Executioner.
This word does not occur in the O.T. except in the margin. In three places persons are pointed out as 'captain of the guard,' who in the margin are called 'chief of the executioners or slaughtermen.' Genesis 37:36; Jeremiah 39:9; Daniel 2:14. In Solomon's day Benaiah the chief of the army was called to fulfil this office, 1 Kings 2:25, 1 Kings 1:2, 1 Kings 1:2, though doubtless the 'chief ' had others under him that actually carried the king's word into execution, unless the persons were of high rank. In Mark 6:27 Herod Antipas called to an executioner, or one of his guard to behead John the Baptist.