In biblical times, the term "magistrate" refers to a civil officer or judge who administers the law. The role of magistrates is evident in both the Old and New Testaments, where they are seen as figures of authority responsible for maintaining order and justice within society.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of magistrates can be linked to the judges and elders who were appointed to govern the people of Israel. These leaders were tasked with interpreting and enforcing the Mosaic Law. For instance, in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses instructs the Israelites to appoint judges and officers in all their towns to ensure that justice is administered fairly: "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 fairly" (Deuteronomy 16:18).

The role of these judges was crucial in maintaining the covenantal relationship between God and His people, ensuring that the laws given by God were upheld. They were expected to be impartial and to judge righteously, as seen in the exhortation: "Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly" (Leviticus 19:15).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "magistrate" is more explicitly used, particularly in the context of Roman governance. The Roman Empire had a well-established system of magistrates who were responsible for the administration of justice and the enforcement of laws. The Apostle Paul encountered magistrates during his missionary journeys, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.

One notable instance is found in Acts 16, where Paul and Silas are brought before the magistrates in Philippi. After being accused of causing a public disturbance, they are beaten and imprisoned without a proper trial. The text states: "The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods" (Acts 16:22). This incident highlights the authority and power wielded by magistrates in the Roman legal system, as well as the potential for misuse of that power.

Role and Responsibilities

Magistrates in biblical times were expected to uphold justice and righteousness, reflecting the character of God as the ultimate judge. They were to be men of integrity, wisdom, and discernment, capable of making fair decisions. The Bible emphasizes the importance of justice and the role of leaders in ensuring that it is carried out. Proverbs 29:4 states, "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down" .

Spiritual Implications

From a spiritual perspective, the role of magistrates serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ultimate authority over all human affairs. Believers are encouraged to respect and submit to governing authorities, as they are instituted by God for the purpose of maintaining order and justice. Romans 13:1-2 instructs, "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. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" .

In summary, magistrates in the biblical context were key figures in the administration of justice, both in the Israelite community and within the broader Roman Empire. Their role underscores the biblical principles of justice, righteousness, and the divine order established by God.A public civil officer invested with authority. The Hebrew shophetim, or judges, were magistrates having authority in the land (Deuteronomy 1:16, 17). In Judges 18:7 the word "magistrate" (A.V.) is rendered in the Revised Version "possessing authority", i.e., having power to do them harm by invasion. In the time of Ezra (9:2) and Nehemiah (2:16; 4:14; 13:11) the Jewish magistrates were called seganim, properly meaning "nobles." In the New Testament the Greek word archon, rendered "magistrate" (Luke 12:58; Titus 3:1), means one first in power, and hence a prince, as in Matthew 20:25, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 8. This term is used of the Messiah, "Prince of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5). In Acts 16:20, 22, 35, 36, 38, the Greek term strategos, rendered "magistrate," properly signifies the leader of an army, a general, one having military authority. The strategoi were the duumviri, the two praetors appointed to preside over the administration of justice in the colonies of the Romans. They were attended by the sergeants (properly lictors or "rod bearers"). (n.) A person clothed with power as a public civil officer; a public civil officer invested with the executive government, or some branch of it.MAGISTRATE

maj'-is-trat (shephaT, corresponding to shaphaT, "to judge," "to pronounce sentence" (Judges 18:7)): Among the ancients, the terms corresponding to our "magistrate" had a much wider signification. "Magistrates and judges" (shopheTim we-dhayyanim) should be translated "judges and rulers" (Ezra 7:25). ceghanim "rulers" or "nobles," were Babylonian magistrates or prefects of provinces (Jeremiah 51:23, 28, 57 Ezekiel 23:6). In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Jewish magistrates bore the same title (Ezra 9:2 Nehemiah 2:16; Nehemiah 4:14; Nehemiah 13:11). The Greek archon, "magistrate" (Luke 12:58 Titus 3:1 the King James Version), signifies the chief in power (1 Corinthians 2:6, 8) and "ruler" (Acts 4:26 Romans 13:3).

