Dictionaries :: Elder

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Elder:

a name frequently used in the Old Testament as denoting a person clothed with authority, and entitled to respect and reverence (Gen 50:7). It also denoted a political office (Num 22:7). The "elders of Israel" held a rank among the people indicative of authority. Moses opened his commission to them (Exd 3:16). They attended Moses on all important occasions. Seventy of them attended on him at the giving of the law (Exd 24:1). Seventy also were selected from the whole number to bear with Moses the burden of the people (Num 11:16,17). The "elder" is the keystone of the social and political fabric wherever the patriarchal system exists. At the present day this is the case among the Arabs, where the sheik (i.e., "the old man") is the highest authority in the tribe. The body of the "elders" of Israel were the representatives of the people from the very first, and were recognized as such by Moses. All down through the history of the Jews we find mention made of the elders as exercising authority among the people. They appear as governors (Deu 31:28), as local magistrates (16:18), administering justice (19:12). They were men of extensive influence (1Sa 30:26-31). In New Testament times they also appear taking an active part in public affairs (Mat 16:21; 21:23; 26:59).

The Jewish eldership was transferred from the old dispensation to the new. "The creation of the office of elder is nowhere recorded in the New Testament, as in the case of deacons and apostles, because the latter offices were created to meet new and special emergencies, while the former was transmitted from the earlies times. In other words, the office of elder was the only permanent essential office of the church under either dispensation."

The "elders" of the New Testament church were the "pastors" (Eph 4:11), "bishops or overseers" (Act 20:28), "leaders" and "rulers" (Hbr 13:7; 1Th 5:12) of the flock. Everywhere in the New Testament bishop and presbyter are titles given to one and the same officer of the Christian church. He who is called presbyter or elder on account of his age or gravity is also called bishop or overseer with reference to the duty that lay upon him (Tts 1:5-7; Act 20:17-28; Phl 1:1).

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Elder:

  Elder in the New Testament →

King James Dictionary

Elder: Older; Greater in Age.

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were ELDER than he. (Job 32:4)

Nave's Topical Bible

Elder: In the Mosaic System

Equivalent to the title Senator, in present use. Elders, with delegated powers, were authorized to act for their constituency,

Deu 1:13, 15.

See GOVERNMENT, MOSAIC

Elder: In the Christian Church

Act 11:29, 30; 14:23; 15:1-35; 16:4, 5; 20:17, 28-32; 21:18; 1Ti 4:14; 5:17-19; Tts 1:5-9; Hbr 11:2; Jam 5:14, 15; 1Pe 5:1-5; 2Jo 1:1; 3Jo 1:1

Elder: Apocalyptic Vision Of

Rev 4:4, 10; 5:5, 6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4.

See DEACON. Also see CHURCH, GOVERNMENT OF.

Thematic Subject Guide

Elder:

Act 14:23; Act 15:2; Act 15:22-23; Act 16:4; Act 20:171Ti 4:14; 1Ti 5:17-19Tts 1:5-9Jam 5:141Pe 5:1-5

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Elder:

The term elder, or old man as the Hebrew literally imports, was one of extensive use, as an official title, among the Hebrews and the surrounding nations, because the heads of tribes and the leading people who had acquired influence were naturally the older people of the nation. It had reference to various offices (Genesis 24:2; 50:7; 2 Samuel 12:17; Ezekiel 27:9). As betokening a political office, it applied not only to the Hebrews, but also to the Egyptians (Genesis 50:7) the Moabites and the Midianites (Numbers 22:7). The earliest notice of the elders acting in concert as a political body is at the time of the Exodus. They were the representatives of the people, so much so that elders and people are occasionally used as equivalent terms; (compare Joshua 24:1 with Joshua 24:2; 24:19; 24:21 and 1 Samuel 8:4 with 1 Samuel 8:7; 8:10; 8:19). Their authority was undefined, and extended to all matters concerning the public weal. Their number and influence may be inferred from 1 Samuel 30:26, ff. They retained their position under all the political changes which the Jews underwent. The seventy elders mentioned in Exodus and Numbers were a sort of governing body, a parliament, and the origin of the tribunal of seventy elders called the Sanhedrin or Council. In the New Testament Church the elders or presbyters were the same as the bishops. It was an office derived from the Jewish usage of elders or rulers of the synagogues. SEE [BISHOP].