Topical Bible: Official

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "official" refers to individuals who hold positions of authority or responsibility within a governmental, religious, or organizational structure. These roles are often characterized by duties that involve governance, administration, or oversight. The Bible provides numerous examples of officials, highlighting their roles, responsibilities, and the moral and ethical standards expected of them.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, officials are frequently mentioned in the context of the Israelite monarchy and the administration of the kingdom. For instance, King Solomon's reign is noted for its well-organized administrative structure, which included various officials. 1 Kings 4:1-2 states, "So King Solomon ruled over all Israel, and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok—the priest."

Officials in the Old Testament also include those who served in religious capacities, such as the Levites and priests, who were responsible for the maintenance of the temple and the conduct of worship. The role of officials extended to judges and elders who were tasked with maintaining justice and order within the community, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:18 : "You are to 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 with righteous judgment."

New Testament

In the New Testament, the term "official" is often associated with Roman governance and the administrative structure of the Roman Empire. Roman officials, such as centurions and governors, are frequently mentioned in the Gospels and Acts. For example, in Matthew 8:5-13 , a centurion approaches Jesus, demonstrating faith in His authority to heal his servant. This passage highlights the interaction between Jesus and Roman officials, illustrating the reach of His ministry beyond the Jewish community.

The New Testament also addresses the conduct of officials, emphasizing the importance of justice and integrity. Romans 13:1-4 instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing their role as servants of God: "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."

Moral and Ethical Expectations

Throughout the Bible, officials are expected to uphold high moral and ethical standards. They are called to act justly, serve the people faithfully, and adhere to God's commandments. The prophet Micah encapsulates this expectation in Micah 6:8 : "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The Bible also warns against the abuse of power and corruption among officials. Proverbs 29:2 states, "When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan." This underscores the impact of leadership on the well-being of a community and the divine mandate for officials to govern with righteousness and integrity.

Conclusion

The role of an official in the biblical narrative is multifaceted, encompassing governance, religious duties, and the administration of justice. Whether in the context of ancient Israel or the Roman Empire, officials are portrayed as key figures in maintaining order and executing the will of God. The Bible's teachings on the responsibilities and conduct of officials continue to offer valuable insights into the principles of leadership and governance.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) of or pertaining to an office or public trust; as, official duties, or routine.

2. (n.) Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authority; as, an official statement or report.

3. (n.) Approved by authority; sanctioned by the pharmacopoeia; appointed to be used in medicine; as, an official drug or preparation. Cf. Officinal.

4. (n.) Discharging an office or function.

5. (a.) One who holds an office; esp., a subordinate executive officer or attendant.

6. (n.) An ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.

Greek

775. Asiarches -- an Asiarch, an official of Asian cities
... an Asiarch, an official of Asian cities. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Asiarches Phonetic Spelling: (as-ee-ar'-khace) Short Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/775.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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4232.htm - 7k

2233. hegeomai -- to lead, suppose
... 2233 (from 71 , "to lead") -- properly, to lead the way (going before as a ) --
cognate with 2232 ("a governor or official who leads others"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2233.htm - 9k

3011. leitourgos -- a public servant, a minister, a servant
... leitourgos Phonetic Spelling: (li-toorg-os') Short Definition: a minister, servant
Definition: a minister, servant, of an official character; of priests and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3011.htm - 8k

758. archon -- ruler, chief
... Spelling: (ar'-khone) Short Definition: a ruler, prince, leader Definition: a ruler,
governor, leader, leading man; with the Jews, an official member (a member ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/758.htm - 7k

3009. leitourgia -- a service, a ministry
... Cognate: 3009 (a feminine noun derived from 3011 , "an official servant," "sacred
ministering") -- properly, official (technical) service offered by a duly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3009.htm - 7k

5010. taxis -- an arranging, order
... order. From tasso; regular arrangement, ie (in time) fixed succession (of rank
or character), official dignity -- order. see GREEK tasso. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5010.htm - 7k

3952. parousia -- a presence, a coming
... 3952 () is a "technical term with reference to of a king or some other official,
'a royal visit' " (Souter) -- "hence, in the NT, specifically of the or of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3952.htm - 7k

5511. chlamus -- a chlamys or short cloak
... tunic"). 5511 ("a short, official robe") was put on Christ (perhaps taken
from a Roman officer) to heighten His humiliation. [For ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5511.htm - 7k

529. apantesis -- a meeting
... the act of meeting, to meet Definition: the act of meeting, to meet (a phrase seemingly
almost technical for the reception of a newly arrived official). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/529.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

7860. shoter -- official, officer
... 7859, 7860. shoter. 7861 . official, officer. Transliteration: shoter
Phonetic Spelling: (sho-tare') Short Definition: officers. ...
/hebrew/7860.htm - 6k

