Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5509 rulers Officials who, acting as God's servants, govern others and exercise authority over them. Also the originators of the laws of their realms. In the NT, rulers are also spiritual powers. Officials exercising authority over people Matthew 20:25 pp Mark 10:42 See also 2 Chronicles 23:20; Psalm 2:2; Proverbs 28:2; Isaiah 16:1; Daniel 5:7; Hosea 13:10; Luke 1:52; Luke 12:11; Acts 7:27; Exodus 2:14; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 Godly rulers in foreign lands Importance of submitting to civil authorities Examples of rulers Rulers of areas apart from Israel Genesis 25:16; Genesis 34:2; Genesis 41:41; Genesis 45:8; 2 Chronicles 32:31; Ezekiel 28:2; Ezekiel 31:11; Daniel 9:1; Acts 7:10,18 The five Philistine rulers Joshua 13:3 The Hebrew word translated “rulers” is related to the word “tyrant” and is only used of Philistines rulers. See also Judges 3:3; Judges 15:11; Judges 16:18; 1 Samuel 5:8; Samuel 6:16; Samuel 29:2; 1 Chronicles 12:19 The king of Israel is referred to as a ruler 2 Samuel 5:1-2 pp 1 Chronicles 11:1-2 See also 1 Kings 1:34-35; Kings 11:34; 1 Chronicles 5:2; Micah 5:1 Other rulers of Israel (or parts of it) 1 Kings 22:26 pp 2 Chronicles 18:25; Nehemiah 3:9; Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 30:21; Micah 3:1; Matthew 2:6; Luke 18:18 One of three groups that made up the Sanhedrin Acts 4:5 See also Luke 23:13; Luke 24:20; John 7:48; Acts 4:8; Acts 13:27 Jesus Christ is described as a ruler Revelation 1:5 See also Matthew 2:6; Micah 5:2; Revelation 3:14 God the Father is also called a ruler A ruler as the originator of the laws of his realm Rulers are appointed by God Romans 13:1-2 See also 2 Samuel 6:21; Samuel 7:7-8 pp 1 Chronicles 17:6-7; 1 Kings 11:34; Psalm 2:7 fn; Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 27:6; Daniel 2:38; Daniel 4:17; John 19:11; Romans 9:17; Exodus 9:16 Rulers are God's servants Romans 13:4 See also Isaiah 45:1; Jeremiah 25:9; Jeremiah 43:10 Rulers are God's representatives Psalm 58:1 The Hebrew word translated “rulers” literally means “gods” a title given to those whose position called for them to act as earthly representatives of God's heavenly court. See also Psalm 82:1; John 10:34-35; Psalm 82:6; Acts 23:5; Exodus 22:28 Rulers as spiritual powers Ephesians 3:10 See also Ephesians 1:21 In the NT, rulers are spiritual powers, some of whom exercise a Satanic authority; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:16 Synagogue rulers Mark 5:22 pp Matthew 9:18 pp Luke 8:41 The ruler of a synagogue looked after the building and supervised the worship in it. See also Mark 5:35-36 pp Luke 8:49-50; Mark 5:38; Luke 13:14; Acts 13:15; Acts 18:8,17 See also
5219 authority, human institutions |