AMBASSADOR (מַלְאָכְ, H4855, messenger; מֵלִיץ, interpreter; πρεσβεύω, G4563, to act as an ambassador). An official representative of a ruler or government (2 Chron 32:31; 35:21; Isa 30:4; RSV ENVOYS except 1 Macc 9:70, ASV and KJV AMBASSADORS). Ambassadors are mentioned from the time of Moses to the Maccabean period (1 Macc 9:70; 11:9; 14:21; 15:17). Disrespect shown to them was regarded as a serious insult to their sovereign and his people, and sometimes led to war (2 Sam 10:4 ff.). In the NT the term is used only in a fig. sense. Paul called himself “an ambassador in chains” (Eph 6:20), and all ministers of the Gospel “ambassadors...on behalf of Christ” (2 Cor 5:20). See Messenger.