Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, November 5th, 2024
the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Bible Dictionaries
Praetor

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Power Powers
Next Entry
Praetorian Guard
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

In origin this word means ‘the man who goes before (the army),’ prae-itor, ‘the general,’ and was applied to the chief magistrates of Rome, when the kingdom gave place to the republic. On the appointment (367 b.c.) of two extra officials to look after the legal business of the Roman State, the name praetor was given to them, and a new name consul was given to the chief magistrates. The same Greek equivalent, στρατηγός (‘general’), was used for praetor always, though the duties had changed. The praetors of Acts 16:20 ff. are the chief magistrates of Philippi, a Roman colonia. It is not impossible that praetores was their official title, but it is generally believed that in their case it was merely honorary (see under Magistrate). See W. M. Ramsay in JThSt_ i. [1899-1900] 114 ff.

A. Souter.

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Praetor'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdn/​p/praetor.html. 1906-1918.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile