Chancellor
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical and ancient Near Eastern governance, the term "chancellor" is not directly used in the Berean Standard Bible . However, the role can be understood through various administrative and governmental positions mentioned in the Scriptures. The concept of a chancellor, as understood in modern terms, typically refers to a high-ranking official or officer of state, often responsible for legal and administrative duties.

Biblical Context and References:

1. Persian Administration:
The closest biblical reference to a role akin to a chancellor can be found in the book of Ezra, which describes the administrative structure of the Persian Empire. In Ezra 4:8-9 , Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe are mentioned as officials who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. While the term "chancellor" is not used, these officials held significant administrative authority, similar to what might be expected of a chancellor.

Ezra 4:8-9 : "Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows: From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech, and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa."

2. Joseph in Egypt:
Another figure who embodies the responsibilities akin to a chancellor is Joseph, who was appointed by Pharaoh to oversee the land of Egypt. Joseph's role involved significant administrative duties, including managing resources and implementing policies during the years of famine.

Genesis 41:40-41 : "You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you. Pharaoh also told Joseph, 'I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.'"

3. Daniel in Babylon:
Daniel, during his time in Babylon, was appointed to high positions of authority, serving under multiple kings. His role involved interpreting dreams and providing counsel, which aligns with the advisory and administrative functions of a chancellor.

Daniel 6:2 : "And over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss."

Role and Responsibilities:

In the biblical context, a chancellor-like figure would have been responsible for various administrative tasks, including:

· Overseeing governmental operations and ensuring the implementation of royal decrees.
· Managing resources and finances, as seen in Joseph's management of Egypt's grain during the famine.
· Serving as an advisor to the king or ruling authority, providing counsel on matters of state.
· Acting as an intermediary between the king and the people, often communicating royal edicts and decisions.

Historical and Cultural Insights:

The role of a chancellor in ancient times was crucial for maintaining the stability and efficiency of a kingdom or empire. These officials were often chosen for their wisdom, loyalty, and ability to manage complex administrative tasks. The biblical narratives highlight the importance of such roles in the governance and prosperity of a nation, as seen in the examples of Joseph and Daniel.

While the specific title of "chancellor" is not used in the Bible, the functions and responsibilities associated with this role are evident in the lives of key biblical figures who served in high administrative capacities. These individuals were instrumental in executing the will of the ruling authorities and ensuring the smooth operation of the government.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
One who has judicial authority, literally, a "lord of judgement;" a title given to the Persian governor of Samaria (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) A judicial court of chancery, which in England and in the United States is distinctively a court with equity jurisdiction.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHANCELLOR

chan'-sel-er: The rendering in Ezra 4:8, 9, 17 of the Hebrew be`el Te`em; Septuagint Baal (4:9), Balgam (4:17), the latter being an incorrect translation of Hebrew `ayin. In 1 Esdras 2:16, 25, Beeltethmos (compare Ezra 4:8) occurs as a corruption, doubtless of be`el Te`em. The term in question designates an Assyrian office, namely, that of the "master or lord of official intelligence," or "postmaster" (Sayce).

Strong's Hebrew
1169. beel -- owner, lord
... commander* (3). chancellor. (Aramaic) corresponding to ba'al -- + chancellor. see
HEBREW ba'al. 1168b, 1169. beel. 1170 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1169.htm - 6k

2942. teem -- taste, judgment, command
... chancellor, command, commandment, decree, regard, taste, wisdom. ... And obj.) -- +
chancellor, + command, commandment, decree, + regard, taste, wisdom. ...
/hebrew/2942.htm - 6k

Library

To the Right Hon. Henry Pelham, First Lord Commissioner of the ...
... TO THE RIGHT HON. HENRY PELHAM, FIRST LORD COMMISSIONER OF THE TREASURY,
AND CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER. PREFACE. Few ages have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/to the right hon henry.htm

Ode on the Installation of the Duke of Devonshire, Chancellor of ...
... ODE ON THE INSTALLATION OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, CHANCELLOR OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, 1862 {303}. Hence a while, severer ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/ode on the installation of.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (iii. ).
... Not long ago I listened, in the library of Ridley Hall, to an instructive lecture,
by a diocesan Chancellor, on the law of Curates; one of a series on Church ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter vi the daily walk.htm

The Life of Mr. John Blackadder.
... following, and brought first to general Dalziel, then to the guard, and then before
a committee of council, consisting of the chancellor, general, advocate ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 12.htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... Apollo.'". But however extravagant Chancellor Fanchon's praises of his
native city may seem, they are really not exaggerated. The ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

