Guard
Guard
(1) In Act 5:23; Act 12:6; Act 12:19 the Authorized Version renders keepers, which the Revised Version retains in the former passage, where the watchmen are Jewish, but changes into guards in the latter, where they are Roman. Arrested by the high priest Annas, and put in public ward (Act 5:18 : ), Peter and John were not chained; their keepers merely shut the prison-house () and stood on guard outside. But when St. Peter was arrested by Herod Agrippa, and imprisoned in the fortress of Antonia or the adjoining barracks, he was chained to two soldiers, while other two kept watch at the door of the prison (, Vulgate carcer). The station of the latter two was apparently the first ward (, Vulgate custodia) which the prisoner had to pass before he could effect his escape. The four soldiers together made a quaternion (), and four such bodies of armed men were told off to mount guard in succession during the four watches into which, in Roman fashion, the night was divided.
(2) The above-named Agrippa himself, having incurred the displeasure of Tiberius, once had the experience of being chained as a prisoner for six months to soldiers of the Imperial bodyguard in Rome. It was fortunate for him that the Emperors sister-in-law Antonia, who used her influence with Macro, the prfectus praetorio, procured that the soldiers who kept him should be of a gentle nature, and that the centurion who was over them, and was to diet with him, should be of the same disposition (Jos. Ant. XVIII. vi. 7). Tiberius death restored him to liberty, and Caligula consoled him with the gift of a chain of gold, equal in weight to the one of iron which he had worn (ib. vi. 10).
(3) To another such iron chain, which coupled St. Paul to one soldier after another of the same Imperial guard, allusion is made in each of the Captivity Epistles. Thanks to the favourable report given by the centurion Junius on handing over his charge to the praefect of the Praetorians, St. Paul probably received better treatment than an ordinary prisoner; but the fact remained that in his own hired house he was the of Christ Jesus, always wearing galling bonds (, Php 1:7; Php 1:13-14; Php 1:16, Col 4:18, Phm 1:10; Phm 1:13, 2Ti 2:9), called also a chain (, Eph 6:20, 2Ti 1:16). Great good, however, resulted from his imprisonment; for through the frequent relief of the guard, and the Apostles skill in changing an enforced fellowship with armed men into a spiritual communion, the real significance of his bonds-their relation to his faith in Christ-gradually became known among all the Praetorians, the finest regiment of the Roman army (Php 1:12-13). The arguments for this interpretation of the word are fully stated by Lightfoot, Philippians4, 1878, p. 99f. Other possible explanations will be found under Palace.
In the Republican days the cohors praetoria, or cohortes praetori, formed the bodyguard of the praetor or propraetor, who was governor of a province with military powers. Under the Empire the Praetorians came to be the Imperial bodyguard, which, as constituted by Augustus, was made up of nine cohorts, each of a thousand picked men. They were distinguished from other legionaries by shorter service and double pay, and on discharge they received a generous bounty or grant of land. Tiberius concentrated the force in a strongly fortified camp to the east of Rome, on a rectangle of 39 acres, where the modern Italian army also has barracks. One cohort, wearing civilian garb, was always stationed at the Emperors house on the Palatine; others were often sent to foreign service. The Praetorians were under a prfectus praetorio, or more often two, sometimes even three prfecti. These were originally soldiers, but ultimately the office was mostly filled by lawyers, whose duty it was to relieve the Emperor in certain kinds of civil and criminal jurisdiction. One of Trajans rescripts to Pliny (Ep. 57) indicates that the proper course to take with a certain Bithynian prisoner is to hand him over in chains ad praefectos praetorii mei, and the case seems to be parallel to that of the Apostle, who made an appeal unto Caesar (Act 25:11; Act 25:21).
James Strahan.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Guard
The Scripture terms used in this connection mostly have reference to the special duties which the body-guard of a monarch had to perform. SEE KING.
