In biblical times, the role of an executioner was a significant and often feared position, responsible for carrying out capital punishment as decreed by legal or royal authority. The executioner is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, but the concept and practice of execution are evident throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the justice systems of ancient societies.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law, given to the Israelites, included various capital offenses, and execution was a means of maintaining justice and holiness within the community. While the specific term "executioner" is not commonly used, the function is implied in several passages. For instance, in the Mosaic Law, certain crimes such as murder, adultery, and idolatry warranted the death penalty (Exodus 21:12-17; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 13:6-10).

The method of execution varied, including stoning, burning, and the sword. Stoning was a communal act, as seen in the case of Achan, who was stoned for his disobedience (Joshua 7:25). The sword was also used, as in the execution of the Amalekite who claimed to have killed King Saul (2 Samuel 1:15).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the role of the executioner becomes more explicit, particularly under Roman rule. The Roman system of justice included executioners who carried out sentences such as crucifixion, beheading, and other forms of capital punishment. The most notable execution in the New Testament is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, carried out by Roman soldiers under the authority of Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:27-37; Mark 15:16-24; Luke 23:33-34; John 19:16-18).

John the Baptist's beheading is another instance where an executioner is directly mentioned. Herod Antipas, influenced by Herodias and her daughter, ordered John's execution, and an executioner was sent to behead him in prison (Mark 6:27: "So without delay, the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went, beheaded him in the prison").

Symbolic and Theological Implications

Executioners in the Bible symbolize the authority of human justice systems, which are often flawed and subject to the whims of those in power. The execution of Jesus, in particular, highlights the miscarriage of justice and the fulfillment of divine prophecy. Jesus' death, though carried out by human hands, was part of God's redemptive plan for humanity (Acts 2:23: "He was handed over by God's set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross").

Theologically, the concept of execution underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement. While human executioners carried out temporal justice, the ultimate execution of justice belongs to God, who judges righteously and offers mercy through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection.

Conclusion

The role of the executioner in biblical times was a necessary part of maintaining order and justice within society. While often feared, executioners were instruments of the prevailing legal systems, reflecting both the justice and the imperfections of human governance. Through the lens of Scripture, the acts of execution point to the greater narrative of divine justice and redemption.Executioner

The post of executioner was one of high dignity. Potiphar was "captain of the executioners." (Genesis 37:36) see margin. That the "captain of the guard" himself occasionally performed the duty of an executioner appears from (1 Kings 2:25,34)

(Mark 6:27). Instead of the Greek word, Mark here uses a Latin word, speculator, which literally means "a scout," "a spy," and at length came to denote one of the armed bodyguard of the emperor. Herod Antipas, in imitation of the emperor, had in attendance on him a company of speculatores. They were sometimes employed as executioners, but this was a mere accident of their office. (See Mark, GOSPEL OF.) 1. (n.) One who executes; an executer.

2. (n.) One who puts to death in conformity to legal warrant, as a hangman.

EXECUTE; EXECUTIONER

ek'-se-kut, ek-se-ku'-shun-er (`asah, "to do," din,"to judge," "decide"; poieo, "to do"; spekoulator, Latin speculator, "an attendant"):

"Execute" in the sense of "executing judgment," "vengeance," etc., is often found in the Old Testament (Exodus 12:12 Deuteronomy 10:18 Psalm 149:7 Jeremiah 22:3 Ezekiel 25:11 Micah 5:15; compare Jeremiah 21:12, "Execute justice in the morning") and a few times in the New Testament (John 5:27 Romans 13:4 the King James Version; Jude 1:15). In the sense of punishing capitally, by legal process, it is not found. "Executioner" is found only in Mark 6:27 the King James Version, where Herod, the king, is said to have "sent an executioner" (spekoulator) to behead John the Baptist, but the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version have instead, according to the stricter meaning of the text, "The king sent forth a soldier of his guard." The office of executioner, however, was a recognized office in all the great nations of antiquity.

