- GUARD (1.) Hebrews tabbah (properly a “cook,” and in a secondary
sense “executioner,” because this office fell to the lot of the cook in
Eastern countries), the bodyguard of the kings of Egypt (Genesis 37:36)
and Babylon (2 Kings 25:8; Jeremiah 40:1; Daniel 2:14).
(2.) Hebrews rats, properly a “courier,” one whose office was to run
before the king’s chariot (2 Samuel 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5). The couriers were
also military guards (1 Samuel 22:17; 2 Kings 10:25). They were probably
the same who under David were called Pelethites (1 Kings 14:27; 2 Samuel
15:1).
(3.) Hebrews mishmereth, one who watches (Nehemiah 4:22), or a
watch-station (7:3; 12:9; Job 7:12).
In the New Testament (Mark 6:27) the Authorized Version renders the
Greek spekulator by “executioner,” earlier English versions by “hangman,”
the Revised Version by “soldier of his guard.” The word properly means a
“pikeman” or “halberdier,” of whom the bodyguard of kings and princes
was composed. In Matthew 27:65, 66; 28:11, the Authorized Version
renders the Greek kustodia by “watch,” and the Revised Version by
“guard,” the Roman guard, which consisted of four soldiers, who were
relieved every three hours (Acts 12:4). The “captain of the guard”
mentioned Acts 28:16 was the commander of the Praetorian troops, whose
duty it was to receive and take charge of all prisoners from the provinces.