Deputy

Four of these five verses name a Roman official in the book of Acts. On Cyprus, “the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man,” asks to hear the word of God from Barnabas and Saul, while a sorcerer tries to turn him away (Acts 13:7-8). In Corinth, Gallio is deputy of Achaia when Paul is brought before his judgment seat. The odd one out is 1 Kings 22:47, where an Edomite deputy stands in for a king. In each place the word means someone who governs on behalf of a higher authority.

5 verses

1 Kings

1 Kings 22:47

There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.

Acts

Acts 13:7

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:8

But Elymas the sorcerer(for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Acts 18:12

And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

Acts 19:38

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

In 1 Kings 22:47, means a prefect; one set over others. The same Hebrew word is rendered “officer;” i.e., chief of the commissariat appointed by Solomon (1 Kings 4:5, etc.).

In Esther 8:9; 9:3 (R.V., “governor”) it denotes a Persian prefect “on this side” i.e., in the region west of the Euphrates. It is the modern word pasha.

In Acts 13:7, 8, 12; 18:12, it denotes a proconsul; i.e., the governor of a Roman province holding his appointment from the senate. The Roman provinces were of two kinds, (1) senatorial and (2) imperial. The appointment of a governor to the former was in the hands of the senate, and he bore the title of proconsul (Gr. anthupatos). The appointment of a governor to the latter was in the hands of the emperor, and he bore the title of propraetor (Gr. antistrategos).

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From Smith's Bible Dictionary

William Smith, 1884

(Acts 13:7,8,12; 19:38) The Greek word signifies proconsul, the title of the Roman governors who were appointed by the senate.