1).

To these are added terms of more specific meaning:

(4) ethnarches, "ethnarch" or "ruler of a nation" (2 Corinthians 11:32).

See GOVERNMENT, 6, 7.

(5) euthuno "direct," "guide" (James 3:4). Here the Revised Version (British and American) properly render it "steersman."

(6) architriklinos, "president of a banquet" (John 2:8, the American Standard Revised Version "ruler of the feast ").

(7) oikonomos, "steward," "manager of a household or estate" (Galatians 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 B.C., 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

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) Hebrews nagid, a prominent, conspicuous person, whatever his capacity: as, chief of the royal palace (2 Chronicles 28:7; Comp. 1 Kings 4:6), chief of the temple (1 Chronicles 9:11; Jeremiah 20:1), the leader of the Aaronites (1 Chronicles 12:27), keeper of the sacred treasury (26:24), captain of the army (13:1), the king (1 Samuel 9:16), the Messiah (Dan. 9:25).

(2.) Hebrews nasi, raised; exalted. Used to denote the chiefs of families (Numbers 3:24, 30, 32, 35); also of tribes (2:3; 7:2; 3:32). These dignities appear to have been elective, not hereditary.

(3.) Hebrews pakid, an officer or magistrate. It is used of the delegate of the high priest (2 Chronicles 24:11), the Levites (Nehemiah 11:22), a military commander (2 Kings 25:19), Joseph's officers in Egypt (Genesis 41:34).

(4.) Hebrews shallit, one who has power, who rules (Genesis 42:6; Ezra 4:20; Ecclesiastes 8:8; Dan. 2:15; 5:29).

(5.) Hebrews aluph, literally one put over a thousand, i.e., a clan or a subdivision of a tribe. Used of the "dukes" of Edom (Genesis 36), and of the Jewish chiefs (Zechariah 9:7).

(6.) Hebrews moshel, one who rules, holds dominion. Used of many classes of rulers (Genesis 3:16; 24:2; 45:8; Psalm 105:20); of the Messiah (Micah 5:2); of God (1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalm 103:19).

(7.) Hebrews sar, a ruler or chief; a word of very general use. It is used of the chief baker of Pharaoh (Genesis 40:16); of the chief butler (40:2, etc. See also Genesis 47:6; Exodus 1:11; Dan. 1:7; Judges 10:18; 1 Kings 22:26; 20:15; 2 Kings 1:9; 2 Samuel 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; Isaiah 36:9; Jeremiah 51: 57; Ezek. 23:6, 23; Dan. 3:2; Esther 3:12), or a perfect (Nehemiah 3:7; 5:14; Ezra 5:3; Haggai 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 (Jeremiah 51:23, 28, 57); also of chiefs and rulers of the people of Jerusalem (Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 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 Corinthians 11:32), which was an office distinct from military command, with considerable latitude of application.

(2.) The procurator of Judea under the Romans (Matthew 27:2). (Comp. Luke 2:2, where the verb from which the Greek word so rendered is derived is used.)

(3.) Steward (Galatians 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).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) One who governs; especially, one who is invested with the supreme executive authority in a State; a chief ruler or magistrate; as, the governor of Pennsylvania.

2. (n.) One who has the care or guardianship of a young man; a tutor; a guardian.

3. (n.) A pilot; a steersman.

4. (n.) A contrivance applied to steam engines, water wheels, and other machinery, to maintain nearly uniform speed when the resistances and motive force are variable.

Strong's Hebrew
6347. pechah -- a governor
... << 6346, 6347. pechah. 6348 >>. a governor. Transliteration: pechah Phonetic
Spelling: (peh-khaw') Short Definition: governor. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6347.htm - 6k

6346. pechah -- a governor
... << 6345, 6346. pechah. 6347 >>. a governor. Transliteration: pechah Phonetic
Spelling: (peh-khaw') Short Definition: governors. Word ...
/hebrew/6346.htm - 6k

8660. tirshatha -- (a Pers. title) governor
... title) governor. Transliteration: tirshatha Phonetic Spelling: (teer-shaw-thaw')
Short Definition: governor. ... title) governor NASB Word Usage governor (5). ...
/hebrew/8660.htm - 6k

7984. shilton -- governor
... << 7983, 7984. shilton or shilton. 7985 >>. governor. Transliteration: shilton or
shilton Phonetic Spelling: (shil-tone') Short Definition: rulers. ...
/hebrew/7984.htm - 6k

8269. sar -- chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
... NASB Word Usage captain (22), captains (39), charge (1), chief (24), chief and
commanders (1), chiefs (1), commander (40), commanders (49), governor (3), heads ...
/hebrew/8269.htm - 6k

5387. nasiy' -- one lifted up, a chief, prince
... Spelling: (naw-see') Short Definition: captain. captain, chief, cloud, governor,
prince, ruler, vapor Or nasi' {naw-see'}; from nasa ...
/hebrew/5387.htm - 5k

6496. paqid -- commissioner, deputy, overseer
... overseers (3). which had the charge, governor, office, overseer, that was set.
From paqad; a superintendent (civil, military or religious ...
/hebrew/6496.htm - 6k

7989. shallit -- having mastery, domineering
... governor, mighty, that hath power, ruler. From shalat; potent; concretely, a prince
or warrior -- governor, mighty, that hath power, ruler. see HEBREW shalat. ...
/hebrew/7989.htm - 6k

5460. segan -- a prefect
... prefects (4). governor. (Aramaic) corresponding to cagan -- governor. see HEBREW
cagan. << 5459, 5460. segan. 5461 >>. Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5460.htm - 6k

2710. chaqaq -- to cut in, inscribe, decree
... appoint, decree, governor, grave, lawgiver, note, portray, print,. A primitive
root; properly, to hack, ie Engrave (Judges 5:14, to ...
/hebrew/2710.htm - 6k

Subtopics

Governor

Related Terms

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Paphos (2 Occurrences)

Captain (167 Occurrences)

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Judgment (430 Occurrences)

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Yes (511 Occurrences)

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Kareah (14 Occurrences)

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Ituraea (1 Occurrence)

Festus (14 Occurrences)

Thirtieth (9 Occurrences)

Tetrarch (5 Occurrences)

Tertullus (2 Occurrences)

Release (61 Occurrences)

Rezeph (2 Occurrences)

Rebuild (36 Occurrences)

Elect (32 Occurrences)

Ekron (20 Occurrences)

Ekronite (1 Occurrence)

Exceedingly (167 Occurrences)

Mizpeh (24 Occurrences)

Governments
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