8269. sar -- chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
... 8268, 8269. sar. 8270 . chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince.
Transliteration: sar Phonetic Spelling: (sar) Short Definition: princes. ...
/hebrew/8269.htm - 6k

7249. Rab-saris -- perhaps "chief eunuch," an official of the ...
... perhaps "chief eunuch," an official of the Assyr. ... From rab and a foreign word for
a eunuch; chief chamberlain; Rab-Saris, a Babylonian official -- Rab-saris. ...
/hebrew/7249.htm - 6k

7248. Rab-mag -- perhaps "chief soothsayer," an official of the ...
Rab-mag. 7247, 7248. Rab-mag. 7249 . perhaps "chief soothsayer," an official
of the Bab. ... Official -- Rab-mag. see HEBREW rab. 7247, 7248. Rab-mag. 7249 > ...
/hebrew/7248.htm - 6k

671a. apharesekaye -- official
... 671, 671a. apharesekaye. 671b . official. Transliteration: apharesekaye
Short Definition: officials. Word Origin (Aramaic) from ...
/hebrew/671a.htm - 5k

292. Achinadab -- "my brother is noble," an official of Solomon
... Achinadab. 293 . "my brother is noble," an official of Solomon. Transliteration:
Achinadab Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-naw-dawb') Short Definition: Ahinadab. ...
/hebrew/292.htm - 6k

5371. Nergal Sharetser -- a Bab. court official
... Nergal Sharetser. 5372 . a Bab. court official. Transliteration: Nergal Sharetser
Phonetic Spelling: (nare-gal' shar-eh'-tser) Short Definition: Nergal-sar-ezer ...
/hebrew/5371.htm - 6k

8370. Shethar Bozenay -- a Pers. official
... Shethar Bozenay. 8371 . a Pers. official. Transliteration: Shethar Bozenay Phonetic
Spelling: (sheth-ar' bo-zen-ah'-ee) Short Definition: Shethar-bozenai. ...
/hebrew/8370.htm - 6k

5663. Ebed Melek -- "servant of a king," an official under King ...
... "servant of a king," an official under King Zedekiah. Transliteration: Ebed Melek
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-bed meh'-lek) Short Definition: Ebed-melech. ...
/hebrew/5663.htm - 6k

2967. tarpelaye -- official (a Pers. title)
... 2966, 2967. tarpelaye. 2968 . official (a Pers. ... Word Origin (Aramaic) of foreign
origin Definition official (a Pers. title) NASB Word Usage officials (1). ...
/hebrew/2967.htm - 6k

Library

The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of ...
... Book I. Chapter X. "The Christians are Not the Only Contemners of the Gods
Contempt of Them Often Displayed by Heathen Official Persons. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter x name christians are.htm

Augustin Indulgently Shows that the Judges Acted Incautiously in ...
... A work on the proceedings of pelagius, Chapter 41."Augustin Indulgently Shows that
the Judges Acted Incautiously in Their Official Conduct of the Case of ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 41 augustin indulgently shows that.htm

A Prophet who Saved a Great City
... Once the king of Assyria sent a high official with a great army to Jerusalem. ...
And the high official said to them, "Why are you so confident? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a prophet who saved a.htm

An Account of the General Conference of 1800
... he continued his annual tour of the continent, he was able to preach but seldom,
and that it was with much difficulty he discharged his official duties at ...
/.../chapter 4 an account of.htm

Climbing Towards the Climax.
... He boldly teaches in the temple in the midst of much opposition, bitter discussion,
and concerted official effort against Him.[34] The dramatic incident of the ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/climbing towards the climax.htm

Who's There?
... they haven't. Even more striking is the recent visitation to us of official
commissions from the non-Christian lands. One after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks with world winners/whos there.htm

The Surprised Jew.
... In the old picture of the Messiah there are two distinct groups of
characteristics of the coming king, personal and official. He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the surprised jew.htm

Kings
... to have contained, eg, accounts of wars, conquests, conspiracies, buildings, 1 Kings
14:19, xv.23, xvi.20, but it is not probable that they were official annals ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/kings.htm

Matthew.
... (Matt.25:34, 40). 5. It Is an Official and an Organic Gospel. This is suggested
in that Matthew represents Satan as head of a kingdom ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxiv matthew.htm

The Continuation of the Story
... satisfactory.". Orders were accordingly issued that all Christians were to receive
this official paper whereby their safety would be ensured. ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter iv the continuation of.htm

Thesaurus

Official (45 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) of or pertaining to an office or public trust;
as, official duties, or routine. ...Official (45 Occurrences). ...
/o/official.htm - 20k

