Elder: Difference between revisions
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The exact origin of the Israelite system of elders is not explicitly stated in the [[Bible]]. However, the first mention of elders in Israel appears during the time of [[Moses]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A16&version=NIV |title=Exodus 3:16 |quote= }}</ref> when they served as tribal leaders and representatives of their people. Similar systems existed outside Israel as well; the Bible refers to the “elders of [[Pharaoh]]’s court,”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+50%3A7-8&version=NIV |title=Genesis 50:7–8 |quote= }}</ref> and the elders of Moab and Midian acted as spokespersons for Balak, the king of Moab.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+22%3A4-7&version=NIV |title=Numbers 22:4–7 |quote= }}</ref> These references suggest that elders were widely recognized as a leadership class in the ancient Near East. | The exact origin of the Israelite system of elders is not explicitly stated in the [[Bible]]. However, the first mention of elders in Israel appears during the time of [[Moses]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A16&version=NIV |title=Exodus 3:16 |quote= }}</ref> when they served as tribal leaders and representatives of their people. Similar systems existed outside Israel as well; the Bible refers to the “elders of [[Pharaoh]]’s court,”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+50%3A7-8&version=NIV |title=Genesis 50:7–8 |quote= }}</ref> and the elders of Moab and Midian acted as spokespersons for Balak, the king of Moab.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+22%3A4-7&version=NIV |title=Numbers 22:4–7 |quote= }}</ref> These references suggest that elders were widely recognized as a leadership class in the ancient Near East. | ||
During the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Canaan, the elders played a key role in guiding the people alongside Moses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A18&version=NIV |title=Exodus 3:18 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+12%3A21&version=NIV |title=Exodus 12:21 |quote= }}</ref> After the [[The Exodus|Exodus]], seventy elders were appointed to assist Moses throughout the [[Life in Desert|wilderness journey]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+24%3A1&version=NIV |title=Exodus 24:1 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+11%3A16-17&version=NIV |title=Numbers 11:16–17 |quote= }}</ref> Their leadership also extended into religious practices: When the whole assembly sinned against [[God]]’s command and became aware of their guilt, the elders laid their hands on a young bull before the Tent of Meeting, slaughtered it, and gave its blood to the anointed [[priest]] for the [[Sacrifices in the Old Testament#Sin Offering|sin offering]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+4%3A15&version=NIV |title=Leviticus 4:15 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+9%3A1-2&version=NIV |title=Leviticus 9:1–2 |quote= }}</ref> Once the Israelites settled in Canaan, the elders continued to function as city representatives, managing administrative, judicial, and other public affairs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+21%3A1-2&version=NIV |title=Deuteronomy 21:1–2 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+21%3A18-21&version=NIV |title=Deuteronomy 21:18–21 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+4%3A9&version=NIV |title=Ruth 4:9 |quote= }}</ref> | During the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Canaan, the elders played a key role in guiding the people alongside Moses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A18&version=NIV |title=Exodus 3:18 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+12%3A21&version=NIV |title=Exodus 12:21 |quote= }}</ref> After the [[The Exodus|Exodus]], seventy elders were appointed to assist Moses throughout the [[Life in the Desert|wilderness journey]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+24%3A1&version=NIV |title=Exodus 24:1 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+11%3A16-17&version=NIV |title=Numbers 11:16–17 |quote= }}</ref> Their leadership also extended into religious practices: When the whole assembly sinned against [[God]]’s command and became aware of their guilt, the elders laid their hands on a young bull before the Tent of Meeting, slaughtered it, and gave its blood to the anointed [[priest]] for the [[Sacrifices in the Old Testament#Sin Offering|sin offering]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+4%3A15&version=NIV |title=Leviticus 4:15 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+9%3A1-2&version=NIV |title=Leviticus 9:1–2 |quote= }}</ref> Once the Israelites settled in Canaan, the elders continued to function as city representatives, managing administrative, judicial, and other public affairs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+21%3A1-2&version=NIV |title=Deuteronomy 21:1–2 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+21%3A18-21&version=NIV |title=Deuteronomy 21:18–21 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+4%3A9&version=NIV |title=Ruth 4:9 |quote= }}</ref> | ||
*'''Elders in the Kingdom Era''' | *'''Elders in the Kingdom Era''' | ||
After the establishment of the monarchy, the authority of the elders was somewhat reduced, but they continued to hold significant roles as representatives of the people. They participated in the appointment of kings<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+3%3A17-18&version=NIV |title=2 Samuel 3:17–18 |quote= }}</ref> and served as royal advisors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+12%3A6-7&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 12:6–7 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+20%3A7-8&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 20:7–8 |quote= }}</ref> During [[Solomon]]’s reign, the elders were involved in the transfer of the [[Ark of the Covenant|ark of the covenant]] to the [[temple]] in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+8%3A1-11&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 8:1–11 |quote= }}</ref> The elder system persisted through the [[Babylonian Captivity#Babylonian Captivity|Babylonian exile]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A1&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 29:1 |quote= }}</ref> Following the return from exile, the elders took the lead in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+5%3A2-5&version=NIV |title=Ezra 5:2–5 |quote= }}</ref> and supported the prophet [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]]<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ezra-Hebrew-religious-leader Ezra], ''Britannica''</ref> in guiding the people toward repentance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+10%3A8%2C&version=NIV |title=Ezra 10:8, 14 |quote= }}</ref> However, not all elders remained faithful—some were rebuked by God for oppressing the people or leading them astray.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+3%3A14-15&version=NIV |title=Isaiah 3:14–15 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A13&version=NIV |title=Isaiah 9:13 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+8%3A11-12&version=NIV |title=Ezekiel 8:11–12 |quote= }}</ref> | After the establishment of the monarchy, the authority of the elders was somewhat reduced, but they continued to hold significant roles as representatives of the people. They participated in the appointment of kings<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+3%3A17-18&version=NIV |title=2 Samuel 3:17–18 |quote= }}</ref> and served as royal advisors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+12%3A6-7&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 12:6–7 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+20%3A7-8&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 20:7–8 |quote= }}</ref> During [[Solomon]]’s reign, the elders were involved in the transfer of the [[Ark of the Covenant|ark of the covenant]] to the [[temple]] in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+8%3A1-11&version=NIV |title=1 Kings 8:1–11 |quote= }}</ref> The elder system persisted through the [[Babylonian Captivity#Babylonian Captivity|Babylonian exile]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A1&version=NIV |title=Jeremiah 29:1 |quote= }}</ref> Following the return from exile, the elders took the lead in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+5%3A2-5&version=NIV |title=Ezra 5:2–5 |quote= }}</ref> and supported the prophet [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]]<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ezra-Hebrew-religious-leader Ezra], ''Britannica''</ref> in guiding the people toward repentance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+10%3A8%2C&version=NIV |title=Ezra 10:8, 14 |quote= }}</ref> However, not all elders remained faithful—some were rebuked by God for oppressing the people or leading them astray.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+3%3A14-15&version=NIV |title=Isaiah 3:14–15 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A13&version=NIV |title=Isaiah 9:13 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+8%3A11-12&version=NIV |title=Ezekiel 8:11–12 |quote= }}</ref> | ||