Elder(presbyter)
“Aged, elder; Greek presbyteros, from which 'priest' and 'presbyter' derive”
Summary
A term designating senior members of a community who exercised leadership and authority, used throughout Scripture for both Jewish governing officials and Christian church officers.
☩Old Testament Usage
The term elder designated those of advanced age, and because older persons naturally held positions of influence, it came to denote official leadership regardless of actual age. Elders existed as a governing body among the Hebrews before the Exodus, as Moses was directed to speak to them as representatives of the nation. They accompanied Moses before Pharaoh and attended him at the giving of the law. Seventy elders were selected to assist Moses in bearing the burden of the people, forming what some consider the precedent for the Sanhedrin. After settlement in Canaan, elders served as national representatives, tribal governors, and local magistrates who sat in the gate to administer justice. They retained their position through every political change—under judges, kings, during captivity, and after the return.
☩In the Time of Christ
In the Gospels, 'elders' refers primarily to members of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council. They appear alongside chief priests and scribes as one of the three classes composing this body, representing the lay or popular element. Luke describes the whole assembly as 'the presbytery' (presbyterion). They took an active role in opposing Jesus, participating in His arrest, trial, and condemnation, and later in persecuting His followers. The term occasionally retains its general sense of 'older persons' or 'men of former generations' whose traditions were handed down.
☩In the Christian Church
Elder (presbyteros) was probably the earliest title, after apostle, for a Christian official. The office was borrowed naturally from the synagogue, especially as whole synagogues sometimes embraced Christianity along with their officers. Paul ordained elders in every church on his first missionary journey. In the New Testament, elder and bishop (episkopos) appear to be equivalent titles for the same office, as shown by Paul's address to the Ephesian elders whom he also calls bishops or overseers. Their duties included teaching, ruling, and caring for the flock of God. Peter addresses fellow elders as one himself, exhorting them to shepherd willingly rather than for gain, as examples rather than lords over God's people.
☩The Twenty-Four Elders
In Revelation's heavenly visions, twenty-four elders sit enthroned around God, clothed in white with golden crowns. They fall before the throne in worship, casting their crowns before Him who lives forever. These elders represent the combined heads of the Old and New Testament congregations—the twelve patriarchs and twelve apostles—answering to the twenty-four courses of priests who served in the temple. They participate in the heavenly liturgy, offering the prayers of the saints and singing the new song of redemption to the Lamb.
Related Verses202 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Elder," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Elder," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Elder," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Elder," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Elder," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).