In the context of the Bible, the term "recorder" refers to an official position within the royal court, primarily during the periods of the united monarchy and the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The role of the recorder was significant in the administration of the kingdom, serving as a chronicler or remembrancer who maintained records of events, decisions, and other important matters of state.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Samuel 8:16-17 : "Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe." In this passage, Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud is identified as the recorder during King David's reign. His role was crucial in documenting the king's military and administrative activities.

2. 2 Kings 18:18 : "They called for the king, but Eliakim son of Hilkiah, the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them." Here, Joah son of Asaph is mentioned as the recorder during the reign of King Hezekiah. This highlights the recorder's involvement in diplomatic and governmental affairs.

3. 1 Chronicles 18:15-16 : "Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe." This passage reiterates the role of Jehoshaphat as the recorder, emphasizing the continuity and importance of this position in the administration of the kingdom.

Role and Function:

The recorder's primary function was to maintain accurate records of the king's decrees, military campaigns, and other significant events. This role was essential for ensuring the smooth operation of the kingdom's bureaucracy and for preserving the historical narrative of the monarchy. The recorder likely worked closely with other key officials, such as the scribe and the palace administrator, to manage the affairs of the state effectively.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the position of recorder was not unique to Israel and Judah. Similar roles existed in other contemporary kingdoms, where officials were responsible for documenting royal activities and maintaining state archives. The recorder's work would have been vital for legal, administrative, and historical purposes, providing a reliable account of the king's reign and the nation's history.

Significance in Biblical Narrative:

The mention of recorders in the biblical narrative underscores the organized and structured nature of the Israelite and Judean monarchies. It reflects the importance of record-keeping and documentation in maintaining the continuity and stability of the kingdom. The recorder's role also highlights the value placed on historical accuracy and the preservation of the nation's legacy for future generations.

In summary, the recorder was a key official in the royal court, responsible for chronicling the events and decisions of the monarchy. This position was integral to the administration and historical record-keeping of the kingdom, ensuring that the legacy of the kings of Israel and Judah was preserved for posterity.Recorder

an officer of high rank in the Jewish state, exercising the functions, not simply of an annalist, but of chancellor or president of the privy council. In David's court the recorder appeal's among the high officers of his household. (2 Samuel 8:16; 20:24; 1 Chronicles 18:15) In Solomon's he is coupled with the three secretaries. (1 Kings 4:3) comp. 2Kin 18:18,37; 2Chr 34:8

Recorder

Or remembrancer, a sort of registrar of affairs at the court of Judah, 2 Samuel 8:16; 1 Kings 4:3; 2 Kings 18:18.

(Hebrews mazkir, i.e., "the mentioner, " "rememberancer"), the office first held by Jehoshaphat in the court of David (2 Samuel 8:16), also in the court of Solomon (1 Kings 4:3). The next recorder mentioned is Joah, in the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37; Isaiah 36:3, 22). In the reign of Josiah another of the name of Joah filled this office (2 Chronicles 34:8). The "recorder" was the chancellor or vizier of the kingdom. He brought all weighty matters under the notice of the king, "such as complaints, petitions, and wishes of subjects or foreigners. He also drew up papers for the king's guidance, and prepared drafts of the royal will for the scribes. All treaties came under his oversight; and he had the care of the national archives or records, to which, as royal historiographer, like the same state officer in Assyria and Egypt, he added the current annals of the kingdom." 1. (n.) One who records; specifically, a person whose official duty it is to make a record of writings or transactions.

2. (n.) The title of the chief judicial officer of some cities and boroughs; also, of the chief justice of an East Indian settlement. The Recorder of London is judge of the Lord Mayor's Court, and one of the commissioners of the Central Criminal Court.

3. (n.) A kind of wind instrument resembling the flageolet.

