Orator; Ortion
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Orator; Ortion in the Bible?
The noun 'orator' appears twice in the Bible: once translating the Hebrew lachash, which implies skill in incantation or enchantment, and once translating the Greek rhetor, referring to Tertullus, a professional advocate who presented charges against the Apostle Paul. The verb 'oration' appears once, describing the speech delivered by King Herod Agrippa I to the populace of Caesarea.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding these terms clarifies the legal and rhetorical dynamics in the New Testament, specifically the formal nature of Paul's defense before Felix and the political theater surrounding Herod's death, revealing how public persuasion functioned as a tool of power and justice in the biblical world.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.