The Messiah is designated as the "prince (archon) of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5 the King James Version), and by the same term Moses is designated the judge and leader of the Hebrews (Acts 7:27, 35). The wide application of this term is manifest from the fact that it is used of magistrates of any kind, e.g. the high priest (Acts 23:5); civil judges (Luke 12:58 Acts 16:19); ruler of the synagogue (Luke 8:41 Matthew 9:18, 23 Mark 5:22); persons of standing and authority among the Pharisees and other sects that appear in the Sanhedrin (Luke 14:1 John 3:1 Acts 3:17). The term also designates Satan, the prince or chief of the fallen angels (Matthew 9:34 Ephesians 2:2).

In the New Testament we also find strategos, employed to designate the Roman praetors or magistrates of Philippi, a Roman colony (Acts 16:20, 22, 35, 36, 38). A collective term for those clothed with power (Eng. "the powers"), exousiai, is found in Luke 12:11 the King James Version; Romans 13:2, 3 Titus 3:1. The "higher powers" (Romans 13:1) are all those who are placed in positions of civil authority from the emperor down.

In early Hebrew history, the magisterial office was limited to the hereditary chiefs, but Moses made the judicial office elective. In his time the "heads of families" were 59 in number, and these, together with the 12 princes of the tribes, composed the Sanhedrin or Council of 71. Some of the scribes were entrusted with the business of keeping the genealogies and in this capacity were also regarded as magistrates.

Frank E. Hirsch

4755. strategos -- a general, governor
... governor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: strategos Phonetic Spelling:
(strat-ay-gos') Short Definition: a general, magistrate, captain of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4755.htm - 7k

758. archon -- ruler, chief
... of archo Definition ruler, chief NASB Word Usage authorities (1), leaders (1),
magistrate (1), official (2), official's (1), prince (1), ruler (1), ruler (13 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/758.htm - 7k

4173. politarches -- the ruler of a city
... Masculine Transliteration: politarches Phonetic Spelling: (pol-it-ar'-khace) Short
Definition: a ruler of a city Definition: a ruler of a city, city magistrate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4173.htm - 6k

746. arche -- beginning, origin
... rulers (6). magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule. From archomai;
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/746.htm - 7k

2923. krites -- a judge
... a judge. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: krites Phonetic Spelling:
(kree-tace') Short Definition: a judge Definition: a judge, magistrate, ruler ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2923.htm - 6k

2316. theos -- God, a god
... Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ho) the supreme Divinity; figuratively,
a magistrate; by Hebraism, very -- X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2316.htm - 7k

2012. epitropos -- an administrator (one having authority)
... a steward, guardian Definition: (a) (procurator) a steward, (b) (tutor) a guardian
(appointed for an infant [under 14 perhaps] by the father or by a magistrate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2012.htm - 6k

1849. exousia -- power to act, authority
... sense of ability); privilege, ie (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom,
or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1849.htm - 8k

8200. shephat -- to judge
... magistrate. (Aramaic) corresponding to shaphat; to judge -- magistrate. see HEBREW
shaphat. 8199, 8200. shephat. 8201 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8200.htm - 6k

6114. etser -- perhaps restraint
... Word Origin from atsar Definition perhaps restraint NASB Word Usage ruler* (1).
magistrate. From atsar; restraint -- + magistrate. see HEBREW atsar. ...
/hebrew/6114.htm - 6k

3423. yarash -- to take possession of, inherit, dispossess
... out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, X
without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) + magistrate, be (make ...
/hebrew/3423.htm - 7k

7101. qatsin -- a chief, ruler
... captain, guide, prince, ruler. From qatsah in the sense of determining; a magistrate
(as deciding) or other leader -- captain, guide, prince, ruler. ...
/hebrew/7101.htm - 6k

7860. shoter -- official, officer
... unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, ie (by analogy or
implication) an official superintendent or magistrate -- officer, overseer, ruler. ...
/hebrew/7860.htm - 6k

