Kings, Rulers.
Kings, Rulers.
The Hebrew words translated king and kingdom in the A. V. are connected with the root Malac (, Ass. malaku), which appears in various proper names, suc has Ebed-Melech and Milcom. The verb is generally rendered reign (in Eze 20:33, rule).
Another word largely used in the same sense is Mashal (, Ass. masalu), which refers not so much to the office as to the government which that office implies. It is generally rendered rule, sometimes reign or dominion, and occasionally govern, as in Gen 1:18, where the heavenly bodies are described as governing the day and the night.
Shalath (, Ass. saladhu), to get the mastery, is used with much force in Psa 119:133, ‘Let not any iniquity have dominion over me’ It is also rendered ‘dominion’ nine times in Daniel, and ‘rule’ fourteen times in the same book. this word is used of Joseph when he is described as ‘the govern or of Egypt’ (Gen 42:6). Sheleth, which is derived from it, signifies a shield, and is rendered ruler in Hos 4:18; and Sholtan (Ass. sildhannu), which reminds us of the modern word Sultan, is rendered dominion in Dan 4:3, &c.
Nagid (), a leader or guide, is generally translated prince or captain, and is used of a ruler several times, especially in the Books of Chronicles. See Isa 55:4; Dan 9:26; Dan 11:22.
Pechah (, Ass. pikhu), a satrap or pasha, is used for a govern or chiefly in the later historical books, also in Hag 1:1; Hag 1:14; Hag 2:2; Hag 2:21, and Mal 1:8.
Sar (, Ass. sarru, ‘king’), a ‘chief captain’ in the army, is the title given to the ‘captain of the Lord’s hosts’ in Jos 5:14-15. It is applied to judges or rulers of the tribes (Exo 18:21), who are usually called princes in the A. V in the later hooks. It is used of government in Psa 68:27; Isa 1:23; Isa 32:1; Jer 1:18; Jer 52:10; also in Isa 9:6-7, where the Messiah is called ‘the prince of peace,’ end ‘the government shall be up on his shoulders . and of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.’ The Messiah is also called the prince (Sar) in Dan 8:11; Dan 8:25; Dan 10:13; Dan 10:21; Dan 12:1.
Baal (, Ass. bilu), to be lord, husband, or master, is used of having dominion in 1Ch 4:22 and Isa 26:13 (‘Other lords beside thee have had dominion over us’). this word is found in the remarkable declaration in Isa 54:5, ‘Thy Maker is thy husband.’ See Hos 2:16.
Yad (Ass. idu), the hand, or instrument of power, is used of lordship in 1Ch 18:3 and 2Ch 21:8 in Gen 27:40 (‘When thou shalt have the dominion’) a word () is used the meaning of which is uncertain, but the cognate word Radah (, Ass. radu) is frequently used for rule. It also occurs in Jer 2:31 and Hos 11:12.
In Job 38:33 (‘Canst thou set the dominion there of in the earth ?’) the word used is supposed to signify rule or empire, and to be connected with the name of the officer or overseer, Shoter (, Ass. sadhir: ‘writer’), of whom we read in Exo 5:6; Deu 1:15; Deu 16:18; 1Ch 26:29; and Pro 6:7.
Nashak (), to kiss, whether as a mark of respect (Psa 2:12) or otherwise, is rendered rule in Gen 41:40, where the margin has ‘be armed or kiss’ (see R. V.). The word is sometimes applied to armour because it fits closely and is folded together, it is also applied to the wings of the living creatures which touched one another (Eze 3:13).
In Pro 25:28 (‘He that hath no rule over his own spirit’) the word () signifies self-restraint in 2Ki 25:22 and 1Ch 26:32 we find the word pakad (, Ass. paqadu), to visit or superintend; in Deu 1:13, rosh (, Ass. risu), the head; in Isa 1:10; Isa 3:6-7; Isa 22:3, Kats in (), a captain; in Jdg 5:3, Psa 2:2, and four other passages, the rulers or princes arc described by a word which perhaps answers to august (). Alaph (), to lead or teach, is used in Zec 9:7; Zec 12:5-6; and Chavash (), to bind (usually for the purpose of hearing), in Job 34:17. Nachah (), to lead, occurs in Psa 67:4; and Chakak (), to decree (lit. to engrave, as in Job 19:24, Isa 22:16; Isa 49:16), is rendered govern or in Jdg 5:9; Jdg 5:14. Compare Gen 49:10 (lawgiver). Nasi (), a captain or prince (lit. one who bears responsibility, or who holds aloft an ensign), is often used of God’s leading his people, and is rendered ruler or govern or a few times in the Pentateuch and in 2Ch 1:2.