Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7700 Leadership and the people of God » 7718 elders » 7719 elders, as community leaders
Since older men act as responsible leaders in many communities, “elder” is used as the title for a recognised leader.
Elders in early Israel
Elders represented their people
Exodus 19:7 See also Exodus 3:16; Exodus 4:29; Exodus 12:21-28; Exodus 24:1
Elders assisted Moses
Numbers 11:16-17 See also Exodus 18:21-26; Numbers 11:24-25
Elders met in a national assembly
Joshua 23:2; Joshua 24:1; Judges 21:16
Elders functioned as judges, sometimes in the town gate
Deuteronomy 19:11-12; Judges 8:14; Ruth 4:1-12
Elders during the period of the monarchy
Tribal and town elders
1 Samuel 30:26-31; 2 Kings 10:5; Kings 23:1; Jeremiah 19:1
Elders were local representatives at national functions
1 Kings 8:1
Elders advised the king
1 Kings 12:6-8
Elders functioned as judges at the town gate
Proverbs 31:23 See also 1 Kings 21:8-14
Elders in Israel during and after the exile
Ezra 10:8,14; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 14:1; Ezekiel 20:1-3
Elders in NT Jewish society
Elders were local town and synagogue leaders
Mark 5:22; Luke 7:1-5
Elders were members of the Sanhedrin
Mark 15:1 See also Matthew 5:22
Elders were guardians of religious traditions
Matthew 15:1-2 pp Mark 7:5 See also Mark 7:3
The elders' rejection of Jesus Christ predicted by him
Matthew 16:21 pp Mark 8:31 pp Luke 9:22
The involvement of the elders in the trial and condemnation of Jesus Christ
Matthew 27:1 pp Mark 15:1
The elders' involvement with the first Christians
See also Acts 4:5,8,23; Acts 5:21; Acts 6:12; Acts 23:14; Acts 25:15
See also
2545 Christ, opposition to 2585 Christ, trial 5358 judges 5359 justice 5375 law 5509 rulers 5727 old age, attitudes 7330 chief priests 7464 teachers of the law 7565 Sanhedrin 7733 leaders
