In biblical times, magistrates were officials who held positions of authority and were responsible for administering justice and maintaining order within society. The role and function of magistrates can be seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the importance of governance and the rule of law in biblical history.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of magistrates is closely tied to the judicial and administrative systems established by God for the nation of Israel. Moses, under God's direction, appointed judges and officials to help govern the people. In Exodus 18:21-22 , Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, advises him: "But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times."

These appointed leaders were responsible for settling disputes and ensuring that justice was carried out according to God's laws. Deuteronomy 16:18 further instructs, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "magistrates" often refers to Roman officials who held judicial and administrative authority in the provinces of the Roman Empire. The Apostle Paul encountered such magistrates during his missionary journeys. In Acts 16:20-22 , Paul and Silas are brought before the magistrates in Philippi: "They brought them to the magistrates and said, 'These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.' The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods."

The role of magistrates in the Roman context was to maintain public order and enforce the laws of the empire. They wielded significant power, including the authority to punish and imprison individuals, as seen in the case of Paul and Silas.

Biblical Principles and Responsibilities

The Bible emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness in the role of magistrates. Proverbs 29:4 states, "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down." Magistrates were expected to be impartial, fair, and guided by the principles of God's law. In 2 Chronicles 19:6-7 , Jehoshaphat instructs the judges, "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery."

Christian Perspective on Authority

From a Christian perspective, the role of magistrates is seen as part of God's ordained structure for society. Romans 13:1-2 teaches, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

Christians are called to respect and pray for those in authority, recognizing their role in maintaining order and justice. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges believers, "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity."

In summary, magistrates in the biblical context were key figures in the administration of justice and governance, both in ancient Israel and the broader Roman world. Their role was to uphold justice, maintain order, and execute the laws of the land, reflecting the divine order established by God for human society.5511. chlamus -- a chlamys or short cloak
... 5511 -- "a short cloak worn by soldiers, military officers, magistrates, kings,
emperors, etc" (J. Thayer) -- the Latin , the garment of "dignity" (office ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5511.htm - 7k

3980. peitharcheo -- to obey authority
... of peitho and archo; to be persuaded by a ruler, ie (genitive case) to submit to
authority; by analogy, to conform to advice -- hearken, obey (magistrates). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3980.htm - 7k

746. arche -- beginning, origin
... Short Definition: ruler, beginning Definition: (a) rule (kingly or magisterial),
(b) plur: in a quasi-personal sense, almost: rulers, magistrates, (c) beginning ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/746.htm - 7k

4755. strategos -- a general, governor
... Word Origin from the same as strateuo and from ago Definition a general, governor
NASB Word Usage captain (3), chief magistrates (5), officers (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4755.htm - 7k

8614. tiphtaye -- (title of an official) perhaps magistrates
... tiphtaye. 8615 . (title of an official) perhaps magistrates. Transliteration:
tiphtaye Phonetic Spelling: (tif-tah'-ee) Short Definition: magistrates. ...
/hebrew/8614.htm - 6k

8200. shephat -- to judge
... 8199, 8200. shephat. 8201 . to judge. Transliteration: shephat Phonetic
Spelling: (shef-at') Short Definition: magistrates. Word ...
/hebrew/8200.htm - 6k

430. elohim -- God, god
... specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme
God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes ...
/hebrew/430.htm - 6k

'A Mirror for Magistrates'
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES 'A MIRROR FOR MAGISTRATES'. 'And Jehoshaphat
the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a mirror for magistrates.htm

The Sleepy Magistrates' Proclamation
... 5. Wesley Refused Sacraments at Epworth; Cornwall and the Scilly Isles; Natural
Amphitheater at Gwennap; Wesley in Danger The Sleepy Magistrates' Proclamation. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the sleepy magistrates proclamation.htm

Honour to Magistrates; Or, Government from God.
... first and third lines of the stanza. Hymn 2:149. Honour to Magistrates; or,
Government from God. 1 Eternal Sovereign of the sky, And ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 186805556 honour to magistrates.htm

Psalm 58 Warning to Magistrates.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 58 Warning to magistrates. 8,8,8,8,8,8 Warning
to magistrates. Judges, who rule the world by laws,. Will ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 58 warning to magistrates.htm

Letter ccxxx. To the Magistrates of Nicopolis.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CCXXX. To the
magistrates of Nicopolis. The government of the Churches ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxx to the magistrates.htm

Letter ccxxviii. To the Magistrates of Colonia.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CCXXVIII. To the
magistrates of Colonia. I have received your lordships ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxviii to the magistrates.htm

Psalm 82. God the Supreme Governor; Or, Magistrates Warned.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 82. God the supreme Governor; or,
Magistrates warned. 1 Among th' assemblies of the great, A ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 82 god the supreme.htm

Honor to Magistrates; Or, Government from God.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 149 Honor to magistrates; or, Government from God. CM Honor
to magistrates; or, Government from God. Eternal Sovereign of the sky,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 149 honor to magistrates.htm

Psalm 82 God the Supreme Governor; Or, Magistrates Warned.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 82 God the supreme Governor; or, Magistrates warned.
LM God the supreme Governor; or, Magistrates warned. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 82 god the supreme.htm

This HomilyIs Intended to Shew that the Fear of Magistrates is ...
... This Homily is intended to shew that the fear of Magistrates is beneficial.? This
Homily is intended to shew that the fear of Magistrates is beneficial. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily vi this homily is.htm

Magistrates (18 Occurrences)
...Magistrates (18 Occurrences). ... Luke 22:4 and he, having gone away, spake with the
chief priests and the magistrates, how he might deliver him up to them, (YLT). ...
/m/magistrates.htm - 12k

Magistrate (9 Occurrences)
... A public civil officer invested with authority. The Hebrew shophetim, or judges,
were magistrates having authority in the land (Deuteronomy 1:16, 17). ...
/m/magistrate.htm - 15k

Philippi (8 Occurrences)
... that all prospect of further gain was gone, and they therefore seized Paul and Silas
and dragged them into the forum before the magistrates, probably the ...
/p/philippi.htm - 36k

Sergeants (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Acts 16:35, 38 (RV, "lictors"), officers who attended
the magistrates and assisted them in the execution of justice. ...
/s/sergeants.htm - 7k

Serjeants (2 Occurrences)
... of rods," corresponding to Roman "lictors," thus the Revised Version margin) is
used of the officers in attendance on the Philippian magistrates, whose duty it ...
/s/serjeants.htm - 7k

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... whom the evangelists were lodging, and when these were not found Jason himself and
some of the other converts were dragged before the magistrates and accused ...
/t/thessalonica.htm - 25k

Silas (22 Occurrences)
... On being charged before the magistrates with causing a breach of the peace and
preaching false doctrine, their garments were rent off them and they were ...
/s/silas.htm - 21k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION 1. Original Roman State 2. The Struggle
between Patricians and Plebeians 3. The Senate and Magistrates 4. Underlying ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... But he was compelled to appoint a body of magistrates-heads of families-to act
in conjunction with himself, and under his judicial oversight. ...
/j/judicial.htm - 25k

Jailer (8 Occurrences)
... household. (See NIV). Acts 16:35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent
the sergeants, saying, "Let those men go." (See NIV). Acts ...
/j/jailer.htm - 9k

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