ORATOR (לַ֫חַשׁ, H4318; ῥήτωρ, G4842). The Eng. term occurs only in (KJV) Isaiah 3:3 and Acts 24:1.

The Heb. word prob. means “a hiss” or “a whisper.” The exact meaning of the term is a matter of dispute. In place of “eloquent orator” in Isaiah 3:3, the RSV has “expert in charms.” George Rawlinson (Pulpit Commentary) suggests “expert enchanter.” The context does not indicate clearly whether a good or bad connotation is to be given to the expression; perhaps the latter is preferable.

The Gr. word is used for Tertullus, who was employed as a prosecuting attorney by the Jews in their case against Paul (Acts 24:1). Since this was a legal case in a Rom. court, it would prob. be conducted in Lat. (Valerius Maximus states that Rom. magistrates used Lat. even in Greece and Asia.) So the Jews would need a Lat. lawyer to represent them. Some scholars, however, think that Tertullus was a Jew and that all the proceedings were carried on in Gr. Again the context is not definitive.

The Gr. term was used first for a public speaker or orator. In the Oxyrhynchus papyri, as well as in Philo and Josephus, it signifies an advocate or attorney.