In biblical contexts, the term "marshal" is not frequently encountered, but it holds significance in understanding the organization and leadership within ancient Israelite society. The role of a marshal can be associated with military and ceremonial functions, often linked to the organization and command of troops or the arrangement of processions.

Biblical References and Context

The term "marshal" is not directly used in most English translations of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible . However, the concept can be inferred from various passages that describe military and organizational roles. In ancient Israel, the organization of the army and the leadership of troops were crucial for both defense and conquest, as seen in the narratives of the conquest of Canaan and the various battles described in the historical books.

In Judges 5:14, the Song of Deborah and Barak mentions leaders and commanders, which can be understood as roles akin to marshals: "From Ephraim their roots marched down into the valley, following you, Benjamin, with your people. From Makir captains came down, from Zebulun those who bear the marshal’s staff." Here, the "marshal’s staff" symbolizes authority and leadership in military contexts.

Role and Function

The marshal's role would have been to ensure the orderly arrangement and movement of troops, maintaining discipline and readiness for battle. This position required a combination of leadership skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and command respect among the soldiers. The marshal would have been responsible for implementing the strategies devised by higher-ranking leaders, such as kings or generals, and ensuring that the troops were well-prepared and equipped for combat.

In addition to military duties, marshals may have had ceremonial responsibilities, organizing and leading processions during significant religious or national events. This dual role highlights the integration of religious and military life in ancient Israel, where leaders often served both as military commanders and as figures of religious authority.

Symbolism and Significance

The concept of a marshal carries symbolic weight, representing order, authority, and leadership. In a broader theological sense, the role of a marshal can be seen as a reflection of God's order and sovereignty over creation. Just as a marshal organizes and leads troops, God is depicted as the ultimate leader and commander, guiding His people through the challenges and battles of life.

The imagery of a marshal also underscores the importance of preparedness and vigilance in the spiritual life. Believers are called to be ready for spiritual battles, equipped with the "armor of God" as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. This passage, while not directly mentioning marshals, echoes the themes of readiness and spiritual warfare that a marshal would embody in a physical sense.

Conclusion

While the specific term "marshal" may not be prevalent in biblical texts, the role it represents is integral to understanding the structure and leadership within ancient Israel. Through military and ceremonial functions, marshals played a crucial part in maintaining order and executing the plans of leaders, reflecting broader themes of authority and divine guidance in the biblical narrative.1. (n.) Originally, an officer who had the care of horses; a groom.

2. (n.) An officer of high rank, charged with the arrangement of ceremonies, the conduct of operations, or the like

3. (n.) One who goes before a prince to declare his coming and provide entertainment; a harbinger; a pursuivant.

4. (n.) One who regulates rank and order at a feast or any other assembly, directs the order of procession, and the like.

5. (n.) The chief officer of arms, whose duty it was, in ancient times, to regulate combats in the lists.

6. (n.) The highest military officer.

7. (n.) A ministerial officer, appointed for each judicial district of the United States, to execute the process of the courts of the United States, and perform various duties, similar to those of a sheriff. The name is also sometimes applied to certain police officers of a city.

8. (v. t.) To dispose in order; to arrange in a suitable manner; as, to marshal troops or an army.

9. (v. t.) To direct, guide, or lead.

10. (v. t.) To dispose in due order, as the different quarterings on an escutcheon, or the different crests when several belong to an achievement.

MARSHAL

mar'-shal: Not found in the King James Version, but in the Revised Version (British and American) the word represents two Hebrew words: (1) copher (Judges 5:14), translated "they that handle the marshal's staff." A difficulty arises because the usual meaning of copher is "scribe" or "writer" (so the King James Version). The revisers follow Septuagint and Greek authority which favor "marshal" as against "scribe." The office of marshal was to help the general to maintain discipline (compare 1 Maccabees 5:42). (2) Tiphcar (Jeremiah 51:27), a loan-word whose meaning is clear. Lenormant thinks it akin to a Babylonian-Assyrian word meaning "tablet-writer" (compare Delitzsch). Accordingly, the Revised Version margin renders Nahum 3:17 "thy scribes," though the Syriac has "thy warriors," as does the Targum in Jeremiah. We must await further light on both words.