6414. palil -- a judge
... Word Origin from palal Definition a judge NASB Word Usage judge (1), judges (2).
judge. From palal; a magistrate -- judge. see HEBREW palal. 6413, 6414. ...
/hebrew/6414.htm - 6k

Letter Lxxxiii. To a Magistrate.
... Letter LXXXIII. To a Magistrate. ... [2286] Placed in 372. [2287] Censitor, ie the
magistrate responsible for rating and taxation in the provinces. [2288] cf. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter lxxxiii to a magistrate.htm

Psalm 101:1. LM The Magistrate's Psalm.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 101:1. LM The Magistrate's psalm.
1 Mercy and judgment are my song; And since they both to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 101 1 0 l m the.htm

Psalm 101 the Magistrate's Psalm.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 101 The magistrate's Psalm. LM The magistrate's Psalm.
Mercy and judgment are my song; And since they both to thee belong,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 101 the magistrates psalm.htm

Death of a Magistrate or Public Man.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 1004. " Death of a Magistrate or Public Man.
1004. HM JG Adams. Death of a Magistrate or Public Man. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/1004 death of a.htm

The Fourteenth Proposition. Concerning the Power of the Civil ...
... THE FOURTEENTH PROPOSITION. Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate, in
matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. ...
/.../the fourteenth proposition concerning the.htm

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ...
... Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious,
and pertaining to the Conscience. Concerning the Power ...
/.../proposition xiv concerning the power.htm

On Magistracy
... The chief magistrate is not correctly denominated political or secular, because
those epithets are opposed to the ecclesiastical and spiritual power.2. In the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on magistracy.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 56, 58, "Ye Know How to ...
... know how to interpret the face of the Earth and the Heaven," etc.; and of the words,
"for as thou art going with thine adversary before the magistrate, on the ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lix on the words.htm

On Councils
... If she is under the sway of a Christian magistrate, who makes an open profession
of religion, or who publicly tolerates it, then we transfer this power to such ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lviii on councils.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... If it be said, in case the magistrate command it not, we think that strange divinity,
that the sole command of the magistrate should make that our duty, which ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

Magistrate (9 Occurrences)
... In Judges 18:7 the word "magistrate" (AV) is rendered in the Revised Version
"possessing authority", ie, having power to do them harm by invasion. ...MAGISTRATE. ...
/m/magistrate.htm - 15k

Opponent (13 Occurrences)
... terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to
the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you ...
/o/opponent.htm - 10k

Appointed (385 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). Acts 7:27 "But the man who was doing the wrong resented his interference,
and asked, "'Who appointed you magistrate and judge over us? (WEY). ...
/a/appointed.htm - 35k

Governor (78 Occurrences)
... 2; 3:32). These dignities appear to have been elective, not hereditary.
(3.) Hebrews pakid, an officer or magistrate. It is used ...
/g/governor.htm - 48k

Ruler (329 Occurrences)
... 4:14, 19; 5:7, 17; Nehemiah 7:5; Nehemiah 12:40; Nehemiah 13:11 Isaiah 41:25 Ezekiel
23:6) always used in plural (5) qatsin, "a judge" or "magistrate" (Isaiah 1 ...
/r/ruler.htm - 50k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... Both phrases vividly bring out the baneful effect of bribery-a magistrate otherwise
upright and honest-open-eyed and wise-may be unconsciously yet effectively ...
/j/judicial.htm - 25k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... true cornerstone of Roman liberty was thought to be the lexicon Valeria, which provided
that no citizen should be put to death by a magistrate without being ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Judge (297 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews shophet, pl. shophetim), properly a magistrate
or ruler, rather than one who judges in the sense of trying a cause. ...
/j/judge.htm - 46k

Yet (1244 Occurrences)
... terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to
the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you ...
/y/yet.htm - 35k

Obtain (63 Occurrences)
... terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to
the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you ...
/o/obtain.htm - 24k

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