RECORDER

re-kor'-der (mazkir; the Revised Version margin "chronicler"): A high functionary in the court of the Jewish kings, part of whose duty seems to have been to chronicle the events of the reign, but who also occupied a position corresponding with that of the modern vizier (2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 20:24 1 Chronicles 18:15, etc.). His high rank is shown by the facts that, with other officers, he represented Hezekiah in speaking with Rabshakeh (2 Kings 18:18), and, in the reign of Josiah, superintended the repairs of the temple (2 Chronicles 34:8).

2142. zakar -- remember
... 1), make mention (2), mention (4), mentioned (5), mentioning (1), mindful (1), named*
(1), preserve (1), put me in remembrance (1), recorder (9), remember (132 ...
/hebrew/2142.htm - 6k

5707. ed -- a witness
... witness. Contracted from uwd; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony;
specifically, a recorder, ie Prince -- witness. see HEBREW uwd. 5706, 5707. ...
/hebrew/5707.htm - 6k

Warrant for Wesley's Arrest
... Sunday, August 7."I repelled Mrs. Williamson from the holy communion. and Monday,
[July] 8, Mr. Recorder, of Savannah, issued out the warrant following: ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/warrant for wesleys arrest.htm

Days of Toil and Trial
... momentary silence. Then the recorder of the city arrested the attention of
the crowd, and by virtue of his office obtained a hearing. He ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 28 days of toil.htm

Preface
... About a fourth of the matter contained in this volume has appeared in the pages
of the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, the Methodist Recorder, and the Proceedings ...
/.../kelly/the hymns of methodism in their literary relations/preface.htm

Introduction
... This work continued during the long period of sixteen hundred years"from Moses,
the historian of creation and the law, to John, the recorder of the most ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/introduction.htm

Introduction.
... This work continued during the long period of sixteen hundred years,"from Moses,
the historian of creation and the law, to John, the recorder of the most ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /introduction.htm

The New Name.
... would venture to suggest that possibly their difference in tone is just what one
might expect when the historian of a mystical teacher and the recorder of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the new name.htm

C. The Third Period. Chs. 6:12 to 8:56
... The former had been a despised publican, but his training had prepared him to become
a careful recorder of facts, so that after his intimate fellowship with ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the third period chs.htm

The Servant-Master
... preserves a sentence which finds its true meaning only in this incident, 'I am among
you as He that serveth.' And although John is the only recorder of this ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the servant-master.htm

Josiah
... 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 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah.htm

Luke's History: what it Professes to Be
... be " there always are " many facts which the poorest chronicler records correctly;
but we accept each of these, not because of the recorder's accurate and ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 1 lukes history what.htm

Recorder (10 Occurrences)
... the office first held by Jehoshaphat in the court of David (2 Samuel 8:16), also
in the court of Solomon (1 Kings 4:3). The next recorder mentioned is ...RECORDER. ...
/r/recorder.htm - 12k

Joah (10 Occurrences)
... (3.) The son of Asaph, and "recorder" (qv) or chronicler to King Hezekiah
(2 Kings 18:18, 26, 37). (4.) Son of Joahaz, and "recorder...
/j/joah.htm - 11k

Ahilud (5 Occurrences)
... a-hi'-lud ('achiludh, "child's brother," perhaps): The father of Jehoshaphat, who
is mentioned as "recorder" in both the earlier and the later lists under David ...
/a/ahilud.htm - 8k

Jo'ah (8 Occurrences)
... to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the
household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. ...
/j/jo'ah.htm - 8k

Administrator (8 Occurrences)
... to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the
household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. ...
/a/administrator.htm - 9k

Ahi'lud (5 Occurrences)
... Ahi'lud (5 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the
host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; (See RSV). ...
/a/ahi'lud.htm - 7k

Eliakim (14 Occurrences)
... to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the
household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. ...
/e/eliakim.htm - 15k

Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the
household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. ...
/s/secretary.htm - 18k

Eli'akim (12 Occurrences)
... to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the
household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. ...
/e/eli'akim.htm - 9k

Jehosh'aphat (75 Occurrences)
... RSV). 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and
Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; (See RSV). 2 Samuel ...
/j/jehosh'aphat.htm - 27k

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