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…” (Gen. 2:16). In this case, the word does not contain the content of the action but
focuses on the action itself One of the recurring formulas in the Bible is “X did all that Y
commanded him”—e.g., Ruth “did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her”
(Ruth 3:6). This means that she carried out Naomi’s “orders.” A similar formula, “X did
just as Y commanded,” is first found in Num. 32:25, where the sons of Reuben and Gad
say to Moses that they “will do as my lord commandeth.” These formulas indicate the
accomplishment of, or the intention to accomplish, the “orders” of a superior.
The verb
(
can be used of a commission or charge, such as the act of
“commanding,” “telling,” or “sending” someone to do a particular task. In Gen. 32:4,
Jacob “commissioned” his servants to deliver a particular message to his brother Esau.
They acted as his emissaries. Jacob commissioned (literally, “commanded”) his sons to
bury him in the cave of Machpelah (Gen. 49:30), and then he died. This “command”
constituted a last will and testament— an obligation or duty. The verb again indicates,
therefore, appointing someone to be one’s emissary.
The most frequent subject of this verb is God. However, He is not to be questioned or
“commanded” to explain the work of His hands (Isa. 45:11). He tells Israel that His
“commands” are unique, requiring an inner commitment and not just external obedience,
as the commands of men do (Gen. 29:13). His “ordering” is given to Moses from above
the mercy seat (Exod. 25:22) and from His “commands” at Sinai (Lev. 7:38; cf. 17:1ff.).
At other times when He “commands,” the thing simply occurs; His word is active and
powerful (Ps. 33:9). He also issues “orders” through and to the prophets (Jer. 27:4) who
explain, apply, and speak His “commands” (Jer. 1:17).
COMMANDER
(
*
, 8269), “official; leader; commander; captain; chief; prince; ruler.” This
word, which has an Akkadian cognate, appears about 420 times in biblical Hebrew. The
word is often applied to certain non-lsraelite “officials or representatives of the king.”
This meaning appears in Gen. 12:15, its first biblical appearance: “The
also of
Pharaoh saw her [Sarah], and commended her before Pharaoh.…” In other contexts
represents “men who clearly have responsibility over others”; they are “rulers or
chieftains.”
-
may mean simply a “leader” of a profession, a group, or a district, as
Phichol was the “commander” of Abimelech’s army (Gen. 21:22) and Potiphar was “an
officer of Pharaoh’s and captain of the [body]guard” (Gen. 37:36). In such usage, “chief”
means “head official” (cf. Gen. 40:2).
-
(plural) were “honored men” (Isa. 23:8).
-
is used of certain “notable men” within Israel. When Abner was killed by Joab,
David said to his servants (palace officials), “Know ye not that there is a prince and a
great man fallen this day in Israel?” (2 Sam. 3:38; cf. Num. 21:18). Joab, Abishai, and
Ittai were “commanders” in David’s army (cf. 2 Sam. 23:19). “Local leaders in Israel”
are also called
&
“And the
of Succoth said …” (Judg. 8:6).
In several passages,
refers to the task of “ruling.” Moses tried to break up a fight
between two Hebrews and one of them asked him, “Who made thee a prince and a judge
over us?” (Exod. 2:14). In such a context,
means “leader,” “ruler,” and “judge”:
“Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of