In the context of the Bible, the term "deputy" refers to an official or representative appointed to carry out specific duties or govern on behalf of a higher authority. The role of a deputy is often associated with governance, administration, and the execution of justice. The concept of a deputy is seen in various forms throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the organizational structures of ancient societies.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of a deputy can be seen in the administrative systems established by kings and leaders. For example, King Solomon organized his kingdom with a network of officials to manage different regions and tasks. Although the term "deputy" is not explicitly used in many English translations, the function is evident in the roles of governors and overseers. These officials were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining order, and ensuring the king's decrees were implemented.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "deputy" appears in the context of Roman governance. The Berean Standard Bible uses the term in Acts 13:7, referring to Sergius Paulus, a proconsul of Cyprus: "He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. The proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God." Here, the term "proconsul" is synonymous with "deputy," indicating a Roman official governing a province on behalf of the Roman Senate.

The role of deputies in the Roman Empire was significant, as they were entrusted with maintaining peace, collecting taxes, and administering justice. Their authority was derived from the emperor or the Senate, and they wielded considerable power in their respective regions.

Biblical Significance

The concept of a deputy in the Bible underscores the importance of delegated authority and the orderly administration of governance. It reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are entrusted with responsibilities to act on behalf of a higher authority. This principle is evident in the parables of Jesus, where servants are given tasks to manage their master's affairs (e.g., Matthew 25:14-30).

Furthermore, the role of deputies highlights the need for wisdom and integrity in leadership. As seen in the example of Sergius Paulus, who sought to hear the word of God, a deputy's openness to truth and righteousness can have a profound impact on their governance and the people they serve.

Theological Reflection

From a theological perspective, the role of a deputy can be seen as a reflection of God's order and justice. Just as deputies are appointed to govern and execute the will of their superiors, believers are called to be representatives of Christ, acting as His ambassadors in the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). This calling involves living out the values of the Kingdom of God and stewarding the responsibilities entrusted to them with faithfulness and integrity.Deputy

(Acts 13:7,8,12; 19:38) The Greek word signifies proconsul, the title of the Roman governors who were appointed by the senate.

In 1 Kings 22:47, means a prefect; one set over others. The same Hebrew word is rendered "officer;" i.e., chief of the commissariat appointed by Solomon (1 Kings 4:5, etc.).

In Esther 8:9; 9:3 (R.V., "governor") it denotes a Persian prefect "on this side" i.e., in the region west of the Euphrates. It is the modern word pasha.

In Acts 13:7, 8, 12; 18:12, it denotes a proconsul; i.e., the governor of a Roman province holding his appointment from the senate. The Roman provinces were of two kinds, (1) senatorial and (2) imperial. The appointment of a governor to the former was in the hands of the senate, and he bore the title of proconsul (Gr. anthupatos). The appointment of a governor to the latter was in the hands of the emperor, and he bore the title of propraetor (Gr. antistrategos).

1. (n.) One appointed as the substitute of another, and empowered to act for him, in his name or his behalf; a substitute in office; a lieutenant; a representative; a delegate; a vicegerent; as, the deputy of a prince, of a sheriff, of a township, etc.

2. (n.) A member of the Chamber of Deputies.

DEPUTY

dep'-u-ti: This is the correct rendering of nitsabh (1 Kings 22:47). In Esther 8:9, 9:3 the term improperly represents caghan, in the King James Version, and is corrected to "governor" in the Revised Version (British and American). In the New Testament "deputy" represents anthupatos (Acts 13:7, 8, 12; Acts 18:12; Acts 19:38), which the Revised Version (British and American) correctly renders "proconsul" (which see). The Roman proconsuls were officers invested with consular power over a district outside the city, usually for one year. Originally they were retiring consuls, but after Augustus the title was given to governors of senatorial provinces, whether they had held the office of consul or not. The proconsul exercised judicial as well as military power in his province, and his authority was absolute, except as he might be held accountable at the expiration of his office. See GOVERNMENT.

William Arthur Heidel

445. anthupateuo -- act as deputy or proconsul.
... 444, 445. anthupateuo. 446 . act as deputy or proconsul. ... Word Origin variant
reading for anthupatos, qv. act as deputy or proconsul. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/445.htm - 6k

446. anthupatos -- a consul, proconsul
... deputy, proconsul. From anti and a superlative of huper; instead of the highest
officer, ie (specially) a Roman proconsul -- deputy. see GREEK anti. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/446.htm - 6k

6496. paqid -- commissioner, deputy, overseer
... 6495, 6496. paqid. 6497 . commissioner, deputy, overseer. Transliteration:
paqid Phonetic Spelling: (paw-keed') Short Definition: overseer. ...
/hebrew/6496.htm - 6k