Official's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Official's (1 Occurrence). Matthew 9:23 When Jesus
came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players ...
/o/official's.htm - 6k

Return (499 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To render, as an account, usually an official account, to a ... 13. (vt) Hence,
to elect according to the official report of the election officers. 14. ...
/r/return.htm - 38k

Record (71 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) An official contemporaneous writing by which the acts of some public body,
or public officer, are recorded; as, a record of city ordinances; the ...
/r/record.htm - 29k

Procurator
... a financial agent with power of attorney, and the development of the special usage
of the word to denote an imperial functionary or official is characteristic ...
/p/procurator.htm - 13k

Publius (2 Occurrences)
... The word here rendered "chief man" (protos) is supposed by some to be properly
a Maltese term, the official title of the governor. Int. ...
/p/publius.htm - 9k

Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... of Moses 3. The Progress of Religion, Seen in Moses' Intercessions 4. Intercessory
Prayer in Israel's Later History 5. The Rise of Official Intercession 6 ...
/i/intercession.htm - 52k

Officiate (1 Occurrence)
... service. 2. (vt) To discharge, perform, or supply, as an official duty or function.
Multi-Version Concordance Officiate (1 Occurrence). ...
/o/officiate.htm - 7k

Geber (9 Occurrences)
... His district was also East of the Jordan, but probably to the South of that named
in connection with the official of 4:13 (the Revised Version (British and ...
/g/geber.htm - 10k

Inquisition (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of inquiring; examination; a court for
investigation. 2. (n.) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest. ...
/i/inquisition.htm - 9k

Resources

Are Catholics saved? | GotQuestions.org

Is prayer to saints / Mary biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Gathering of Christ Church? | GotQuestions.org

Official: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Official (45 Occurrences)

Matthew 9:18
While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live."
(See NAS)

Mark 5:35
While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler's house saying, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?"
(See NAS)

Mark 5:36
But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Don't be afraid, only believe."
(See NAS)

Mark 5:38
He came to the synagogue ruler's house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing.
(See NAS)

Luke 8:41
Behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus' feet, and begged him to come into his house,
(See NAS)

Luke 8:49
While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue's house came, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Don't trouble the Teacher."
(See NAS)

Luke 13:14
The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, "There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!"
(See NAS)

John 4:46
Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine. There was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

John 4:49
The nobleman said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies."
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 8:27
He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.
(See NAS NIV)

Acts 28:7
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days.
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:5
various forms of official service, and yet one and the same Lord;
(WEY)

2 Kings 8:6
And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying: 'Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.'
(See RSV NIV)

2 Kings 18:24
How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
(See NAS NIV)

2 Kings 23:11
And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nethan-melech the officer, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
(See NAS NIV)

2 Kings 25:8
Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, to Jerusalem.
(See NIV)

2 Kings 25:19
and out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war; and five men of them that saw the king's face, who were found in the city; and the scribe of the captain of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the city.
(See NAS)

1 Chronicles 9:11
and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 13:6
Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 26:11
Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.
(See NAS NIV)

2 Chronicles 31:13
Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
(See NIV)

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.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 2:10
When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
(See NAS NIV)

Nehemiah 2:19
But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that you do? will you rebel against the king?
(See NAS 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.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 3:9
Next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 3:12
Next to him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 3:14
The dung gate repaired Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem; he built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 3:15
The spring gate repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king's garden, even to the stairs that go down from the city of David.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 3:16
After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, to the place over against the tombs of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty men.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 3:17
After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 3:18
After him repaired their brothers, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah.
(See NAS)

Nehemiah 3:19
Next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another portion, over against the ascent to the armory at the turning of the wall.
(See NAS)

Esther 1:8
In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
(Root in WEB NAS RSV)

Proverbs 17:11
An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him.
(See NIV)

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don't marvel at the matter: for one official is eyed by a higher one; and there are officials over them.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 36:9
How then may you put to shame the least of my master's servants? and you have put your hope in Egypt for war-carriages and horsemen:
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 38:7
Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an officer, who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the pit; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 39:3
that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit, Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 39:13
So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushazban Rab-saris, and Nergal-sarezer Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon;
(See NIV)

Daniel 1:7
And the chief of the officers gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 1:8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's food, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the officers that he might not defile himself.
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 1:9
And God granted Daniel mercy and compassion in the sight of the chief of the officers.
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 1:11
Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the chief of the officers had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 1:18
And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the chief of the officers brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
(See NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Official

Related Terms

Official (45 Occurrences)

Taskmaster (3 Occurrences)

Amon (20 Occurrences)

Assessor

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Keys (2 Occurrences)

Arrest (22 Occurrences)

Trial (45 Occurrences)

Purim (5 Occurrences)