UBS Greek Dictionary Article

Form 1

Part of speech: noun, m.

Inflections: σπεκουλάτωρ; -ορος

Sense 1: courier, messenger

Semantic entry: 33.196

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Inform, Announce

Definition: a soldier who acts as a courier to carry confidential information

Notes: In OET MRK 6:27 σπεκουλάτωρ may also have the meaning of ‘executioner’ (see 20.70: σπεκουλάτωρ).

Show passage in OET: MRK 6:27

OET-RV MRK 6:27

27 So he ordered an executioner to go out and return with Yohan’s head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison

OET-LV MRK 6:27

27 And immediately the king having _sent _out an_executioner, commanded to _bring the head of _him.
And having _gone _away, he _beheaded him in the prison,

Jump to OET MRK 6:27 section.

Sense 2: executioner

Semantic entry: 20.70

Semantic domains: Violence, Harm, Destroy, Kill

Subdomains: Kill

Definition: one who carries out official executions on the basis of orders from military or government officials

Notes: It is also possible to interpret σπεκουλάτωρ (a borrowing from Latin) as meaning ‘courier,’ possibly a soldier who had special duties to carry messages of a confidential nature (see 33.196: σπεκουλάτωρ).