A public civil officer invested with authority. The Hebrew shophetim, or judges, were magistrates having authority in the land (Deuteronomy 1:16,17). In Judges 18:7 the word "magistrate" (A.V.) is rendered in the Revised Version "possessing authority", i.e., having power to do them harm by invasion. In the time of (Ezra 9:2) and (Nehemiah 2:16; 4:14; 13:11) the Jewish magistrates were called Seganim , Properly meaning "nobles." In the New Testament the Greek word Archon , Rendered "magistrate" (Luke 12:58; Titus 3:1), means one first in power, and hence a prince, as in Matt Matthew 2:6,8. This term is used of the Messiah, "Prince of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5). In Acts 16:20,22,35,36,38, the Greek term Strategos , Rendered "magistrate," properly signifies the leader of an army, a general, one having military authority. The Strategoi were the duumviri, the two praetors appointed to preside over the administration of justice in the colonies of the Romans. They were attended by the sergeants (properly lictors or "rod bearers").

MAG'ISTRATE, n. L. magistratus, from magister, master; magis, major, and ster, Teutonic steora, a director; steoran, to steer; the principal director. A public civil officer, invested with the executive government of some branch of it. In this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate, as is the President of the United States. But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like.

The magistrate must have his reverence; the laws their authority.