Messenger

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Messenger —The word is formed from ‘message’ with intrusive nasal. It is used as the equivalent of ἄγγελος in its primary meaning of one sent on a message or to make an announcement. So it occurs frequently in the OT (representing מֵלְאָךְ of Heb. and ἄγγελος of LXX Septuagint), and in the Gospels in  Luke 7:24;  Luke 9:52. It is to be observed, however, that in ‘messenger’ the emphasis is on the sending or mission, while in ἄγγελος it is on the message or proclamation. Philologically a truer equivalent is ἀπόστολος; and accordingly in two instances ( 2 Corinthians 8:23,  Philippians 2:25), where missionary preachers are so described and where some special mission is in view, the latter is the Greek term used.

1. Towards the close of the OT the term seems to have acquired the meaning of a special or inspired teacher. Thus in  Haggai 1:13 the prophet styles himself ‘messenger’ as the bearer of Jehovah’s message. A similar meaning is at least probable in  Job 33:23. And this usage is in some degree paralleled in the modern tendency to seek a definite ‘message’ in the literary works of distinguished poets and thinkers. The most important use of the term is in Malachi, a prophet whose name [if מַלְאָכִי be, indeed, his name  ; cf.  Malachi 1:1 and the Comm. ad loc. ] means ‘my messenger.’ He uses the term three times and in three applications. First, it is a designation of the true priest, whose work is to conserve spiritual knowledge and teach the law of God ( Malachi 2:7). Secondly and thirdly, in  Malachi 3:1 it is applied to a forerunner, and to the ‘messenger of the covenant,’ who seems to be identical with the Person styled ‘the Lord whom you seek.’ These two applications are in the NT interpreted of the Baptist and the Messiah respectively. The words of the prophet with reference to the forerunner are with a change of pronoun (‘thee’ for ‘me’) repeated in identical form in each of the Synoptics ( Mark 1:2,  Matthew 11:10,  Luke 7:27). In these quotations, as in  Luke 9:52, the messenger is one sent before to proclaim or to prepare. The direct application of the term to Jesus is not made in the NT, though a kindred idea is frequently expressed: in the saying which occurs in all the Gospels, ‘He that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me’ ( Matthew 10:40,  Mark 9:37,  Luke 9:48;  Luke 10:15,  John 13:20;  John 12:44); in the frequent Johannine phrase ‘whom God hath sent,’ and in the commission ( John 20:21); and even in the term ‘gospel’ (εὐαγγέλιον), which is expressive of what Jesus described Himself as anointed of God and sent to preach ( Luke 4:18). The conceptions of Christ as the Revealer of the Father and the incarnate Word are also kindred; and it might be argued that the language of Malachi was in the mind of the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews in  Hebrews 1:2;  Hebrews 3:1;  Hebrews 7:22 and throughout.

R. Scott.

2. In  Hebrews 6:20 our Lord is spoken of as our Forerunner (πρόδρομος) ‘within the veil.’ This is the only place in the NT where the title is used. A πρόδρομος (in the literal sense) was a messenger sent in front of the main army to examine the ground, clear the front of obstacles, or notify the presence of an enemy to the main body advancing behind ( i.e. a scout, light-armed soldier, or spy). Here it is connected with the priestly work of our Lord. He has entered within the veil ‘for us,’ as our ‘high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, i.e. in our interest, namely, to obtain pardon for us ( Hebrews 9:12), to represent us in the presence of God ( Hebrews 9:24), and to open up for us an entrance into heaven itself ( Hebrews 10:19)’ (Lünemann in Meyer’s Com. ). Probably, however, the military connotation is not to be entirely ignored. Just as an army advances securely under cover of its scouts far in front, so the army of believers moves on through the valley of the shadow of death without fear, knowing that our great Forerunner is in front. He has encountered and conquered death for us, so that we have no need to fear anything. This thought is beautifully elaborated from another point of view in  John 14:2-3. When Jesus came back for a moment from the silent land, it was not with an air of terror or defeat, but as a conqueror, crying ‘All hail!’ ( Matthew 28:9). There is nothing to fear in the Beyond whither Jesus has gone before us ‘to prepare a place for us.’

