(1.) Hebrews tabbah (properly a "cook, " and in a secondary sense "executioner, " because this office fell to the lot of the cook in Eastern countries), the bodyguard of the kings of Egypt (Genesis 37:36) and Babylon (2 Kings 25:8; Jeremiah 40:1; Dan. 2:14).

(2.) Hebrews rats, properly a "courier," one whose office was to run before the king's chariot (2 Samuel 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5). The couriers were also military guards (1 Samuel 22:17; 2 Kings 10:25). They were probably the same who under David were called Pelethites (1 Kings 14:27; 2 Samuel 15:1).

(3.) Hebrews mishmereth, one who watches (Nehemiah 4:22), or a watch-station (7:3; 12:9; Job 7:12).

In the New Testament (Mark 6:27) the Authorized Version renders the Greek spekulator by "executioner," earlier English versions by "hangman," the Revised Version by "soldier of his guard." The word properly means a "pikeman" or "halberdier," of whom the bodyguard of kings and princes was composed. In Matthew 27:65, 66; 28:11, the Authorized Version renders the Greek kustodia by "watch," and the Revised Version by "guard," the Roman guard, which consisted of four soldiers, who were relieved every three hours (Acts 12:4). The "captain of the guard" mentioned Acts 28:16 was the commander of the Praetorian troops, whose duty it was to receive and take charge of all prisoners from the provinces.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) To protect from danger; to secure against surprise, attack, or injury; to keep in safety; to defend; to shelter; to shield from surprise or attack; to protect by attendance; to accompany for protection; to care for.

2. (n.) To keep watch over, in order to prevent escape or restrain from acts of violence, or the like.

3. (n.) To protect the edge of, esp. with an ornamental border; hence, to face or ornament with lists, laces, etc.

4. (n.) To fasten by binding; to gird.

5. (v. i.) To watch by way of caution or defense; to be caution; to be in a state or position of defense or safety; as, careful persons guard against mistakes.

6. (n.) One who, or that which, guards from injury, danger, exposure, or attack; defense; protection.

7. (n.) A man, or body of men, stationed to protect or control a person or position; a watch; a sentinel.

8. (n.) One who has charge of a mail coach or a railway train; a conductor.

9. (v. t.) Any fixture or attachment designed to protect or secure against injury, soiling, or defacement, theft or loss

10. (v. t.) That part of a sword hilt which protects the hand.

11. (v. t.) Ornamental lace or hem protecting the edge of a garment.

12. (n.) A chain or cord for fastening a watch to one's person or dress.

13. (n.) A fence or rail to prevent falling from the deck of a vessel.

14. (n.) An extension of the deck of a vessel beyond the hull; esp., in side-wheel steam vessels, the framework of strong timbers, which curves out on each side beyond the paddle wheel, and protects it and the shaft against collision.

15. (n.) A plate of metal, beneath the stock, or the lock frame, of a gun or pistol, having a loop, called a bow, to protect the trigger.

16. (n.) An interleaved strip at the back, as in a scrap book, to guard against its breaking when filled.

17. (n.) A posture of defense in fencing, and in bayonet and saber exercise.

18. (n.) An expression or admission intended to secure against objections or censure.

19. (v. t.) Watch; heed; care; attention; as, to keep guard.

20. (n.) The fibrous sheath which covers the phragmacone of the Belemnites.