Sergeant (-s) - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Sergeant (-s)

[ 1,,G4465, rhabdouchos ]
a rod bearer" (rhabdos, "a rod," echo, "to hold"), one who carries a staff of office, was, firstly, an umpire or judge, later, a Roman lictor, Acts 16:35, Acts 16:38. The duty of these officials was to attend Roman magistrates to execute their orders, especially administering punishment by scourging or beheading; they carried as their sign of office the fasces (whence "Fascist"), a bundle of rods with an axe inserted. At Philippi they acted under the strategoi or pretors (See MAGISTRATE, No. 1.)

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words