5324. natsab -- to take one's stand, stand
... root Definition to take one's stand, stand NASB Word Usage arises (1), attending
(1), best (1), charge (2), deputies (4), deputy (1), erected (2), establish (2 ...
/hebrew/5324.htm - 6k

6346. pechah -- a governor
... captain, deputy, governor. Of foreign origin; a prefect (of a city or small district) --
captain, deputy, governor. 6345, 6346. pechah. 6347 . ...
/hebrew/6346.htm - 6k

8660. tirshatha -- (a Pers. title) governor
... title) governor NASB Word Usage governor (5). Tirshatha. Of foreign derivation;
the title of a Persian deputy or governor -- Tirshatha. 8659, 8660. ...
/hebrew/8660.htm - 6k

4397. malak -- a messenger
... From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically,
of God, ie An angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) -- ambassador, angel ...
/hebrew/4397.htm - 6k

5333. netsib -- a pillar, prefect, garrison, post
... Word Origin from natsab Definition a pillar, prefect, garrison, post NASB Word Usage
deputy (1), garrison (4), garrisons (5), officers (1), pillar (1). ...
/hebrew/5333.htm - 6k

Heralds of the Gospel
... they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus: which was with the deputy of the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: which was with the deputy of the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

To the Regions Beyond
... had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet,
a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: 7. Which was with the deputy of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/to the regions beyond.htm

Third Mark of Inspiration, which is Holy Obedience to the Church ...
... In case Simeon, yielding to their advice and giving in to their will, should show
himself ready to descend, they had charged the deputy to leave him free to ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii third mark of.htm

A Fall and a Recovery, 1800-1857.
... At this Synod the deputy for Herrnhut was a lawyer named Riegelmann; and, being
desirous to do his duty efficiently, he had asked for a copy of the "Synodal ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iii a fall and.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... I was introduced to the Governor by his most intimate acquaintance Synudi, the Deputy
of Huelba, to whom I was introduced by the celebrated Alcala de Galiano ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 8.htm

Home-Government.
... The parent is only deputy governor,"steward, "bound to be faithful." Hence the
obligation of the child to obey the steward is as great as that to obey the ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xviii home-government.htm

Wesley Protests against Lawlessness
... a drunken rabble came with clubs and staves, in a tumultuous and riotous manner,
the captain of whom, Richard B., by name, said he was a deputy-constable and ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley protests against lawlessness.htm

Parasitism.
... It consists essentially in the deputy-work or deputy-worship inseparable from church
or chapel ministrations. ... His work for Christ is done by a paid deputy. ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/parasitism.htm

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its ...
... had gone through the isle (Cyprus) to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus, which was with the deputy of the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi one argument which.htm

Deputy (7 Occurrences)
... and empowered to act for him, in his name or his behalf; a substitute in office;
a lieutenant; a representative; a delegate; a vicegerent; as, the deputy of a ...
/d/deputy.htm - 11k

Zebul (5 Occurrences)
... of Shechem. In Judges 9:28 he is referred to as the paqidh, "officer,"
or, more correctly, "deputy" of Abimelech. This verse is ...
/z/zebul.htm - 12k

Paulus (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Sergius Paulus. A "prudent man" (RV, "man of
understanding"), the deputy (RV, "proconsul") of Cyprus (Acts 13:6-13). ...
/p/paulus.htm - 9k

Sergius (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Sergius Paulus. A "prudent man" (RV, "man of
understanding"), the deputy (RV, "proconsul") of Cyprus (Acts 13:6-13). ...
/s/sergius.htm - 9k

Gallio (3 Occurrences)
... He was "deputy", ie, proconsul, as in Revised Version, of Achaia, under the
emperor Claudius, when Paul visited Corinth (Acts 18:12). ...
/g/gallio.htm - 10k

Ruler (329 Occurrences)
... The English Versions of the Bible renders it "ruler" (Ezekiel 23:12, 23), "deputy"
(Jeremiah 51:23, 28, 57), and, in most cases, "ruler" with "deputy" in ...
/r/ruler.htm - 50k

Deputation (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of deputing, or of appointing or commissioning a deputy or
representative; office of a deputy or delegate; vicegerency. ...
/d/deputation.htm - 7k

Menelaus
... before the king. Lysimachus, the brother of Menelaus, was left at Jerusalem
in the meantime as deputy high priest. The king was ...
/m/menelaus.htm - 9k

Pashur (12 Occurrences)
... the same as Amariah, Nehemiah 10:3; 12:2), the head of one of the priestly courses,
was "chief governor [Hebrews paqid nagid, meaning "deputy governor"] of the ...
/p/pashur.htm - 14k

Achaia (11 Occurrences)
... when Luke wrote the Acts of the Apostles under the proconsular form of government;
hence the appropriate title given to Gallio as the "deputy," ie, proconsul ...
/a/achaia.htm - 13k

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