Bible Dictionary
Chancellor
A chancellor was an official exercising judicial or administrative authority, particularly the Persian officer mentioned in the opposition to rebuilding Jerusalem.
Definition
A chancellor was an official with judicial or administrative authority. The title literally signifies a lord or master of judgment or official intelligence. In the biblical record it designates the Persian official associated with the opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Biblical Usage
The chancellor is mentioned in the account of opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and is associated with the Persian governor of Samaria.
Historical Background
The Hebrew title is understood as an Assyrian office meaning master or lord of official intelligence, or postmaster. The Greek forms in 1 Esdras are regarded as corruptions of the corresponding title in Ezra.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
One who has judicial authority, literally, a “lord of judgement;” a title given to the Persian governor of Samaria (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>chan'-sel-er: The rendering in Ezr 4:8,9,17 of the Hebrew be`el Te`em; Septuagint Baal (4:9), Balgam (4:17), the latter being an incorrect translation of Hebrew `ayin. In 1 Esdras 2:16,25, Beeltethmos (compare Ezr 4:8) occurs as a corruption, doubtless of be`el Te`em. The term in question designates an Assyrian office, namely, that of the "master or lord of official intelligence," or "postmaster" (Sayce).</p>