Bible Dictionaries
Ambassador

Holman Bible Dictionary

Representative of one royal court to another. According to the KJV, NAS, and NIV reading of Joshua 9:4 , the Gibeonites pretended to be official ambassadors from a foreign government as they approached Joshua. Compare NRSV. The king of Babylon sent official ambassadors to learn of Hezekiah's power (2 Chronicles 32:31 ). Pharaoh Necho sent ambassadors to prevent King Josiah of Judah (640-609) from joining in the battle at Megiddo, but Josiah persisted and died (2 Chronicles 35:21 ). Faithful ambassadors bring health to a nation (Proverbs 13:17 ). Isaiah condemned Israel for sending ambassadors to Egypt seeking military aid rather than seeking God's aid (Isaiah 30:4 ). While they suffered before God's announced salvation, the people lamented before God. This included ambassadors who had unsuccessfully worked for peace (Isaiah 33:7 ). Israel consistently relied on ambassadors to foreign lands rather than on Yahweh and His plan (Isaiah 57:9 ). Jeremiah announced that God had prompted an ambassador to call the nations to punish Edom (Jeremiah 49:14; compare Obadiah 1:1 ). Ezekiel condemned King Zedekiah (597-586 B.C.) for sending ambassadors to Egypt seeking help in rebelling against Babylon (Ezekiel 17:15 ).

Paul saw himself even in prison as an ambassador sent by the divine King to proclaim salvation through Christ to the world (Ephesians 6:20; compare 2 Corinthians 5:20 ).