ambassador Summary and Overview

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word "tsir", meaning "one who goes on an errand," is rendered thus (Josh. 9:4; Prov. 13:17; Isa. 18:2; Jer. 49:14; Obad. 1:1). This is also the rendering of "melits", meaning "an interpreter," in 2 Chr. 32:31; and of "malak", a "messenger," in 2 Chr. 35:21; Isa. 30:4; 33:7; Ezek. 17:15. This is the name used by the apostle as designating those who are appointed by God to declare his will (2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 6:20). The Hebrews on various occasions and for various purposes had recourse to the services of ambassadors, e.g., to contract alliances (Josh. 9:4), to solicit favours (Num. 20:14), to remonstrate when wrong was done (Judg. 11:12), to condole with a young king on the death of his father (2 Sam. 10:2), and to congratulate a king on his accession to the throne (1 Kings 5:1). To do injury to an ambassador was to insult the king who sent him (2 Sam. 10:5).

a person of high rank employed by a government to represent it and transact its business at the seat of government of some other power. The earliest examples of ambassadors employed occur in #Nu 20:14; 21:21, Jud 11:7-19| afterwards in that of the fraudulent Gibeonites, #Jos 9:4| etc., and in the instances of civic strife mentioned #Jud 11:12| and Judg 20:12 Ambassadors are found to have been employed not only on occasions of hostile challenge or insolent menace, #1Ki 20:2,6; 2Ki 14:8| but of friendly compliment, of request for alliance or other aid, of submissive deprecation and of curious inquiry. #2Ki 14:8; 16:7; 18:14; 2Ch 32:31| Ministers are called ambassadors of Christ.

AMBAS'SADOR , a person of the highest rank, appointed to represent his government in the transaction of business with a foreign power. The earliest mention in the Bible is in the case of the Edomites, Num 20:14, to whom Moses sent "messengers," also in the case of Moab, the Amorites, the Gibeonites, and other tribes. See Num 21:21;Josh 9:4; Jud 11:17-19. In the days of the kingdoms they are more frequently mentioned. An injury upon them was an insult to their king. 2 Sam 10:5. Their mission was often pacific or congratulatory, as in the latter incident. Paul calls gospel-preachers the ambassadors of Christ. 2 Cor 5:20.

Stands for two Hebrew words: malahch, "messenger," and tzeer, "ambassador." Israel's commanded isolation rendered embassies an infrequent occurrence; they were mere nuncios rather than plenipotentiaries. The earliest instances occur in the case of Edom, Moab, and the Amorites (Numbers 20:14; Numbers 21:21). Gibeon feigned an ambassage (Joshua 9:4). The ambassador's person was regarded as inviolable (2 Samuel 10:2-5; 2 Samuel 12:26-31). Men of high rank usually; as Sennacherib sent his chief captain, Chief cupbearer, and chief eunuch, Tartan, Rabsaris, Rabshakeh, whom Hezekiah's chief men of the kingdom, Eliakim over the household, Shebna the secretary, and Joab the recorder, met (2 Kings 18:17-18; Isaiah 30:4; Isaiah 33:7; compare Isaiah 18:2). Once in New Testament, "we are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20); treating with men "in Christ's stead": God "beseeching," and His ambassadors "praying" men to be reconciled to God. Majesty, faithfulness, yet withal tenderness, are implied. Our part is to send prayers, as our ambassage, to meet God's ambassadors, desiring His conditions of peace (Luke 14:32; Isaiah 27:5).