In the Douay version captain represents several different Hebrew and Latin words, and designates both civil and military officers. It is used without rule, other words being frequently substituted where the same expression with the same sense is translated, and this is true with regard to the Latin Vulgate as well as the Hebrew or Greek text. It is rarely used to designate civil officials, and then only the highest. Thus we find "captain of my people" (2 Kings 20:5); "let us appoint a captain" (instead of Moses; Numbers 14:4; cf. Proverbs 6:7). When applied to military officers it corresponds in most cases to the Hebrew sár, and like it designates officers of all grades, namely:
In the New Testament "captain" occurs but once, Matthew 2:6, in the prophecy of Micah 2:5, "for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel".
APA citation. (1908). Captain (In the Bible). In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03314c.htm
MLA citation. "Captain (In the Bible)." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03314c.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Douglas J. Potter. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. November 1, 1908. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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