Oration The word occurs in the NT only in connexion with Herod Agrippa, who, at CAEsarea, ‘made an oration’ (δημηγορέω) from the throne (or judgment-seat [RVm [Note: Vm Revised Version margin.] ]) to the embassy from Tyre and Sidon (Acts 12:21). It refers to set speeches made in public assemblies, but sometimes it is employed in a derogatory sense for speeches of the demagogic order. There is a curious use of the word in the LXX [Note: XX Septuagint.], Proverbs 30:31 (28:27)- βασιλε ὺ ς δημηγορ ῶ ν ἐ ν ἔ θνει . It was not an unusual thing for kings and princes to make orations in public assembly.
John Reid.