Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5489 rank

5489 rank

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5489 rank

A person's seniority and/or status, especially in military, government or priestly positions. Christians should not be concerned about rank or status.

Differences in rank amongst those in charge of both military and civil affairs

Emperor

Luke 2:1; Luke 3:1

King

2 Samuel 5:3-5; 1 Kings 4:1

Judge

Judges 2:16-19 The book of Judges calls individual judges “deliverers” e.g., 3:9, 15.

Prince

Judges 5:15; 2 Samuel 3:38

Leader

Numbers 2:3-7,10-12; Judges 4:4; 1 Samuel 10:1

Military ranks

Commander

2 Samuel 2:8; Acts 24:22

Captain

Genesis 39:1; Judges 5:14; 2 Kings 1:9-13; Isaiah 3:3

Officer

1 Kings 4:5; Kings 9:22; 1 Chronicles 27:1; Acts 25:23

Centurion

Matthew 8:5; Acts 27:43

Civil ranks

Noble

Esther 1:3; Esther 2:18

Official

1 Chronicles 28:1; Jeremiah 52:10

Governor

1 Kings 4:7-19; Haggai 1:1; Acts 23:24

Tetrarch

Luke 3:1

Heads of clans/tribes

Joshua 14:1; 1 Kings 8:1

Heads of families

Numbers 7:2; Joshua 2:12-13

Division of labour involving different degrees of responsibility

Exodus 18:20-23

Rank was conferred as a reward

1 Samuel 18:5

Rank within the priesthood

The high priest

Leviticus 21:10; Numbers 35:25,28,32; Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 3:1; Luke 3:2

Priests

Exodus 28:1-2; Leviticus 8:5-12; Numbers 4:16; Joshua 22:31; 2 Kings 11:9

Levites

Exodus 32:26; Numbers 1:50; Deuteronomy 12:18-19; 2 Chronicles 11:13-14

Officers in the NT church

In contrast to the priesthood, offices within the NT Church are according to gifts; individuals with different gifts are listed but do not form a hierarchy:

Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:28-30; Ephesians 4:11

Even where there is a hint of rank, the qualities of both classes are very similar:

Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Some elders are worthy of double honour

1 Timothy 5:17 Comparison between verses 17 and 28 of Acts 20 shows that the same individuals could be called “elders”, “overseers” or “shepherds” (pastors).

All believers are called priests

1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6

Jesus Christ taught his disciples not to seek rank or status

Matthew 18:1-4 pp Mark 9:33-37 pp Luke 9:46-48