1. Tabbach’, , originally signified a “cook;” and as butchering fell to the lot of the cook in Eastern countries, it gained the secondary sense of “executioner,” and is applied to the body-guard of the kings of Egypt (Gen 37:36) and Babylon (2Ki 25:8; Jer 39:9; Jer 40:1; Dan 2:14). So Potiphar, the master of Joseph, was captain of Pharaoh’s body-guard, i.e. chief executioner (Gen 39:1; Gen 41:10; Gen 41:12). In Egypt he had a public prison in his house (Gen 9:3-4). It is evident from Herodotus (ii, 165 sq.) that the kings of Egypt had a guard who, in addition to the regular income of the soldier, also received a separate salary. In the paintings of marches and battles on the monuments, these royal guards are commonly seen to be employed in protecting the person of the king, and are distinguished by peculiar dresses and weapons (Wilkinson, i, 337, 406). During the reign of the Ptolemies, who in general adhered to the usages of the ancient Egyptians, the office of the commander of the body-guard was a very important one. They possessed the confidence of the king, and were often employed in the most important business transactions. Finally, the super. intendence of the executions belonged to the most distinguished caste. In Babylon, Nebuzaradan, who held this office, commanded also a part of the royal army (Jer 39:13; Jer 52:15). SEE EXECUTIONER.
2. Rats, , properly means a courier, and is the ordinary term employed for the attendants of the Jewish kings, whose office it was to run before the chariot (2Sa 15:1; 1Ki 1:5), like the cursores of the Roman emperors (Seneca, Epist. 87, 126). That the Jewish “runners” superadded the ordinary duties of a military guard appears from several passages (1Sa 22:17; 2Ki 10:25; 2Ki 11:6; 2Ch 12:10). It was their office also to carry dispatches (2Ch 30:6). They had a guard- room set apart for their use in the king’s palace, in which their arms were kept ready for use (1Ki 14:28; 2Ch 12:11). SEE FOOTMAN. They were perhaps the same who, under David, were called Pelethites (1Ki 1:5; 1Ki 14:27; 2Sa 15:1). SEE PELETHITE.
3. The terms mishm’reth, , and mishmair’ , express properly the act of watching, or else a watch-station, but are occasionally transferred to the persons who kept watch (Neh 4:9; Neh 4:22; Neh 7:3; Neh 12:9; Job 7:12). The A.V. is probably correct in substituting mishmarto’ for the present reading in 2Sa 23:23, Benaiah being appointed “captain of the guard,” as Josephus (Ant. 7:14, 4) relates, and not privy councillor: the same error has crept into the text in 1Sa 22:14, where the words “which goeth at thy bidding” may originally have been “captain of the body-guard.” SEE CAPTAIN.
In New-Test. times we find the , for the Latin spiculator (rendered “executioner,” margin guard, Mar 6:27), properly a pike- man, halberdier, a kind of soldiers forming the body-guard of kings and princes, who also, according to Oriental custom, acted as executioners. The term , for the Latin custodia, i.e. custody, a “watch” or guard, is spoken of the Roman soldiers at the sepulchre of Jesus (Mat 27:65-66; Mat 28:11). The ordinary Roman guard consisted of four soldiers (, “quaternion”), of which there were four, corresponding to the four watches of the night, who relieved each other every three hours (Act 12:4; comp. Joh 19:23; Polyb. 6:33, 7). When in charge of a prisoner, two watched outside of the cell while the other two were inside (Act 12:6). The officer mentioned in Act 28:16 , “captain of the guard”) was perhaps the commander of the Praetorian troops, to whose care prisoners from the provinces were usually consigned (Pliny, Ep.x, 65). SEE WATCH.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Guard
(1.) Heb. tabbah (properly a “cook,” and in a secondary sense “executioner,” because this office fell to the lot of the cook in Eastern countries), the bodyguard of the kings of Egypt (Gen. 37:36) and Babylon (2 Kings 25:8; Jer. 40:1; Dan. 2:14).
(2.) Heb. rats, properly a “courier,” one whose office was to run before the king’s chariot (2 Sam. 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5). The couriers were also military guards (1 Sam. 22:17; 2 Kings 10:25). They were probably the same who under David were called Pelethites (1 Kings 14:27; 2 Sam. 15:1).
