SERJEANTS.EV [Note: English Version.] tr. [Note: translate or translation.] in Act_16:35; Act_16:38 of Gr. rhabdouchoi (= rod-bearers), which represents the Lat. lictores (RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] lictors), officials whose duty it was to attend the Roman magistrates, to execute their orders, and especially to administer the punishments of scourging or beheading. For this purpose they carried, as their mark of office, the fasces, a bundle of rods with an axe inserted. Cf. art. Philippi.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
sar?jents, -jants (ῥαβδοῦχαι, rhabdoúchoi): In Act_16:35, Act_16:38 the word (literally, ?holders of rods,? corresponding to Roman ?lictors,? thus the Revised Version margin) is used of the officers in attendance on the Philippian magistrates, whose duty it was to execute orders in scourging, etc., in this case in setting prisoners free. Paul and Silas, however, as Romans, refused thus to be ?privily? dismissed.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
servants in monastic offices: those of the church, the guest house, refectory, and infirmary were subordinate officers. The first was the bell ringer, except for high mass, vespers, matins, and obits. The candle lighter, except round the high altar (he also laid out the vestments for the celebrant at the high altar), was the chandler, who made all the wax candles, and assisted the subsacrist in baking the hosts. The serjeant of the infirmary was the barber, and, with the clerk and cook, waited on the monks who were sick or aged.
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.