Reference: Ambassador
Easton
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word tsir, meaning "one who goes on an errand," is rendered thus (Jos 9:4; Pr 13:17; Isa 18:2; Jer 49:14; Ob 1:1). This is also the rendering of melits, meaning "an interpreter," in 2Ch 32:31; and of malak, a "messenger," in 2Ch 35:21; Isa 30:4; 33:7; Eze 17:15. This is the name used by the apostle as designating those who are appointed by God to declare his will (2Co 5:20; Eph 6:20).
The Hebrews on various occasions and for various purposes had recourse to the services of ambassadors, e.g., to contract alliances (Jos 9:4), to solicit favours (Nu 20:14), to remonstrate when wrong was done (Jg 11:12), to condole with a young king on the death of his father (2Sa 10:2), and to congratulate a king on his accession to the throne (1Ki 5:1).
To do injury to an ambassador was to insult the king who sent him (2Sa 10:5).
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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,
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,
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?"
Then said David, "I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me." And thereupon David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants over the death of his father. Now when David's servants were come into the land of the children of Ammon,
When it was told David he sent against them - for they were men exceedingly ashamed - and said, "Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return."
And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon, for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father. And thereto Hiram was ever a lover of David's.
But when the ambassadors of the lords of Babylon were sent to him to enquire of the wonder that chanced in the land, God left him: to tempt him, that all that was in his heart might be known.
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."
An ungodly messenger bringeth mischief; but a faithful ambassador is wholesome.
which sendeth her message over the sea in ships of reeds upon the water. Get ye hence, ye speedy messengers, to a nation that is scattered abroad and robbed of that they had: a fearful nation from their beginning hitherto; a nation trodden down by little and little, whose land the floods have spoiled.
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!"
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.
Fausets
Stands for two Hebrew words: malahch, "messenger," and tzeer, "ambassador." Israel's commanded isolation rendered embassies an infrequent occurrence; they were mere nuncios rather than plenipotentiaries. The earliest instances occur in the case of Edom, Moab, and the Amorites (Nu 20:14; 21:21). Gibeon feigned an ambassage (Jos 9:4). The ambassador's person was regarded as inviolable (2Sa 10:2-5; 12:26-31).
Men of high rank usually; as Sennacherib sent his chief captain, Chief cupbearer, and chief eunuch, Tartan, Rabsaris, Rabshakeh, whom Hezekiah's chief men of the kingdom, Eliakim over the household, Shebna the secretary, and Joab the recorder, met (2Ki 18:17-18; Isa 30:4; 33:7; compare Isa 18:2). Once in New Testament, "we are ambassadors for Christ" (2Co 5:20); treating with men "in Christ's stead": God "beseeching," and His ambassadors "praying" men to be reconciled to God. Majesty, faithfulness, yet withal tenderness, are implied. Our part is to send prayers, as our ambassage, to meet God's ambassadors, desiring His conditions of peace (Lu 14:32; Isa 27:5).
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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 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, "Thus sayeth thy brother Israel: Thou knowest all the travail that hath happened us,
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,
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 said David, "I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me." And thereupon David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants over the death of his father. Now when David's servants were come into the land of the children of Ammon,
Then said David, "I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me." And thereupon David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants over the death of his father. Now when David's servants were come into the land of the children of Ammon, the lords of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, "Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, because he hath sent to comfort thee? Nay, he hath rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city and to spy it out, even to overthrow it."
the lords of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, "Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, because he hath sent to comfort thee? Nay, he hath rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city and to spy it out, even to overthrow it." 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.
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. When it was told David he sent against them - for they were men exceedingly ashamed - and said, "Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return."
When it was told David he sent against them - for they were men exceedingly ashamed - and said, "Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return."
And as Joab fought against Rabbah, the city of the children of Ammon, he took the king's Tower,
And as Joab fought against Rabbah, the city of the children of Ammon, he took the king's Tower, and sent messengers to David, saying, "I have made assault to Rabbah, and also have taken the castle from whence they had their water.
and sent messengers to David, saying, "I have made assault to Rabbah, and also have taken the castle from whence they had their water. Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and come and besiege the city and take it: lest if I take it, the victory be ascribed to me."
Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and come and besiege the city and take it: lest if I take it, the victory be ascribed to me." And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah and assaulted it and gat it.
And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah and assaulted it and gat it. And he took the king's crown from off his head, which weighed a hundred weight of gold, and was set with precious stones. And David wore it on his head. And he brought out the spoil of the city in exceeding great abundance.
And he took the king's crown from off his head, which weighed a hundred weight of gold, and was set with precious stones. And David wore it on his head. And he brought out the spoil of the city in exceeding great abundance. And he brought out the people that was therein and sawed them and drew harrows of iron upon them, and shred some of them with shredding knives of iron, and thrust some into furnaces. And so he served all the cities of the children of Ammon. And then David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
And he brought out the people that was therein and sawed them and drew harrows of iron upon them, and shred some of them with shredding knives of iron, and thrust some into furnaces. And so he served all the cities of the children of Ammon. And then David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh, from Lachish, to king Hezekiah with a great Host to Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem, and went and stood by the conduit of the uppermost pool, which is in the way to the fuller's field,
And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh, from Lachish, to king Hezekiah with a great Host to Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem, and went and stood by the conduit of the uppermost pool, which is in the way to the fuller's field, and called to the king. And there came out to them, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah steward of household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.
and called to the king. And there came out to them, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah steward of household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.
which sendeth her message over the sea in ships of reeds upon the water. Get ye hence, ye speedy messengers, to a nation that is scattered abroad and robbed of that they had: a fearful nation from their beginning hitherto; a nation trodden down by little and little, whose land the floods have spoiled.
which sendeth her message over the sea in ships of reeds upon the water. Get ye hence, ye speedy messengers, to a nation that is scattered abroad and robbed of that they had: a fearful nation from their beginning hitherto; a nation trodden down by little and little, whose land the floods have spoiled.
