Executioner
Bible Usage:
- execution used once.
- executioner used once.
- Bible Reference: Mark 6:27
Dictionaries:
- Included in Eastons: Yes
- Included in Hitchcocks: No
- Included in Naves: Yes
- Included in Smiths: Yes
- Included in Websters: Yes
- Included in Strongs: Yes
- Included in Thayers: Yes
- Included in BDB: No
Strongs Concordance:
- G4688 Used 1 time
(Mark 6:27). Instead of the Greek word, Mark here uses a Latin word, speculator, which literally means "a scout," "a spy," and at length came to denote one of the armed bodyguard of the emperor. Herod Antipas, in imitation of the emperor, had in attendance on him a company of speculatores. They were sometimes employed as executioners, but this was a mere accident of their office. (See MARK, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO.)
General references
Genesis 37:36; Proverbs 16:14; Jeremiah 39:9; Daniel 2:14; Matthew 14:10
Punishment
The post of executioner was one of high dignity. Potiphar was "captain of the executioners." (Genesis 37:36) see margin. That the "captain of the guard" himself occasionally performed the duty of an executioner appears from (1 Kings 2:25,34)
EXECU'TIONER, noun One who executes; one who carries into effect a judgment of death; one who inflicts a capital punishment in pursuance of a legal warrant. It is chiefly used in this sense.
1. He that kills; he that murders.
2. The instrument by which any thing is performed.