the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Messenger
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (properly מִלְֹאָךְ, malak, (See MALACHI), ἄγγελος, both words often rendered angel [q.v.]; in a more general sense צַיר, ἀπόστολος, Proverbs 25:13; Isaiah 57:9, (See APOSTLE); in a special sense for forms of בָּשָׁר, to convey good news, (See GOSPEL), also vaguely for נָנִד, to tell; צַוָּה, to command). It is a practice in the East to employ messengers who run on foot to convey despatches (Job 1:14), and these men sometimes go a hundred and fifty miles in less than twenty-four hours. (See FOOTMAN). Such messengers were sent by Joab to acquaint David with the fate of his son Absalom. Ahimaaz went with such speed that he outran Cushi, and was the first to appear before the king, who sat at the gate of Mahanaim, anxiously awaiting tidings from the battle (2 Kings 9:18). The common pace of travelling in the East is very slow. Camels go little more than two miles an hour; but dromedaries are often used for the purpose of conveying messages in haste, especially to a distance, as they are said to outrun the swiftest horses. To this practice Job alludes when he says, "My days are swifter than a post" (Job 9:25). Instead of passing away with a slowness of motion like that of a caravan, my days of prosperity have disappeared with a swiftness like that of a messenger carrying despatches.
Messer, Asa, Dd., LLd.
a noted American educator and Baptist minister, was born in Methuen, Mass., in 1769. He studied at Brown University, where he graduated in 1790. The next year he became a tutor in that institution; a professor of languages in 1796. of mathematics and natural philosophy in 1799, and president in 1802, which latter position he held until 1826. Having been licensed in 1792, and ordained in 1801, he preached occasionally, both while professor and president, for congregations of different denominations. After retiring from the presidency, he was elected to several civil offices of trust by the citizens of Providence. He died Oct. II. 1836. Dr. Messer published a number of discourses and orations. See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 6:326.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Messenger'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/m/messenger.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
