δεξιολάβος, -ov, ὁ, (δεξιός and λαμβάνω), a word unknown to the earlier writ., found in Constant. Porphyrogenitus (10th cent.) de them. 1, 1, who speaks of δεξιολάβοι, as a kind of soldiers, in company with bow-men (τοξοφόροι) and peltasts; [they are also mentioned by Theoph. Simoc. (hist. 4, 1) in the 7th cent. ; see the quotations in Meyer]. Since in Acts xxiii. 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 ad loc. understands them to be [either] javelinmen [or slingers].

δεξιολάβος dexiolabos 1x

one posted on the right hand; a flank guard; a light armed spearman, Acts 23:23*

*† δεξιο-βόλος, -ου, ὁ

(< δεξιός, βάλλω),

one who throws with the right hand: L for δεξιολάβος, Ac 23:23.†

δεξιολάβος. We have been no more fortunate than our predecessors in tracing earlier appearances of this ἅπ. eip. of Ac 2353. 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

δεξιολάβος (dexiolabos) — slinger. δεξιο-λάβος [ᾰ], ὁ, spearman: in plural, guards, [NT]