Chancellor

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

A lay officer under a bishop, who is judge of his court. In the first ages of the church the bishops had those officers, who were called church lawyers, and were bred up in the knowledge of the civil and canon law: their business was to assist the bishop in his diocese.

We read of no chancellors till Henry the Second's time; but that the king requiring the attendance of the bishops in his councils, it was thought necessary to substitute chancellors in their room for the despatch of business.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ezra 4:8,9,17

Holman Bible Dictionary

Ezra 4:8-94:17

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

CHANCELLOR . See Beeltethmus and Rehum.

King James Dictionary

CHANCELLOR, n. Ordinally, a chief notary or scribe, under the Roman Emperors but in England, in later times, an officer invested with judicial powers, and particularly with the superintendence of all charters, letters and other official writings of the crown, that required to be solemnly authenticated. Hence this officer became the keeper of the great seal. From the Roman Empire, this office passed to the church, and hence every bishop has his chancellor.

The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Keeper of the Great Seal, is the highest officer of the crown. He is a privy counselor by his office, and prolocutor of the house of lords by prescription. To him belongs the appointment of all justices of the peace he is keeper of the kings conscience, visitor of all hospitals and colleges founded by the king, guardian of all charitable uses, and judge of the high court of chancery.

Chancellor of an Ecclesiastical Court, is the bishops lawyer, versed in the and canon law, to direct the bishop in causes of the church, and criminal.

Chancellor of a Cathedral, is an officer who hears lessons and lectures in the church, by himself or his vicar, inspects schools, hears causes, applies the seal, writes and dispatches letter of the chapter, keeps the books, &c.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, is an officer who presides in that court, and takes care of the interest of the crown. He has power, with the lord treasurer, to lease the crown lands, and with others, to compound for forfeitures on penal statutes. He has a great authority in managing the royal revenues, and in matters relating to the first fruits.

Chancellor of a University, is an officer who seals the diplomas, or letters of degree, &c. The chancellor of Oxford is usually one of the prime nobility, elected by the students in convocation, and he holds the office for life. He is the chief magistrate in the government of the university. The chancellor of Cambridge is also elected from among the prime nobility he does not hold his office for life, but may be elected every three years.

Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, and other military orders, is an officer who seals the commissions and mandates of the chapter and assembly of the knights, keeps the register of their proceedings, and delivers their acts under the seal of their order.

In France, a secretary is, in some cases, called a chancellor.

In the United States, a chancellor is the judge o a court of chancery or equity, established by statute.

In scripture, a mater of the decrees, or president of the council. Ezra 4 .

Morrish Bible Dictionary

The word in the original signifies 'master of counsel or decrees.' It was the title of a Persian officer. Ezra 4:8,9,17 .

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) A judicial court of chancery, which in England and in the United States is distinctively a court with equity jurisdiction.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

chan´sel -ẽr : The rendering in Ezra 4:8 , Ezra 4:9 , Ezra 4:17 of the Hebrew בּעל־טעם , be‛ēl ṭe‛ēm  ; Septuagint Βάαλ , Báal (Ezra 4:9 ), Βαλγάμ , Balgám (Ezra 4:17 ), the latter being an incorrect translation of Hebrew ע . In 1 Esdras 2:16, 25, Βεέλτεθμος , Beéltethmos (compare Ezra 4:8 ) occurs as a corruption, doubtless of בּעל־טעם , be‛ēl ṭe‛ēm ̌ . The term in question designates an Assyrian office, namely, that of the "master or lord of official intelligence," or "postmaster" (Sayce).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(בְּעֵלאּטְעֵם, beë l´-teë m´; Sept. Βαλτάμ and Βαλτάν ). The original word signifies a commander, or lord of the edicts or causes; it was the Chaldee title of the Persian governor at Samaria, but is rendered in our version "chancellor" (Ezra 4:8-9; Ezra 4:17).

(Cancellarius), a lay officer who is judge in a bishop's court, under his authority. "In ancient times bishops had jurisdiction in particular causes, as in marriages, adultery, last wills, etc., which were determined by them in their consistory courts. But when many controversies arose in these and other causes, it was not consistent with the character of a bishop to interpose in every litigious matter, and it became necessary for the bishop to depute some subordinate officer, experienced both in the civil and canon law, to determine those ecclesiastical causes, and this was the original of diocesan chancellors. Henry II of England, requiring the attendance of bishops in his state councils, and other public affairs, it was thought necessary to substitute chancellors in their room, to dispatch those causes which were proper to the bishop's jurisdiction. In a few years a chancellor became such a necessary officer to the bishop that he was not to be without him; for if he would have none, the archbishop of the province might enjoin him to depute one, and if he refused, the archbishop might appoint one himself. The person thus deputed by the bishop has his authority from the law, and his jurisdiction is not, like that of a commissary, limited to a certain place and certain causes, but extends throughout the whole diocese, and to all ecclesiastical matters; not only for reformation of manners, in punishment of criminals, but in all causes concerning marriages, last wills, administrations, etc." (Hook, Church Dictionary, s.v.). In England the chancellor presides in the bishop's court; and is called his vicar-general, as being clothed with the bishop's authority. In Ireland the chancellor has no ecclesiastical jurisdiction, all matters pertaining to his office being executed by a distinct officer, called the vicar- general. — Bingham, Orig. Ecclesiastes bk. 2, ch. 7, § 5; Marsden, Churches and Sects, 331.