(3.) Heb. mishmereth, one who watches (Neh. 4:22), or a watch-station (7:3; 12:9; Job 7:12).
In the New Testament (Mark 6:27) the Authorized Version renders the Greek _spekulator_ by “executioner,” earlier English versions by “hangman,” the Revised Version by “soldier of his guard.” The word properly means a “pikeman” or “halberdier,” of whom the bodyguard of kings and princes was composed. In Matt. 27:65, 66; 28:11, the Authorized Version renders the Greek _kustodia_ by “watch,” and the Revised Version by “guard,” the Roman guard, which consisted of four soldiers, who were relieved every three hours (Acts 12:4). The “captain of the guard” mentioned Acts 28:16 was the commander of the Praetorian troops, whose duty it was to receive and take charge of all prisoners from the provinces.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Guard
tabbach. The king’s executioner, literally, cook (Gen 37:36, margrin; 2Ki 25:8; Dan 2:14). Rats (“the runner”) who carried dispatches (2Ch 30:6), and also acted as military guard to the Jewish kings (2Sa 15:1). Mishmereth (“watchmen”) (Neh 4:9; Neh 4:22).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Guard
GUARD.1. Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 rendering of (Lat. custodia), Mat 27:65-66; Mat 28:11, Authorized Version watch; obtained by the chief priests and Pharisees from Pilate to guard the sepulchre. The need of Pilates authorization and the risk of punishment from him (Mat 28:14) show that this guard must have consisted, not of the Jewish Temple police, but of soldiers from the Roman cohort at Jerusalem; possibly, though not probably, the same as had guarded the cross (, Mat 27:65, is probably imperative, have (take) a guard). A watch usually consisted of four men (Polyb. vi. 33), each of whom watched in turn, while the others rested beside him so as to be roused by the least alarm; but in this case the guards may have been more numerous.
2. A soldier of his [Herods] guard ( Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 translation of , Lat. speculator, Authorized Version executioner) beheaded John the Baptist, Mar 6:27. Speculatores were originally spies or scouts (from specula, a look-out); but we find them chiefly employed (a) as messengers or couriers, carrying official despatches; (b) as military executioners. A certain number were attached to each legion, besides others belonging to the Praetorian guard, who were closely attached to the Emperors person and ready for any special service. There are many examples in classical writers (e.g. Seneca, de Ira, i. ii. 4), Acts of Martyrs, and Rabbinic writings, of their employment as executioners; for reff. see Schrer, Wetstein, etc. The Herods had bodyguards (, , Josephus BJ i. xxxiii. 79, ii. xv. 1, etc.), and may have given them the Roman title of speculatores; or the word may here be used generally for an executioner. Herod sent some of his guards () to kill his son Antipater (Ant. xvii. vii. 1, BJ i. xxxiii. 7).
Literature.Schrer, HJP [Note: JP History of the Jewish People.] i. ii. 62f.; Benson, Cyprian, 505 n. [Note: note.] ; Golling in Hase and lkens Thes. Nov. ii. 405; Marquardt, Romische Staatsverwaltung, ii. pp. 420, 547.
Harold Smith.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Guard
gard: (1) , sar ha-tabbahm, captain of the guard, literally, slaughterers (Gen 37:36; Gen 39:1; Gen 40:3, Gen 40:1; Gen 41:10, Gen 41:12); , rabh tabbahm (2Ki 25:8, 2Ki 25:11, 2Ki 25:20; Jer 39:9, etc.); , rabh tabbahayyah (Dan 2:14); , racm, guard, the King James Version footmen (1Sa 22:17); sare ha-racm, chief of the guard the King James Version captains of the guard (1Ki 14:27); ta’ ha-racm, guard-chamber (1Ki 14:28; compare Eze 40:21, etc., where lodges are guardrooms; see A.B. Davidson at the place). (2) , mishmar, guard, a defense to a point of danger (Neh 4:22 f; Eze 38:7). (3) , mishmaath, guard (2Sa 23:23, where the American Revised Version, margin and the Revised Version, margin have council, the body over which Benaiah was set by David and whose functions were perhaps those of consultation). (4) , spekoulator, guard (Mar 6:27, a man of Herod’s guard, where, as in one or two other cases, Mark, writing for Romans, simply transliterates the Latin speculator a scout, an executioner, as in loc.). (5) , stratopedarches, captain of the guard the King James Version, captain of the praetorian guard the Revised Version, margin, Act 28:16. See CAPTAIN. (6) (, koustoda), watch the King James Version, guard the American Standard Revised Version and the Revised Version (British and American) (Mat 27:65, Mat 27:66; Mat 28:11).
