Arbitrator
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Topical Encyclopedia
An arbitrator, in biblical terms, is an individual who is appointed to settle disputes or disagreements between parties, often serving as a mediator or judge. The concept of arbitration is rooted in the biblical principles of justice, fairness, and reconciliation. The role of an arbitrator is to bring about peace and resolution in accordance with God's laws and wisdom.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the role of an arbitrator is often associated with judges and leaders who were appointed to resolve disputes among the people of Israel. Moses, for example, served as an arbitrator for the Israelites, settling their disputes and teaching them God's statutes and laws. In Exodus 18:13-16, Moses is seen judging the people from morning until evening, a task that was later delegated to capable men who feared God, as advised by Jethro, Moses' father-in-law.

The book of Job also references the need for an arbitrator. Job, in his suffering, longs for someone to mediate between him and God. In Job 9:33 , he laments, "Nor is there a mediator between us, to lay his hand upon us both." This highlights the human desire for an intermediary who can bridge the gap between man and the divine.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of arbitration is further developed through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself is seen as the ultimate arbitrator, reconciling humanity to God through His sacrificial death and resurrection. In 1 Timothy 2:5 , it is stated, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of disputes among believers in the church. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 , Paul admonishes the Corinthian church for taking their disputes before secular courts rather than resolving them within the church community. He encourages believers to appoint wise individuals from among themselves to act as arbitrators, emphasizing the importance of resolving conflicts in a manner that reflects Christian values and unity.

Biblical Principles of Arbitration

The Bible provides several principles that guide the process of arbitration:

1. Wisdom and Discernment: Arbitrators are called to exercise wisdom and discernment, seeking God's guidance in making fair and just decisions. Solomon's request for wisdom to govern the people (1 Kings 3:9) exemplifies the need for divine insight in arbitration.

2. Impartiality: An arbitrator must be impartial, not showing favoritism or bias. Leviticus 19:15 instructs, "You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly."

3. Reconciliation: The ultimate goal of arbitration is reconciliation and restoration of relationships. Matthew 5:9 states, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

4. Community Involvement: Disputes should ideally be resolved within the community of believers, reflecting the unity and love that characterize the body of Christ. This principle is evident in the early church's practice of resolving conflicts internally, as seen in Acts 6:1-7.

In summary, the role of an arbitrator in the Bible is deeply connected to the pursuit of justice, peace, and reconciliation, reflecting God's character and His desire for harmony among His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A person, or one of two or more persons, chosen by parties who have a controversy, to determine their differences. See Arbitration.

2. (n.) One who has the power of deciding or prescribing without control; a ruler; a governor.

Greek
3316. mesites -- an arbitrator, a mediator
... an arbitrator, a mediator. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: mesites
Phonetic Spelling: (mes-ee'-tace) Short Definition: a mediator, go-between ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3316.htm - 7k

3312. meristes -- a divider
... Word Origin from merizo Definition a divider NASB Word Usage arbitrator (1). a divider,
arbitrator. From merizo; an apportioner (administrator) -- divider. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3312.htm - 6k

Library

Whether it is Lawful for the Accused to Escape Judgment by ...
... ordinary and chosen by the litigants, it is lawful to appeal from his decision,
since seemingly his ordinary authority occasioned his being chosen as arbitrator ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 8.htm

The Condemnation of "The Three Chapters. "
... the state was influenced partly by a healthy desire to promote peace through out
the empire, partly by the meaner ambition of posing as theological arbitrator. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/vii the condemnation of the three.htm

The Papacy
... strange that in disputes between princes and subjects or between the rulers of
independent states the authority of the Pope as supreme arbitrator should have ...
/.../chapter ix the papacy.htm

Call to China and Voyage Hence
... During all his missionary career in China, he was an adviser and arbitrator whom
foreigners and Chinese alike sought and from whose advice they were not quick ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/ii call to china and.htm

Of Sin and Danger Incurred Even with a "Tolerant" Husband.
... in their teeth their (Christian) name, they make the wages of silence; while they
threaten them, forsooth, with a suit before some spy [476] as arbitrator! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to his wife/chapter v of sin and danger.htm

Of the Soul and Body, and of Providence.
... But God can pardon, because He is Himself the arbitrator [1767] and judge of His
own law; and when He laid down this, He did not surely deprive Himself of all ...
/.../chap xix of the soul and.htm

A Charge.
... For Christ does not wish to appoint you either a judge or an arbitrator in business,
or negotiator of the secular affairs of the present life, lest, being ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/unknown/epistle of peter to james/chapter v a charge.htm

Argument: C??cilius, Somewhat Grieved at this Kind of Rebuke which ...
... Nor was this a matter of observance, or of rank, or of honour, because friendship
always either receives or makes equals; but that, as an arbitrator, and being ...
/.../chapter iv argument caecilius somewhat grieved.htm

Teaching with Authority
... The tables which Moses brought were inscribed by the finger of Another: none could
make him the Supreme arbitrator while overhead the trumpet waxed louder and ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 21 22 teaching with.htm

Introduction to the Correspondence of St. Chrysostom, and the ...
... But on the other hand it is to be noted that the Bishop of Rome is in no sense
addressed as a supreme arbitrator: aid and sympathy are solicited from him as ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/introduction to the correspondence of.htm

Thesaurus
Arbitrator (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Arbitrator (1 Occurrence). Luke 12:14 But he said to him,
"Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" (WEB WEY NAS). ...
/a/arbitrator.htm - 7k

Mediation
... Septuagint (Job 9:33 the King James Version, "Neither is there any daysman betwixt
us," where "daysman" stands for Hebrew mokhiach, "arbitrator," the American ...
/m/mediation.htm - 38k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... Septuagint (Job 9:33 the King James Version, "Neither is there any daysman betwixt
us," where "daysman" stands for Hebrew mokhiach, "arbitrator," the American ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Umpire (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) To perform the duties of umpire in or for; as, to umpire a game. 5. (vi)
To act as umpire or arbitrator. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. UMPIRE. ...
/u/umpire.htm - 7k

Daysman (1 Occurrence)
... As used in the King James Version (Job 9:33) the word means an arbitrator, umpire,
referee; one who stands in a judicial capacity between two parties, and ...
/d/daysman.htm - 9k

Constituted (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Constituted (6 Occurrences). Luke 12:14 "Man," He replied,
"who has constituted me a judge or arbitrator over you?" (WEY). ...
/c/constituted.htm - 8k

Arbitration (1 Occurrence)

/a/arbitration.htm - 6k

Arbonai

/a/arbonai.htm - 6k

Arbiter (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Arbiter (3 Occurrences). Luke 12:14 But he said to him,
"Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" (See NIV). ...
/a/arbiter.htm - 7k

Arbitrate (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vi) To act as arbitrator or judge; as, to arbitrate upon several reports; to
arbitrate in disputes among neighbors; to arbitrate between parties to a suit. ...
/a/arbitrate.htm - 7k

Resources
Arbitrator: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Arbitrator (1 Occurrence)

Luke 12:14
But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"
(WEB WEY NAS)

Subtopics

Arbitrator

Related Terms

Arcades (1 Occurrence)

Arbitrator (1 Occurrence)

Arbitration: Urged by Paul, As a Mode of Action for Christians
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