Executioner

Mk 0-'' AV, of the oflicer sent by llcrod to bcliead John the Baptist, RV 'a soldier of his guard.' The Gr. word aireKov\aTwp is a transliteration of Lat. sj>eculator, and the tperu- Intorcs were originally scouts or spies (spcrulor, to watch), and then the police or bixlyguard of the Roman emperors and military governors. (The word is fully discussed in Benson, Cyprian, 505 f.) 802 EXERCISE EXODUS TO CANAAN Beheading was a Roman, not a Jewish punishment. See Crimes and Punishments. J. Hastings.