1. Royal Body-Guard
An oriental monarch’s body-guard consisted of picked men attached to his person and ready to fulfill his pleasure in important and confidential concerns. At the courts of Egypt and Babylon the members of the guard were known as slaughterers, executioners (Gen 37:36 King James Version margin, the American Revised Version, margin and the Revised Version, margin, where Potiphar is called their captain); 2Ki 25:8, where Nebuzaradan is called their captain (King James Version margin chief marshal). Whether it had ever been the function of the body-guard to kill meat for the royal table there is little directly to show; that they acted as executioners can be well understood. In Israel they were known as the footmen (1Sa 22:17 the King James Version, the American Revised Version, margin and the Revised Version, margin runners) who acted as royal messengers or couriers from the time of Saul onward (2Ki 10:25; 2Ki 11:6); and this designation connects them with the couriers of the kings of Persia (Est 3:13, Est 3:15; Est 8:14, where our versions render posts, though the Hebrew is racm).
2. Composed of Foreigners
The men of the royal body-guard were usually foreigners like the janissaries of oriental monarchs down to modern times, who prefer to have around their persons warriors uninfluenced by family connection with the people of the land. Rameses II had such a body-guard whose commanders ranked with the great officers of the crown (Maspero, Struggle of the Nations, 766). David’s body-guard of 600, known also as the gibborm or mighty men, consisted of Cherethites, Pelethites, and Gittites (2Sa 15:18; 2Sa 20:23), and we read of Carites (2Ki 11:19), who may have been Carians or Cretans, as forming part of the guard at the coronation of King Jehoash.
3. Connection with the Temple
That this guard had duties in connection with the temple as well as the king’s house seems clear. That they were employed as slaughterers of the sacrifices before the Levites were entrusted with the office is unlikely, inasmuch as this guard is not said to have been composed of slaughterers but of runners. But they accompanied King Rehoboam when he visited the temple (1Ki 14:28), and to their captains were committed the shields of brass which took the place of the shields of gold which Solomon had hung up in the temple; Jehoiada employed their captains to put Athaliah to death and to exterminate the worshippers of Baal who had fled to the temple precincts (2Ki 11:4); the temple gate leading to the palace was called the gate of the guard (2Ki 11:19). At this time, and for this occasion, at least, the royal body-guard were the temple guards; and when Ezekiel drew up his plans for the temple which he conceived to replace the temple destroyed by Nebuchadrezzar, the lodges or little chambers were rooms for the accommodation of the temple guard (Eze 40:7, Eze 40:10, Eze 40:21, Eze 40:33, etc.).
Literature
Robertson Smith, OTJC, 262, and note.
.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Guard
1. mishmaath, from ‘obedience,’ a body-guard. 2Sa 23:23; 1Ch 11:25.
2. mishmar, a place where watch was kept. Neh 4:22-23; Eze 38:7.
3. ruts , ‘to run,’ runners, state couriers, who published edicts in the provinces, some of which would always be with the king. 1Ki 14:27-28; 2Ki 10:25; 2Ki 11:4-19; 2Ch 12:10-11.
4. tabbach, slaughterer, executioner, attached to the body-guard of the king Gen 37:36; Dan 2:14. This Hebrew word occurs in every other passage where the word ‘guard’ occurs.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Guard
See Watchman
Watchman