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
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: "Thus says your brother Israel: 'You know all the hardships we have experienced,
Then I sent messengers from the Kedemoth Desert to King Sihon of Heshbon with an offer of peace:
they did something clever. They collected some provisions and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched.
Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king, saying, "Why have you come against me to attack my land?"
Israel sent messengers to King Sihon, the Amorite king who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, "Please allow us to pass through your land to our land."
So Hanun seized David's servants and shaved off half of each one's beard. He cut the lower part of their robes off so that their buttocks were exposed, and then sent them away.
Necho sent messengers to him, saying, "Why are you opposing me, O king of Judah? I am not attacking you today, but the kingdom with which I am at war. God told me to hurry. Stop opposing God, who is with me, or else he will destroy you."
I said, "I have heard a message from the Lord. A messenger has been sent among the nations to say, 'Gather your armies and march out against her! Prepare to do battle with her!'"
But this one from Israel's royal family rebelled against the king of Babylon by sending his emissaries to Egypt to obtain horses and a large army. Will he prosper? Will the one doing these things escape? Can he break the covenant and escape?
We have heard a report from the Lord. An envoy was sent among the nations, saying, "Arise! Let us make war against Edom!"
If he cannot succeed, he will send a representative while the other is still a long way off and ask for terms of peace.
But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to be king over us!'
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!"
for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.