"one posted on the right hand; a flank guard; a light armed spearman, Acts 23:23*"
Definition and meaning
one posted on the right hand; a flank guard; a light armed spearman, Acts 23:23*
In the original Greek the word is written: δεξιολάβος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of dexiolabos (G1187) across the King James Bible.
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
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Common questions
Strong's G1187 (dexiolabos) is a Greek word that means: one posted on the right hand; a flank guard; a light armed spearman, Acts 23:23* It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word dexiolabos (G1187) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1187 is dexiolabos, a Greek word defined as: one posted on the right hand; a flank guard; a light armed spearman, Acts 23:23*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
dexiolabos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.