Runner
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( n.) A tool on which lenses are fastened in a group, for polishing or grinding.
(2): ( n.) A horizontal channel in a mold, through which the metal flows to the cavity formed by the pattern; also, the waste metal left in such a channel.
(3): ( n.) A movable slab or rubber used in grinding or polishing a surface of stone.
(4): ( n.) Any cursorial bird.
(5): ( n.) A food fish (Elagatis pinnulatus) of Florida and the West Indies; - called also skipjack, shoemaker, and yellowtail. The name alludes to its rapid successive leaps from the water.
(6): ( n.) The rotating stone of a set of millstones.
(7): ( n.) The movable piece to which the ribs of an umbrella are attached.
(8): ( n.) A trough or channel for leading molten metal from a furnace to a ladle, mold, or pig bed.
(9): ( n.) A slender trailing branch which takes root at the joints or end and there forms new plants, as in the strawberry and the common cinquefoil.
(10): ( n.) One employed to solicit patronage, as for a steamboat, hotel, shop, etc.
(11): ( n.) One of the pieces on which a sled or sleigh slides; also the part or blade of a skate which slides on the ice.
(12): ( n.) A messenger.
(13): ( n.) A detective.
(14): ( n.) One who, or that which, runs; a racer.
(15): ( n.) A rope rove through a block and used to increase the mechanical power of a tackle.
(16): ( n.) A smuggler.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
a word that does not occur in the A.V., although "running" frequently does (usually as a rendering of רוּוֹ , Ruts , Τρέχω ) . The Old Test. furnishes many illustrations of speed of foot. (See Footmen). We have a very curious specimen of the manners of the times, and a singular instance of Oriental or Jewish craft in Ahimaaz, who, it appears, was a professed runner — and a very swift one, too — which one would hardly have expected in the son of the high priest. It belongs, however, to a simple state of society that bodily powers of any kind should be highly valued, and exercised by the possessor of them in the most natural way (comp. Homer's favorite epithet of "Achilles swift of foot"). Ahimaaz was probably naturally swift, and so became famous for his running ( 2 Samuel 18:27). So we are told of Asahel, Joab's brother, that "he was as light of foot as a wild roe" (2:18). And that quick running was not deemed inconsistent with the utmost dignity and gravity of character appears from what we read of Elijah the Tishbite, that "he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab [who was in his chariot] to the entrance of Jezreel" ( 1 Kings 18:46). The kings of Israel had running footmen to precede them when they went in their chariots ( 2 Samuel 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5), and their guards were called רָצַי ם , Runners. It appears by 2 Chronicles 30:6; 2 Chronicles 30:10, that in Hezekiah's reign there was an establishment of running messengers, who were also called רָצַי ם . The same name is given to the Persian posts in Esther 3:13; Esther 3:15; Esther 8:14, though it appears from the latter passage that in the time of Xerxes the service was performed with mules and camels. The Greek name, borrowed from the Persian, was Ἄγγαροι . As regards Ahimaaz's craftiness, we read that when Absalom was killed by Joab and his armor bearers, Ahimaaz was very urgent with Joab to be employed as the messenger to run and carry the tidings to David. See a POST.
In the New Test. we have frequent reference to running, in the allusions to the Grecian races ( 1 Corinthians 9:24; ( Hebrews 12:1; comp. Psalms 19:5; Ecclesiastes 9:11). (See Game).