E. Griffith-Jones.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

There would have required no notice of the office of a messenger, by way of explaining the nature of it, being perfectly well understood, and it not been that our Lord Jesus Christ, when becoming our Redeemer, condescended to submit to this office also; but as the Lord Jesus, in his unequalled humility, vouchsafed to be the servant and messenger of Jehovah every motive of affection and duty demands our attention to behold Jesus in this most gracious character. The reader will have a better apprehension of the title when he is told that the same word translated messenger is also translated angel. This in  Malachi 3:1 it might be read, the angel of the covenant. In like manner prophets, teachers, and ambassadors, are not unfrequently called messengers. ( Malachi 2:7;  2 Kings 16:7) The infinite graciousness and condescension of the Lord Jesus in this character, serves therefore to recommend and endear him yet more to our heart; and blessedly Jesus speaks of it to his disciples. "Whosoever will be great among you, (saith that humble Lord) let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." ( Matthew 10:27-28) And it is most blessed indeed, to behold the Lord of life and glory thus engaged in all offices, and filling all characters, relating to his mediatorship. He is the all in all of the whole covenant. At the call of his Father, he stood up from everlasting, the Head of his church and people, that he might fill all things. Hence to him the covenant of redemption was given; by him the whole covenant was fulfilled; in his almighty hand all the blessings resulting from the covenant are placed; and from him all must flow, in grace here, and glory hereafter, to his whole body the church. So that Jesus appears most lovely and engaging as JEHOVAH'S covenant in the full, and as the Surety of it, the Messenger of it, the Fulfiller of it, and the Administrator of it, both in time and to all eternity. Hail, almighty Messenger of thine own and thy Father's will to mankind, "thou Messenger and Interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man JEHOVAH'S uprightness! Be thou all my salvation, and all my desire; for thou hast made and finished thine everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure."

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ἄγγελος (Strong'S #32 — Noun Masculine — angelos — ang'-el-os )

"a messenger, an angel, one sent," is translated "messenger," of John the Baptist,  Matthew 11:10;  Mark 1:2;  Luke 7:27; in the plural, of John's "messengers,"  Luke 7:24; of those whom Christ sent before Him when on His journey to Jerusalem,  Luke 9:52; of Paul's "thorn in the flesh," "a messenger of Satan,"  2—Corinthians 12:7; of the spies as received by Rahab,  James 2:25 . See Angel.

2: Ἀπόστολος (Strong'S #652 — Noun Masculine — apostolos — ap-os'-tol-os )

"an apostle," is translated "messengers" in  2—Corinthians 8:23 regarding Titus and "the other brethren," whom Paul describes to the church at Corinth as "messengers of the churches," in respect of offerings from those in Macedonia for the needy in Judea; in   Philippians 2:25 , of Epaphroditus as the "messenger" of the church at Philippi to the Apostle in ministering to his need; RV marg. in each case, "apostle." See Apostle.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 32:3 32:6 Numbers 20:14 Numbers 24:12 Deuteronomy 2:26 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 Isaiah 44:26 Haggai 1:13 Malachi 2:7 Luke 9:52 Malachi 3:1  Matthew 11:10 Mark 1:2 Luke 7:27Herald

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) A person appointed to perform certain ministerial duties under bankrupt and insolvent laws, such as to take charge og the estate of the bankrupt or insolvent.

(2): ( n.) One who bears a message; the bearer of a verbal or written communication, notice, or invitation, from one person to another, or to a public body; specifically, an office servant who bears messages.

(3): ( n.) One who, or that which, foreshows, or foretells.

(4): ( n.) A hawser passed round the capstan, and having its two ends lashed together to form an endless rope or chain; - formerly used for heaving in the cable.

King James Dictionary

MES'SENGER, n.

1. One who bears a message or an errand the bearer of a verbal or written communication, notice or invitation from one person to another, or to a public body one who conveys dispatches from one prince or court to another. 2. A harbinger a forerunner he or that which foreshows.

You gray lines

That fret the clouds, are messengers of day.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Job 1:14 1 Samuel 11:7 2 Chronicles 36:22 2 Kings 9:18

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(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.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mes´en - jẽr  : The regular Hebrew word for "messenger" is מלאך , mal'ākh , the Greek ἄγγελος , ággelos . This may be a human messenger or a messenger of God, an angel. The context must decide the right translation. In   Haggai 1:13 the prophet is called God's messenger;   Job 33:23 changes the King James Version to "angel" (margin "messenger"); and   Malachi 3:1 margin, suggests "angel" instead of "messenger."   Malachi 2:7 and   Malachi 3:1 (twice) have caused a great deal of comment. See Malachi . The Greek ἀπόστολος , apóstolos , "apostle," is rendered "messenger" in  2 Corinthians 8:23;  Philippians 2:25;  1 Samuel 4:17 translations literally, from Hebrew בּשׂר , bāsar , "to tell good news," "he that brought the tidings."  Genesis 50:16 reads "message" instead of "messenger."