George B. Eager

2951. tiphsar -- a scribe, marshal
... 2950, 2951. tiphsar. 2952 . a scribe, marshal. Transliteration: tiphsar
Phonetic Spelling: (tif-sar') Short Definition: marshal. ...
/hebrew/2951.htm - 5k

The Record of a Quaker Conscience
... I was to report on the 27th. Then, loyal to our country, Wm. Lindley Dean and I
appeared before the Provost Marshal with a statement of our cases. ...
/.../the record of a quaker.htm

The Controversy Ended
... He will marshal all the armies of the lost under his banner and through them
endeavor to execute his plans. The wicked are Satan's captives. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 42 the controversy ended.htm

The Controversy Ended.
... He will marshal all the armies of the lost under his banner, and through them
endeavor to execute his plans. The wicked are Satan's captives. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /42 the controversy ended.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Henderson.
... their arrival there, they could have no access to preach in any church; whereupon
the three ministers resolved to preach in the earl of Marshal's close and ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander.htm

part i.
... Their philosophies, conspicuously those of the Stoics and Pythagoreans, heroically
sought to marshal the discrete materials of the universe into thinkable form ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/part i.htm

Conversation and Public Speaking
... The ability to think quickly, to marshal facts and arguments, to introduce a vivid
story or illustration, to parry and thrust as is sometimes needed to hold ...
/.../kleiser/talks on talking/conversation and public speaking.htm

The Census of Israel
... not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of
judgment had been fulfilled to them; and, moreover, it would marshal them for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

Deborah's Song
... Out of Machir came down governors". Men. And out of Zebulun they that handle the
marshal's staff. Women. And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah". Men. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv deborahs song.htm

Be Brave
... have lost the battle." "It seems so, sire," was the reply, "but there is still time
to fight another." Encouraged by the words of his marshal, Napoleon rallied ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-six be brave.htm

The Success of the Spirits.
... slaughters. It fitly symbolizes the final gathering of the nations. The
enemies of God will marshal for the final conflict. The ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the success of the spirits.htm

Marshal (2 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To dispose in order; to arrange in a suitable manner; as, to marshal troops
or an army. 9. (vt) To direct, guide, or lead. 10. ...MARSHAL. ...
/m/marshal.htm - 9k

Marshal's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Marshal's (1 Occurrence). ... Governors come down out of Machir.
Those who handle the marshal's staff came out of Zebulun. ...
/m/marshal's.htm - 6k

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)
... song the words, "Out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer" (Judges
5:14) has been rendered in the RV, "They that handle the marshal's staff." This ...
/z/zebulun.htm - 29k

Captain (167 Occurrences)
... In the Revised Version (British and American) some of these are rendered by other
English words, and so we find for "captain": "marshal" (Jeremiah 27 Nahum 3:17 ...
/c/captain.htm - 53k

Marsh (4 Occurrences)

/m/marsh.htm - 9k

Kinsmen (74 Occurrences)
... the valley, following you, Benjamin, with your kinsmen; from Machir marched down
the commanders, and from Zeb'ulun those who bear the marshal's staff; (DBY RSV ...
/k/kinsmen.htm - 28k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl.) Holding a chief position; elevated: lofty: eminent; distinguished;
foremost; principal; as, great men; the great seal; the great marshal, etc. ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

General (9 Occurrences)
... In European armies, the highest military rank next below field marshal. 10. (n.)
The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general. ...
/g/general.htm - 49k

Governors (43 Occurrences)
... your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal's
staff came out of Zebulun. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). 1 ...
/g/governors.htm - 21k

Wield (8 Occurrences)
... among your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the
marshal's staff came out of Zebulun. (See NAS). Psalms 74 ...
/w/wield.htm - 9k

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