The term "ancients" in the Bible often refers to the elders or leaders of a community, particularly those who hold positions of authority and wisdom. These individuals were typically respected for their experience, knowledge, and ability to guide others in accordance with God's laws and principles. The concept of the "ancients" is deeply rooted in the social and religious structures of ancient Israel and the broader Near Eastern context.

Role and Function

In biblical times, the ancients were often synonymous with the elders of Israel. They played a crucial role in the governance and spiritual oversight of the community. The elders were responsible for making important decisions, settling disputes, and ensuring that the community adhered to the covenantal laws given by God. Their wisdom and experience were highly valued, and they were often consulted in matters of justice and leadership.

For example, in the book of Exodus, Moses is instructed to gather the elders of Israel to communicate God's plans for delivering the Israelites from Egypt: "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt’" (Exodus 3:16).

Biblical References

The term "ancients" is used in various contexts throughout the Bible, often highlighting the respect and authority attributed to these individuals. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks of the judgment that will come upon the leaders and elders of the people: "The LORD enters into judgment with the elders and leaders of His people: 'It is you who have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses'" (Isaiah 3:14). This passage underscores the responsibility of the ancients to lead with justice and righteousness.

In the New Testament, the concept of elders continues to be significant within the early Christian church. The apostles appointed elders in the various churches to provide spiritual oversight and guidance. In the book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in the churches they established: "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had believed" (Acts 14:23).

Symbolism and Wisdom

The ancients are often associated with wisdom and understanding, qualities that are highly esteemed in biblical literature. The book of Proverbs frequently emphasizes the value of wisdom, which is often personified and linked to the teachings of the elders. Proverbs 16:31 states, "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness" , suggesting that age and experience bring wisdom and honor.

The ancients also serve as a symbol of continuity and tradition, representing the transmission of faith and values from one generation to the next. Their role in preserving and teaching the laws and commandments of God is crucial for maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, the ancients were integral to the social structure of the community. They were often the heads of families or clans, and their authority was recognized both in religious and civil matters. The respect for elders and the wisdom they imparted was a fundamental aspect of ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel.

The ancients' role in the community reflects the biblical emphasis on honoring one's parents and elders, as seen in the Ten Commandments: "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). This commandment underscores the importance of respecting and valuing the guidance of those who have come before.

In summary, the ancients in the Bible represent a vital link between the past and the present, embodying the wisdom, authority, and continuity of God's covenantal community. Their role as leaders and teachers is essential for the spiritual and social well-being of the people of God.ANCIENTS

an-shents: This word (except in one instance) renders the Hebrew word zeqenim, (pl of zaqen), which should always be translated "old men" or "elders." The Hebrew word never has the connotation which "ancients" has in modern English. The words "I understand more than the ancients" (Psalm 119:100 the King James Version) do not mean that the Psalmist claims greater wisdom than his distant forbears but than his contemporaries with all their age and experience. In the parallel clause "teachers" is the corresponding word. In such phrases as "ancients of the people" (Jeremiah 19:1 the King James Version), "ancients of the house of Israel" (Ezekiel 8:12), "elders" would obviously be the correct rendering, as in the Revised Version (British and American). Even in Isaiah 24:23 ("before his ancients gloriously" the English Revised Version) "elders" is the right translation (American Revised Version). The writer probably alludes to the Sinaitic; theophany witnessed by the "seventy. elders" (Exodus 24:9-18) Generally speaking the word suggests the experience, insight and practical acquaintance with life which age ought to bring with it (Psalm 119:100 Ezekiel 7:26). In one instance (1 Samuel 24:13) "ancients" is the right rendering for the Hebrew word qadhmonim, which means "men of former times."

