an entertainer ( Romans 16:23 ); a tavern-keeper, the keeper of a caravansary ( Luke 10:35 ).

In warfare, a troop or military force. This consisted at first only of infantry. Solomon afterwards added cavalry ( 1 Kings 4:26 ; 10:26 ). Every male Israelite from twenty to fifty years of age was bound by the law to bear arms when necessary ( Numbers 1:3 ; 26:2 ; 2 Chr 25:5 ).

Saul was the first to form a standing army ( 1 Samuel 13:2 ; 24:2 ). This example was followed by David ( 1 Chronicles 27:1 ), and Solomon ( 1 Kings 4:26 ), and by the kings of Israel and Judah ( 2 Chronicles 17:14 ; 26:11 ; 2 Kings 11:4 , etc.).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.