Ambassador.There are three Hebrew words thus translated, signifying 'an interpreter,' 'a messenger.' They were not, as in modern times, residents in foreign lands, but were officers sent from one sovereign to another with any message of importance, or to negotiate matters of mutual interest. The men from Gibeon pretended to be ambassadors come from a distance to make an alliance with Israel. Joshua 9:4. Ambassadors came from Babylon to visit Hezekiah, 2 Chr. 32:31; and from the king of Egypt to Josiah. 2 Chr. 35:21. Such persons represented the kings who sent them, and, whatever the message, were usually treated with due respect. David severely resented the insult offered to the messengers sent by him in kindness to Hanun, king of the children of Ammon. 2 Sam. 10:1-14. In 2 Sam. 9 the kindness of God was accepted; here kindness was rejected. In the N.T. the apostles were ambassadors for Christ to a guilty world, to beseech their hearers to be reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 6:20; and judgement will fall on those who obey not the gospel. 2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17.