The Hebrews had another word also, which they used in the sense of an apostle or messenger. This was מלאך (_mal ak_,) derived from a verb which means “_send_,” so that the primary meaning of this also is “one sent.” It was commonly appropriated to angels, but was sometimes a title of prophets and priests. (Haggai i. 19; Malachi ii. 7.) It was on the whole the more dignified term of the two, as the former was never applied to angels, but was restricted to men. The two terms are very fairly represented by the two Greek words αποστολος and αγγελος, in English “apostle” and “angel,” the latter, like its corresponding Hebrew term, being sometimes applied to the human servants of God, as in John’s address to the seven churches. The scope of the term, as used in the title of this book, is limited to the twelve chosen disciples of Jesus Christ, and those few of their most eminent associates, who are designated by the same word in the writings of the early Christians. These persons fall under two natural divisions, which will be followed in the arrangement of their lives in this work. These are, first, the TWELVE, or Peter and his companions; and second, Paul and his companions, including also some to whom the name apostle is not given by the New Testament writers, but who were so intimate with this great preacher of Christ, and so eminent by their own labors, that they may be very properly ranked with him, in the history of the first preachers of Christianity. The persons whose lives are given in this book are, I. The Galilean apostles, namely, SIMON PETER, and ANDREW his brother, JAMES, and JOHN, the sons of Zebedee, PHILIP, and BARTHOLOMEW, MATTHEW, and THOMAS, JAMES, the son of Alpheus, and SIMON ZELOTES, JUDE, the brother of James, and JUDAS ISCARIOT, in whose place was afterwards chosen by the apostles, MATTHIAS. II. The Hellenist apostles, namely, PAUL and BARNABAS, with whom are included their companions, MARK and LUKE, the evangelists.