Reference: Ambassador, Ambassage
Hastings
As diplomatic agents of sovereigns or other persons in high authority, ambassadors are frequently mentioned in OT and Apocrypha from the days of Moses (see below) to those of the Maccabees (1Ma 9:70; 1Ma 11:9; 1Ma 14:21; 1Ma 15:17). Insult to their persons was a sufficient casus belli (2Sa 10:4 ff.). In several passages (e.g. Nu 20:14; 21:21; De 2:26; Jg 11:12,19; 2Sa 5:11; 2Ki 19:9) the 'messengers' of English Version are practically 'ambassadors,' as the Heb. word is elsewhere rendered (2Ch 35:21; Isa 30:4; Eze 17:15). Jos 9:4, however, should be read as in Revised Version margin. The ambassador of Jer 49:14 (= Ob 1:1) is probably an angel. In NT the word is used only metaphorically (2Co 5:20; Eph 6:20).
'Ambassage,' the mission of an ambassador (2Ma 4:11 RV), is used also as a collective for ambassadors themselves (Lu 14:32; 19:14 RV). In 1Ma 14:23 read with RV 'the copy of their words.'
A. R. S. Kennedy.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, "Thus sayeth thy brother Israel: Thou knowest all the travail that hath happened us,
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,
Then I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying,
they played wilily, and went and sent ambassadors: and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles old and rent and knit together again,
Then Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, "What aileth thee with me that thou comest upon me to fight against my land?"
And then Israel sent messengers unto Sihon, king of the Amorites, and king of Heshbon, and said unto him, 'Let us pass through thy land unto our own country.'
Wherefore Hanun took David's servants and shaved off the one half of every man's beard and cut off their garments even in the middle, even hard by the buttocks of them and sent them away.
And the other sent messengers to him, saying, "What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I came not against thee now at this time, but against a house with whom I have war, and God bade me haste. Leave off therefore and meddle not with God, which is with me, lest he destroy thee."
For I am perfectly informed of the LORD, that he hath sent a message already unto the Heathen. Gather you together, and go forth against them: make you ready to the battle,
But he fell from him, and sent his Ambassadors into Egypt that he might have horses and much people. Should that prosper? Should he be kept safe, that doth such things? Or should he escape, that breaketh his covenant?
This is the vision that was showed unto Obadiah. Thus hath the LORD God spoken upon Edom: We have heard of the LORD that there is an ambassador sent among the Heathen: "Up, let us arise, and fight against them!"
or else while the other is yet a great way off, he will send ambassadors, and desire peace.
But his citizens hated him, and sent messengers after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us.'
Now then are we messengers in the room of Christ: even as though God did beseech you through us. So pray we you, in Christ's stead, that ye be at one with God:
whereof I am a messenger in bonds, that therein I may speak freely, as it becometh me to speak.