George B. Eager

4688. spekoulator -- a scout, by ext. an executioner
... an executioner. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: spekoulator Phonetic
Spelling: (spek-oo-lat'-ore) Short Definition: a body-guardsman, an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4688.htm - 6k

4465. rhabdouchos -- a rod holder, ie (a Roman) lictor (one ...
... officer, sergeant. From rhabdos and echo; a rod- (the Latin fasces) holder, ie A
Roman lictor (constable or executioner) -- serjeant. see GREEK rhabdos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4465.htm - 7k

2876. tabbach -- cook, guardsman
... From tabach; properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting
as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food ...
/hebrew/2876.htm - 6k

3774. Kerethi -- the foreign bodyguard of King David
... Probably from karath in the sense of executioner; a Kerethite or life-guardsman
(compare tabbach) (only collectively in the singular as plural) -- Cherethims ...
/hebrew/3774.htm - 6k

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
... of the bride in white, and the bridegroom in his most gallant apparel, but as he
went along, he heard a sound of a file from the executioner's room, who was ...
/.../liii the contemplation of death.htm

The Doomed Three
... Then, with a colossal Goth by his side, who leaned on a huge sword, and whom Thorismund
knew to be the executioner, the chieftain ordered Aurelian to be ...
/.../chapter xxxi the doomed three.htm

The Crucifixion.
... The second executioner cried, "Take care, or he will be down.". ... The third
executioner said to him roughly, "It is no use thy fainting. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter ix the crucifixion.htm

This Treatise Has a Favourable Beginning, Since it is the Birthday ...
... 9. What threats the executioner used to make her fear him, what allurements to persuade
her, how many desired that she would come to them in marriage! ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ii this treatise has.htm

In Reply to Marcellina, who had Asked what Should be Thought of ...
... I fear not that a sword will be wanting. I can die by my own weapons, I can die
without the help of an executioner, in my mother's bosom.". 34. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii in reply to.htm

Letter i. To Innocent.
... which after once tasting blood always thirsts for it, ordered the torture to be
doubled, and cruelly gnashing his teeth, threatened the executioner with like ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter i to innocent.htm

The Life of Mr. James Mitchel.
... prison. Upon the 24th, they assembled in their robes in the inner parliament
house, and the boots and executioner were presented. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 5.htm

The Red Shoes
... Here she knew the executioner dwelt; and she tapped with her fingers on the panes,
and called: "Come out, come out! ... And the executioner said: ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the red shoes.htm

From the Saying of Our Lord we Know that the Flesh is Weak...
... and the lofty cross, and the rage of the wild beasts, and that punishment of the
flames, of all most terrible, and all the skill of the executioner in torture. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad martyras/chapter iv from the saying.htm

When, Therefore, it is Said that the Tradition against Female ...
... mob an opportunity of throwing roses as well as rotten eggs; of crying "Hosannah"
as well as "Crucify." But I do not like the public executioner being turned ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 24 when therefore it.htm

Executioner (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) One who puts to death in conformity to legal warrant, as a hangman.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EXECUTE; EXECUTIONER. ...
/e/executioner.htm - 9k

Execute (83 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To do one's work; to act one's part of purpose. 8. (vi) To perform musically.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EXECUTE; EXECUTIONER. ...
/e/execute.htm - 34k

Guard (185 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews tabbah (properly a "cook, " and in a secondary
sense "executioner, " because this office fell to the lot of the cook in ...
/g/guard.htm - 55k

Execution (4 Occurrences)

/e/execution.htm - 8k

Executioners (32 Occurrences)

/e/executioners.htm - 16k

Tormentor (1 Occurrence)
... tor-men'-ter: the King James Version 2 Maccabees 7:29 for demios "belonging to the
people," and so "public executioner," the Revised Version (British and ...
/t/tormentor.htm - 7k

Murder (41 Occurrences)
... The executioner, according to the terms of the Law, was the "revenger of blood";
but the guilt must be previously determined by the Levitical tribunal. ...
/m/murder.htm - 24k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... Mark also uses certain Latin words not found in any of the other Gospels, as
"speculator" (6:27, rendered, AV, "executioner;" RV, "soldier of his guard ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

Machaerus
... During the revelry of the banquet held in the border fortress, to please Salome,
who danced before him, he sent an executioner, who beheaded John, and "brought ...
/m/machaerus.htm - 9k

Conscience (36 Occurrences)
... In the individual's own breast are not only the figures of justice already mentioned,
but the executioner as well; for, on the back of a sentence of ...
/c/conscience.htm - 37k

Is “I will deliver” or “Will I deliver” the correct translation of Hosea 13:14? | GotQuestions.org

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Executioner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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