King James Bible Dictionary

In 1 Kings 22:47, means a prefect; one set over others. The same Hebrew word is rendered "officer;" i.e., chief of the commissariat appointed by Solomon (1 Kings 4:5, etc.).

In Esther 8:9; 9:3 (R.V., "governor") it denotes a Persian prefect "on this side" i.e., in the region west of the Euphrates. It is the modern word pasha.

In Acts 13:7, 8, 12; 18:12, it denotes a proconsul; i.e., the governor of a Roman province holding his appointment from the senate. The Roman provinces were of two kinds, (1) senatorial and (2) imperial. The appointment of a governor to the former was in the hands of the senate, and he bore the title of proconsul (Gr. anthupatos). The appointment of a governor to the latter was in the hands of the emperor, and he bore the title of propraetor (Gr. antistrategos).

An officer who administers the functions of a superior in his absence.
1 Kings 22:47; Acts 13:7-8; Acts 18:12; Acts 19:38

(Acts 13:7,8,12; 19:38) The Greek word signifies proconsul, the title of the Roman governors who were appointed by the senate.

DEPUTY, noun

1. A person appointed or elected to act for another, especially a person sent with a special commission to act in the place of another; a lieutenant; a viceroy. A prince sends a deputy to a diet or council, to represent him and his dominions. A sheriff appoints a deputy to execute the duties of his office. The towns in New England send deputies to the legislature. In the latter sense, a deputy has general powers, and it is more common to use the word representative.

2. In law, one that exercises an office in anothers right, and the forfeiture or misdemeanor of such deputy shall cause the person he represents to lose his office.

DEPUTY-COLLECTOR, noun A person appointed to perform the duties of a collector of the customs, in place of the collector.

DEPUTY-MARSHALL, noun One appointed to act in the place of the marshal.

DEPUTY-POST-MASTER, noun A person who is appointed to act as post-master, in subordination to the Post-Master General.

DEPUTY-SHERIFF, noun A person deputed or authorized to perform the duties of the sheriff, as his substitute. In like manner, we use deputy-commissary, deputy-pay-master, etc.