Or who will enforce me to keep or make peace?
Or who will enforce me to keep or make peace?
or else while the other is yet a great way off, he will send ambassadors, and desire peace.
or else while the other is yet a great way off, he will send ambassadors, and desire peace.
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:
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:
Morish
There are three Hebrew words thus translated, signifying 'an interpreter,' 'a messenger.' They were not, as in modern times, residents in foreign lands, but were officers sent from one sovereign to another with any message of importance, or to negotiate matters of mutual interest. The men from Gibeon pretended to be ambassadors come from a distance to make an alliance with Israel. Jos 9:4. Ambassadors came from Babylon to visit Hezekiah, 2Ch 32:31; and from the king of Egypt to Josiah. 2Ch 35:21. Such persons represented the kings who sent them, and, whatever the message, were usually treated with due respect. David severely resented the insult offered to the messengers sent by him in kindness to Hanun, king of the children of Ammon. 2Sa 10:1-14. In 2 Sam. 9 the kindness of God was accepted; here kindness was rejected. In the N.T. the apostles were ambassadors for Christ to a guilty world, to beseech their hearers to be reconciled to God. 2Co 5:20; Eph 6:20; and judgement will fall on those who obey not the gospel. 2Th 1:8; 1Pe 4:17.
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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,
It happened, after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. Then said David, "I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me." And thereupon David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants over the death of his father. Now when David's servants were come into the land of the children of Ammon, read more. the lords of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, "Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, because he hath sent to comfort thee? Nay, he hath rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city and to spy it out, even to overthrow it." 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. When it was told David he sent against them - for they were men exceedingly ashamed - and said, "Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return." And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank unto David, they sent and hired the sons of Bethrehob of the Syrians of Zobah: twenty thousand footmen; and of king Maacah: a thousand men; and of Ishtob: twelve thousand men. And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of strong men. And the children of Ammon came out and waged battle before the gate, and the Syrians of Zobah, of Rehob, Ishtob and Maacah were by themselves in the fields. When Joab saw that the front of the battle was before and after, he chose of all the best of Israel and put them in array against the Syrians. And the rest of the people he delivered in the hand of Abishai his brother, which put them in array against the children of Ammon. And he said, "If the Syrians overcome me, then succor me. But if the children of Ammon be too good for thee, I will come and succor thee. Quite thee like a man, and let us fight lustily for our people and for the cities of our God. And the LORD do what seemeth best in his eyes." And forthwith Joab proceeded, and the people that was with him, into battle against the Syrians: which fled before him. And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. And so Joab returned from the children of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.
But when the ambassadors of the lords of Babylon were sent to him to enquire of the wonder that chanced in the land, God left him: to tempt him, that all that was in his heart might be known.
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."
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.
in flaming fire, rendering vengeance unto them that know not God, and to them that obey not unto the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Smith
Ambassador,
a person of high rank employed by a government to represent it and transact its business at the seat of government of some other power. The earliest examples of ambassadors employed occur in
afterwards in that of the fraudulent Gibeonites,
etc., and in the instances of civic strife mentioned
and Judg 20:12 Ambassadors are found to have been employed not only on occasions of hostile challenge or insolent menace,
but of friendly compliment, of request for alliance or other aid, of submissive deprecation and of curious inquiry.
2Ki 14:8; 16:7; 18:14; 2Ch 32:31
Ministers are called ambassadors of Christ.
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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,
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,
And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, "Did not ye hate me and expel me out of my father's house? How happeneth it then that you come unto me now in time of your tribulation?" And the elders of Gilead answered Jephthah, "Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabiters of Gilead." read more. And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, "If ye bring me home again, to fight with the children of Ammon, then if the LORD deliver them before me, I shall be your head." And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD be witness between us if we do not according to thy words." Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead. And the people made him head and ruler over them. And Jephthah rehearsed all his words in Mizpeh. 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 the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, "Because Israel took away my land, when they came out of Egypt, even from Arnon unto Jabbok and from thence unto Jordan, now therefore restore those lands again with fair means." And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the children of Ammon, and said unto him, "Thus sayeth Jephthah: Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon. But when Israel came out of Egypt, they walked through the wilderness, even unto the reed sea, and came to Kadesh, and sent messengers unto the king of Edom saying, 'Let us, we pray thee, go through thy land.' But the king of Edom would not agree thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab, but he would not consent. And so Israel abode still in Kadesh. And then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came along by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of the river of Arnon, and came not within the coasts of the Moabites: for Arnon was their utmost border. 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.'
And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin saying, "What wickedness is this that is happened among you?
Or else I will send my servants unto thee by tomorrow this time: and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants, which shall take all that is glorious in thine eyes, and bring it away with them.'"
After that, Amaziah sent messengers to Joash the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us see each other."
Then Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am thy servant and thy son, come and deliver me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which are risen against me."
Whereupon Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, "I have offended. But depart from me, and what thou puttest on me that I will bear." And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
Watsons
AMBASSADOR, a messenger sent by a sovereign, to transact affairs of great moment. Ministers of the Gospel are called ambassadors, because, in the name of Jesus Christ the King of kings, they declare his will to men, and propose the terms of their reconciliation to God, 2Co 5:20; Eph 6:20. Eliakim, Shebna, and Josh, the servants of king Hezekiah, were called "ambassadors of peace." In their master's name they earnestly solicited a peace from the Assyrian monarch, but were made "to weep bitterly" with the disappointment and refusal, Isa 33:7.
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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.