from a derivative of πράσσω; a practiser, i.e. (specially), an official collector:--officer.
Transliteration:práktōr
Pronunciation:prak'-tor
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term práktōr (`{{G4233}}`) is derived from the verb prássō (`{{G4238}}`), which fundamentally means "to do," "to perform," or "to act." Therefore, at its most basic level, práktōr refers to "one who does" or "a doer." However, the word acquired a specialized and more precise semantic range in legal and administrative contexts. It denotes an official agent or executor, specifically "an official collector," "an enforcement officer," or "a bailiff." This specialized meaning emphasizes the role of someone who carries out or enforces a decision, often related to the collection of debts or the execution of judicial sentences. The term implies a person with authority, commissioned to ensure the fulfillment of legal obligations.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word práktōr (`{{G4233}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 12:58]]**: "For as you go with your opponent to the ruler, on the way make every effort to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer [práktōr], and the officer throw you into prison."
In this passage, Jesus uses a vivid illustration from contemporary legal practice to teach a spiritual truth. The práktōr is depicted as the final agent in a legal process, responsible for enforcing the judge's verdict, which in this context involves taking the debtor to prison. This single occurrence strongly confirms the specialized meaning of an "official collector" or "enforcement officer." The práktōr is not merely an attendant but an active agent of the court, whose role is to ensure that the judgment, particularly concerning debt or penalty, is carried out without fail. The context highlights the inevitability and severity of the consequences once a dispute escalates to this final stage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of práktōr (`{{G4233}}`) includes several key terms and concepts:
* **prássō (`{{G4238}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to do," "to act," or "to perform." This connection underscores that the práktōr is an active agent, someone who executes a task.
* **dikastēs (`{{G1348}}`):** "Judge." The práktōr operates under the authority of the judge, carrying out the judicial decision.
* **antithetos (`{{G498}}`):** "Opponent" or "adversary." This is the party with whom a dispute arises, potentially leading to the involvement of the práktōr.
* **Legal and Judicial Context:** The word is deeply embedded in the terminology of the ancient legal system. Concepts such as debt, judgment, imprisonment, and enforcement are central to its meaning. The práktōr represents the administrative arm of justice, ensuring that sentences are fulfilled.
* **Accountability and Consequence:** The very existence of a práktōr implies a system of accountability where actions have consequences, and where those consequences are enforced by designated officials.
### Theological Significance
Though práktōr (`{{G4233}}`) appears only once, its placement in Jesus' teaching in [[Luke 12:58]] imbues it with profound theological significance:
* **Urgency of Reconciliation:** Jesus employs the illustration of the práktōr to emphasize the critical importance of seeking reconciliation and making amends *before* a situation escalates to an irreversible point. The presence of the práktōr signifies that the time for negotiation and grace has passed, and only the unyielding enforcement of the law remains.
* **Divine Justice and Consequences:** While the immediate context is an earthly legal dispute, the parable often serves as an analogy for spiritual realities. The "opponent" can be understood as God, whose righteous demands must be met, and the "judge" as God, who renders ultimate judgment. In this broader interpretation, the práktōr symbolizes the agent of divine justice, representing the inevitable and inescapable consequences of unrepentant sin. It underscores the biblical truth that God is just and will hold individuals accountable.
* **Opportunity for Repentance:** The warning to "settle" with one's adversary *on the way* highlights the window of opportunity for repentance and seeking forgiveness. Before the práktōr takes action, there is still a chance for resolution. Once the práktōr is involved, the opportunity for a gracious settlement is lost, and the full weight of the penalty is applied. This serves as a powerful call to spiritual preparedness and timely response to God's call.
### Summary
The Greek word práktōr (`{{G4233}}`) denotes an official collector or enforcement officer, rooted in the verb prássō (`{{G4238}}`, "to do" or "to act"). Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Luke 12:58]] vividly portrays it as an officer of the court responsible for executing a judge's sentence, particularly in cases of debt leading to imprisonment. Theologically, the práktōr serves as a potent symbol in Jesus' teaching, illustrating the critical urgency of reconciliation and repentance. It represents the unyielding nature of justice, whether human or divine, and the inevitable consequences that arise when opportunities for a gracious resolution are neglected. The práktōr signifies the point of no return, where negotiation ceases and enforcement begins, thereby urging listeners to make peace before it is too late.
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