Dictionary of Bible Themes Old age is generally held in honour and the aged in society are to be respected. Because of the wisdom associated with their advancing years elders had an important role of authority and guidance in Israelite society and the NT speaks of the leadership of elders within the church. Leviticus 19:32Old age is to be held in honour 1 Peter 5:5Respect for the aged See also Job 29:8Proverbs 16:31; 20:29 1 Timothy 5:1 Leviticus 19:3 Proverbs 23:22 Respect for parents See also Exodus 20:12; 21:17Leviticus 20:9 Deuteronomy 27:16 Proverbs 30:17 Matthew 15:4 Ephesians 6:1-3 Colossians 3:20 pp Mk 7:10 Job 32:6-7Old age is associated with wisdom See also Deferring to the wisdom of the aged 1 Kings 12:6-8Job 12:12; 15:10 pp 2Ch 10:6-8 Philemon 1:9Rehoboam rejected the advice of elders and rebellion ensued Psalms 71:18Paul refers to his age to add authority to his words. See also Learning from the previous generation Job 8:8Psalms 37:25-26 Ecclesiastes 4:13 See also Old age does not necessarily bring superior wisdom Job 32:9Psalms 105:22 Isaiah 3:5 Showing disrespect for the elderly is a sign of evil days See also Deuteronomy 28:50Job 30:1 Isaiah 47:6 Lamentations 5:12 Genesis 50:7 The role and status of elders Numbers 22:7Elders of non-Israelite nations Exodus 3:16-18; 4:29-31; 19:7Elders in Israel Numbers 11:25Israel's elders were probably the heads of families, qualified to lead by virtue of age and experience: Deuteronomy 19:11-12; 22:15-18; 25:7The number of elders is reduced to 70 who are anointed by the Spirit for leadership alongside Moses. 2 Samuel 5:3Town elders were responsible for apprehending murderers and settling matrimonial disputes: Matthew 26:57Israel's elders accept David as king pp Mk 14:53 1 Timothy 5:17Jewish elders were among those who tried Jesus Christ. By NT times they had become involved with religious as well as civil affairs and their title related more to their role than to age. See also Elders in the church 1 Timothy 3:1-7Titus 1:5-9 James 5:14 1 Peter 5:1-2 Daniel 7:9 God as the "Ancient of Days" God as one "advanced in years" See also Daniel 7:13,22This description of God as the "Ancient of Days" implies that he possesses the respectability, authority and wisdom to judge that accompanies age. It also points to his eternity. Revelation 1:14Psalms 9:7 See also The eternity of God Psalms 29:10; 90:2Isaiah 41:4; 44:6 See also 1140 God, the eternal1205 God, titles of 5358 judges 5731 parents 5746 youth 5838 disrespect 5853 experience of life 7718 elders 7733 leaders 8469 respect |
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