δεξιολάβος, δεξιολαβου, ὁ (δεξιός and λαμβάνω), a word unknown to the earlier writings, found in Constantinus Porphyrogenitus (10th century) de them. 1, 1, who speaks of δεξιολαβοι, as a kind of soldiers, in company with bowmen (τοξοφοροι) and peltasts; (they are also mentioned by Theophylact Simocatta (hist. 4, 1) in the 7th century; see the quotations in Meyer). Since in Act_23:23 two hundred of them are ordered to be ready, apparently spearmen are referred to (carrying a lance in the right hand); and so the Vulg. has taken it. The great number spoken of conflicts with the interpretation of those who suppose them to be soldiers whose duty it was to guard captives bound by a chain on the right hand. Meyer at the passage understands them to be (either) javelin men (or slingers).

δεξιολάβος dexiolabos 1x one posted on the right hand; a flank guard; a light armed spearman, Act_23:23

*† δεξιο -βόλος , -ου , ὁ ( < δεξιός , βάλλω ), one who throws with the right hand: L for δεξιολάβος , Act_23:23 .† * δεξιολάβος , -ου , ὁ ( < δεξιός , λαμβάνω ), a kind of soldier, prob. a spearman ( Vg ., lancearius) or slinger: Act_23:23 .†

δεξιολάβος [page 140] We have been no more fortunate than our predecessors in tracing earlier appearances of this ἅπ . εἰρ . of Act_23:23 . It may be a coinage to translate some title used in the Roman army; but obviously it was coined before Luke s time, as its meaning could not be deduced from its form. Preuschen ( HZNT in loc. ) quotes from Matthaei a scholion which is not in Grimm : δεξιολάβοι λέγονται οἱ παραφύλακες .

δεξιολάβος [Etym: λαμβάνω] "a spearman": in pl. "guards", NTest. : others δεξιοβόλοι "javelin-men".

δεξιολάβος, -ου, ὁ (δεξιός, λαμβάνω), a kind of soldier, prob. a spearman (Vg., lancearius) or slinger: Act.23:23.† δεξιο-βόλος, -ου, ὁ (δεξιός, βάλλω), one who throws with the right hand: L for δεξιολάβος, Act.23:23.† (AS)