In the context of the Bible, the term "tribune" refers to a Roman military officer known as a "tribunus." This position was significant within the Roman army and governance structure, often associated with authority and command over troops. The role of a tribune is mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles, where it plays a part in the narrative of the Apostle Paul.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 21:31-32 : The tribune is first introduced in the context of Paul's arrest in Jerusalem. As the city is in turmoil due to accusations against Paul, the Roman tribune intervenes to prevent a riot. "While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman cohort received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. Immediately he took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul."

2. Acts 22:24 : The tribune orders Paul to be brought into the barracks for questioning. "The commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to determine the reason for this outcry against him."

3. Acts 23:10 : The tribune's role is further highlighted when he rescues Paul from a violent dispute among the Sanhedrin. "The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks."

4. Acts 23:17-22 : The tribune is informed of a plot against Paul's life and takes measures to protect him. "Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, 'Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.' So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, 'Paul the prisoner sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.' The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, 'What do you need to tell me?' He answered, 'The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him. But do not let them persuade you, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, awaiting your consent.' So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, 'Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.'"

Role and Function:

The tribune, or "chiliarch" in Greek, was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army, typically commanding a cohort of about 600 soldiers. In the New Testament, the tribune is depicted as a figure of authority who maintains order and enforces Roman law. The tribune's intervention in Paul's case underscores the Roman commitment to law and order, even amidst local religious and social tensions.

Historical Context:

The position of tribune was an essential part of the Roman military and political system. Tribunes were often of equestrian rank and could be involved in both military and administrative duties. Their responsibilities included leading troops, maintaining discipline, and sometimes serving as a liaison between the Roman authorities and local populations.

Significance in Acts:

The presence of the tribune in the Acts of the Apostles highlights the complex interplay between Roman authority and the early Christian movement. The tribune's actions in protecting Paul demonstrate the legal protections afforded to Roman citizens, which Paul invokes as part of his defense. This interaction also illustrates the broader theme of divine providence and protection over Paul's mission, as God uses even Roman officials to fulfill His purposes.

In summary, the tribune in the biblical narrative serves as a crucial figure in the unfolding of events surrounding the Apostle Paul, reflecting the historical realities of Roman governance and its impact on the early Christian church.1. (n.) A person or group who upholds the rights of ordinary people; an officer or magistrate chosen by the people, to protect them from the oppression of the patricians, or nobles, and to defend their liberties against any attempts that might be made upon them by the senate and consuls.

2. (n.) Anciently, a bench or elevated place, from which speeches were delivered; in France, a kind of pulpit in the hall of the legislative assembly, where a member stands while making an address; any place occupied by a public orator.

5506. chiliarchos -- a chiliarch, a commander of a thousand
... thousand. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: chiliarchos Phonetic
Spelling: (khil-ee'-ar-khos) Short Definition: a military tribune Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5506.htm - 7k

2804. Klaudios -- Claudius, the name of an Emperor, also an army ...
... a) Claudius, the fourth of the Roman Emperors, Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus
Germanicus, who ruled AD 41-54, (b) Claudius Lysias, a tribune at Jerusalem. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2804.htm - 6k

3079. Lusias -- Lysias, a Roman
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Lusias Phonetic Spelling: (loo-see'-as) Short
Definition: Claudius Lysias Definition: Claudius Lysias, a Roman tribune of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3079.htm - 6k

Cestius Sends Neopolitanus the Tribune to See in what Condition ...
... CHAPTER 16. Cestius Sends Neopolitanus The Tribune To See In What Condition
The Affairs Of The Jews Were. Agrippa Makes A Speech ...
/.../chapter 16 cestius sends neopolitanus.htm

How the Same Holy Man Gave Sight to the Blind Daughter of a ...
... BOOK I CHAP. XVIII. How the same holy man gave sight to the blind daughter
of a tribune, and then coming to St. Alban, there received ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xviii how the same.htm

Rome Protects Paul
... Before the seven days during which it lasted were over the riot broke out, and he
was saved from death only by the military tribune hurrying down to the Temple ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/rome protects paul.htm

It was a Clear Morning and the Tenth Day Before the Kalends of ...
... Antipater halted as he came ashore, looking in surprise at the tribune. ... While Antipater
struggled in his great robe the tribune had disarmed him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 22 it was a.htm

Acts xxi. 18, 19
... "And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the tribune of the
cohort, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlvi acts xxi 18.htm

For the King There were Three Great Perils: the People...
... It was a day near the nones of October, when the tribune went to Caesarea with Manius. ...
Next day from the daughter of Herod came a letter to the young tribune: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 16 for the king.htm

The Revocation of the Rulers.
... of the Persians, twice conqueror of the Carpathians, six times conqueror of the
Armenians, conqueror of the Medes, conqueror of the Adiabeni, Tribune of the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xvii the revocation of the.htm

Letter Xlvi. (AD 398. )
... heard, for the barbarians to take an oath, swearing by their false gods, in the
presence of the decurion stationed on the frontier or of the tribune, when they ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xlvi a d 398.htm

Imperial Caesar
... At the forefront rode a young general; on either side a tribune. ... The second tribune
observed their interest in this trivial incident with disgust. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

Acts xxiii. 8-Jun
... "And when there arose a great dissension, the tribune, fearing lest Paul should
have been pulled in ... Else, neither would (the tribune) have been afraid now. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlix acts xxiii 8-jun.htm

Tribune (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tribune (18 Occurrences). John 18:12 So the battalion
and their tribune and the Jewish police closed in, and took Jesus and bound Him. ...
/t/tribune.htm - 12k

Citizen (9 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:26 On hearing this question, the Captain went to report the matter
to the Tribune. "What are you intending to do?" he said. ...
/c/citizen.htm - 9k

Ordered (264 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:33 Then the Tribune, making his way to him, arrested him, and, having ordered
him to be secured with two chains, proceeded to ask who he was and what ...
/o/ordered.htm - 34k

Youth (169 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:18 So he took him and brought him to the Tribune, and said, "Paul, the prisoner,
called me to him and begged me to bring this youth to you, because he ...
/y/youth.htm - 37k

Information (14 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:17 and Paul called one of the Captains and said, "Take this young man
to the Tribune, for he has information to give him." (WEY). ...
/i/information.htm - 11k

Troops (92 Occurrences)
... with all speed. At the sight of the Tribune and the troops they ceased
beating Paul. (WEY). Acts 23:10 But when the struggle was ...
/t/troops.htm - 34k

Battalion (6 Occurrences)
... weapons. (WEY). John 18:12 So the battalion and their tribune and the Jewish
police closed in, and took Jesus and bound Him. (WEY). ...
/b/battalion.htm - 8k

Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... The Roman law originally gave a citizen the right of appeal to the tribune of the
people, but, with the establishment of the Empire, the emperor himself ...
/a/appeal.htm - 20k

Point (106 Occurrences)
... left him. And the Tribune, too, was frightened when he learnt that Paul
was a Roman citizen, for he had had him bound. (WEY). Acts ...
/p/point.htm - 40k

Uproar (33 Occurrences)
... one accusation against Paul and some another, until, as the uproar made it impossible
for the truth to be ascertained with certainty, the Tribune ordered him ...
/u/uproar.htm - 16k

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