Practically all the major powers of Bible times are spoken of as having rulers of the order of governors, either as local native rulers or as governors controlling occupied territories. (Syrian, 1Ki 20:24; Assyrian, Eze 23:5, 6, 12, 23; Babylonian, Jer 51:57; Persian, Ezr 8:36, Ne 2:7, 9; Arabian, 2Co 11:32; Roman, Lu 3:1)

Christians should not fear such rulers, though powerful, nor be worried about what to say when giving testimony before them. (Mt 10:18-20, 26)