When, Therefore, it is Said that the Tradition against Female ...
... No candid person will wholly dismiss the proposition that the idea of having a Lord
Chancellor but not a Lady Chancellor may at least be connected with the ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 24 when therefore it.htm

The Life of Robert Ker of Kersland, Esq.
... cast off the mask, at least his treachery and apostacy was not then discovered,
got notice of it"He soon gave information to the Chancellor, and orders were ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of robert ker.htm

The Life of Mr. Andrew Melvil.
... perverted. When he had closed his defence, the king and the earl of Arran,
who was then chancellor, raged exceedingly against him. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr andrew.htm

The Lambeth Articles, AD 1595.
... [1274] For this opinion, which he more fully explained in a sermon, he was cited
before Dr. Goade, the Vice-Chancellor of the University; and although the ...
/.../ 84 the lambeth articles.htm

The Writing of an Ancient Book
... But after they had put the roll in the room of Elishama, the chancellor, they
went to Jehoiakim's room, and told all these things to him. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the writing of an ancient.htm

Thesaurus
Chancellor (3 Occurrences)
... jurisdiction. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHANCELLOR. chan ... Sayce).
Multi-Version Concordance Chancellor (3 Occurrences). Ezra ...
/c/chancellor.htm - 8k

Rehum (8 Occurrences)
... (1.) One of "the children of the province" who returned from the Captivity (Ezra
2:2); the same as "Nehum" (Nehemiah 7:7). (2.) The "chancellor" of Artaxerxes ...
/r/rehum.htm - 10k

Shimshai (4 Occurrences)
... The shining one, or sunny, the secretary of Rehum the chancellor, who took part
in opposing the rebuilding of the temple after the Captivity (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17-23 ...
/s/shimshai.htm - 9k

Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against
Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (See NIV). ...
/s/secretary.htm - 18k

Scribe (55 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem
to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT ...
/s/scribe.htm - 27k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... Soter. After the defeat of Seron by Judas, Epiphanes entrusted his chancellor
Lysias with the reduction of Judea (1 Maccabees 3:34;). ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Colleagues (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/c/colleagues.htm - 8k

Associates (26 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/a/associates.htm - 14k

Companions (58 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/c/companions.htm - 23k

Officer (70 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a
letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (See NIV). ...
/o/officer.htm - 30k

Resources
Who was John Owen? | GotQuestions.org

Chancellor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Chancellor (3 Occurrences)

Ezra 4:8
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Ezra 4:9
then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Ezra 4:17
Then sent the king an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace, and so forth.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Chancellor

Chancellor: A State officer

Related Terms

Rehum (8 Occurrences)

Shimshai (4 Occurrences)

Secretary (34 Occurrences)

Scribe (55 Occurrences)

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)

Colleagues (8 Occurrences)

Associates (26 Occurrences)

Companions (58 Occurrences)

Officer (70 Occurrences)

Chances (6 Occurrences)

Commander (111 Occurrences)

Wrote (74 Occurrences)

Onias

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)

Lesser (7 Occurrences)

Lord (59401 Occurrences)

Tarpelites (1 Occurrence)

Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences)

Rathumus

Recorder (10 Occurrences)

Elsewhere (14 Occurrences)

Dinaites (1 Occurrence)

Dehites (1 Occurrence)

Dehaites (1 Occurrence)

Dehavites (1 Occurrence)

Dinites (1 Occurrence)

Dianites (1 Occurrence)

Menelaus

Provinces (40 Occurrences)

Babylonians (48 Occurrences)

Beeltethmus

Chanced (3 Occurrences)

Apharesattechites (1 Occurrence)

Ar-ta-xerx'es (14 Occurrences)

Apharsites (1 Occurrence)

Archevites (1 Occurrence)

Apharsathchites (1 Occurrence)

Apharesites (1 Occurrence)

Shushanchites (1 Occurrence)

Susa (20 Occurrences)

Secretaries (5 Occurrences)

Governors (43 Occurrences)

Artaxerxes (14 Occurrences)

Persia (30 Occurrences)

Greetings (48 Occurrences)

Erech (2 Occurrences)

Greeting (19 Occurrences)

Follows (65 Occurrences)

Persians (6 Occurrences)

Province (66 Occurrences)

Syriac (2 Occurrences)

Letter (112 Occurrences)

Elamites (2 Occurrences)

Samaria (123 Occurrences)

Judges (117 Occurrences)

Versions

Babylon (270 Occurrences)

Chanced
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