Thomas Lewis

744. archaios -- original, ancient
... Word Origin from arche Definition original, ancient NASB Word Usage ancient (2),
ancients (2), early (1), long standing (1), old (4), old things (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/744.htm - 6k6931. qadmoni -- former, eastern
... Word Origin from the same as qedem Definition former, eastern NASB Word Usage ancients
(1), east (3), eastern (3), eastward (1), former (2), things of the past ...
/hebrew/6931.htm - 6k

Testimonies of the Ancients against Eusebius.
... Chapter III Eusebius' Church History. Testimonies of the Ancients Against
Eusebius. From the Epistle of Arius to Eusebius ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/testimonies of the ancients against.htm

Testimonies of the Ancients in Favor of Eusebius.
... Chapter III Eusebius' Church History. Testimonies of the Ancients in
Favor of Eusebius. From Constantine's Letter to ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/testimonies of the ancients in.htm

The virgins, the Righteous Ancients; the Church, the one Only ...
... Discourse VII."Procilla. Chapter VII."The Virgins, the Righteous Ancients; The
Church, the One Only Spouse, More Excellent Than the Others. ...
/.../chapter vii the virgins the righteous.htm

The Testimonies of the Ancients against the Pelagians.
... Book IV. Chapter 20 [VIII.]"The Testimonies of the Ancients Against the
Pelagians. But since they say "that their enemies have ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 20 viii the testimonies of.htm

The Ancients Assumed Original Sin.
... Book III. Chapter 11."The Ancients Assumed Original Sin. You see with what
confidence this great man expresses himself after the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 11 the ancients assumed original.htm

The Prolonged Life of the Ancients, the Translation of Elijah and ...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter V."The prolonged life of the ancients, the translation
of Elijah and of Enoch in their own bodies, as well as the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter v the prolonged life of.htm

Hyle, which was Called by the Ancients the Formless Material of ...
... Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manich??ans. Chapter 18. "Hyle, Which
Was Called by the Ancients the Formless Material of Things, is Not an Evil. ...
/.../chapter 18 hyle which was.htm

Ye have Heard Also that it was Said unto the Ancients...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section IX. Ye have heard also that it was
said unto the ancients? [1] [686] Ye have heard also that ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section ix ye have heard.htm

In How Many Ways Things Future are Foreknown. Neither Philosophers ...
... Neither Philosophers, Nor Those Who Were Distinguished Among the Ancients,
are to Be Consulted Concerning the Resurrection of the Dead. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 17 in how many ways.htm

The Emperor Orders a Convention Composed of all the Various Sects. ...
... healing divisions usually create heresies of a more inveterate character, gave the
following advice to Nectarius, knowing well that the ancients have nowhere ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter x the emperor orders a.htm

Ancients (17 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANCIENTS. an-shents: This word (except
in one instance) renders the Hebrew word zeqenim, (pl of ...
/a/ancients.htm - 13k

Metals (1 Occurrence)
... METALS. met'-alz (Latin metallum, "metal," "mine"; Greek metallon, "mine"): The
metals known by the ancients were copper, gold, iron, lead, silver and tin. ...
/m/metals.htm - 10k

Delivered (427 Occurrences)
... him. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples
transgress what has been delivered by the ancients? for they ...
/d/delivered.htm - 35k

Infernal (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) of or pertaining to or suitable for the lower regions, inhabited, according
to the ancients, by the dead; pertaining to Pluto's realm of the dead, the ...
/i/infernal.htm - 7k

Eli'jah (93 Occurrences)
... RSV). Luke 9:8 and by certain, that Elijah did appear, and by others, that
a prophet, one of the ancients, was risen; (See RSV). Luke ...
/e/eli'jah.htm - 31k

Magistrate (9 Occurrences)
... maj'-is-trat (shephaT, corresponding to shaphaT, "to judge," "to pronounce sentence"
(Judges 18:7)): Among the ancients, the terms corresponding to our ...
/m/magistrate.htm - 15k

Barefoot (7 Occurrences)
... 2. An Ancient Oriental Custom: The "shoes" of the ancients, as we know from many
sources, were "sandals," ie simply soles, for the most part of rawhide, tied ...
/b/barefoot.htm - 13k

Lead (192 Occurrences)
... Since lead was the heaviest metal known to the ancients, gold excepted, it was
generally used for fish-lines and sounding lines (compare Acts 27:28 ...
/l/lead.htm - 42k

Age (404 Occurrences)
... Revised Version has "old" for "the age of" (1 Chronicles 23:3), "own age" for "sort"
(Daniel 1:10); "aged" for "ancients" (Psalm 119:100), for "ancient ...
/a/age.htm - 56k

Phoenicians
... coast, none in the modern sense, since what few bays and inlets there are afford
but slight shelter to modern ships, but those of the ancients found sufficient ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

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