A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

BIBLE DICTIONARY + WORD STUDY

Elder

Original Hebrew / Aramaic / Greek connected to this term

How to read this: there is rarely one magic “true meaning” hidden behind an English word. A lexicon records a word’s semantic range. The intended meaning is narrowed by grammar, sentence, author, historical usage and context.

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H8269

שַׂר

sar — ruler

1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden

365 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H2205

זָקֵן

za.qen — old: elder

: elder/leader 1) old 1a) old (of humans) 1b) elder (of those having authority)

158 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G5043

τέκνον

teknon — child

τέκνον, -ου, τό (τίκτω), [in LXX chiefly for בֵּן, also for יֶלֶד, etc. ;] that which is begotten, born (cf. Scottish bairn), a child of either sex: Mrk.13:12, Luk.1:7, Act.7:5; pl., Mat.7:11, Mrk.7:27, Luk.1:17, Eph.6:1, al.; τέκνα ἐπαγγελίας, Rom.9:8; τ. τῆς σαρκός, ib.; in a wider sense (as Heb. בָּנִים), of posterity, Mat.2:18, Luk.3:8, al.; specif., of a male child, Mat.21:28, Act.21:21, a,l.; in voc. as a form of kindly address from an elder to a junior or from a teacher to a disciple, Mat.9:2 21:28, Mrk.2:5, Luk.2:48; τ. μου (= cl. τ. μοι; see Bl., §37, 5), Gal.4:19 (τεκνία, WH, txt.), 2Ti.2:1. Metaphorical, (a) of disciples (apart from direct address, see supr.): Phm 10, 1Ti.1:2, Tit.1:4, 3Jo.4; (b) with reference to the Fatherhood of God (see: πατήρ, γεννάω), τέκνα τ. θεοῦ (cf. Isa.30:1, Wis.16:21): Rom.8:16, Eph.5:1, Php.2:15; and esp. in Johannine bks. (cf. Westc, Epp. Jo., 94, 120), Jhn.1:12, 1Jn.3:1 al.; (with) of those who imitate others and are therefore regarded as the spiritual offspring of their exemplars: Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, Jhn.8:39, Rom.9:7, 1Pe.3:6; τ. διαβόλου, 1Jn.3:10; (d) as in Heb. (LXX, Jol.2:23, Psa.149:2, 1Ma.1:38), of the inhabitants of a city: Mat.23:37, Luk.13:34 19:44, Gal.4:25; (e) with an adjectival genitive, frequently rendering a Heb. expression, adopted from LXX or formed on the analogy of its language, but sometimes with parallels in Gk. writers (see Deiss., BS, 161ff.): τέκνα φωτός, Eph.5:8; τ. ὑπακοῆς, 1Pe.1:14; κατάρας, 2Pe.2:14; ὀργῆς, Eph.2:3. SYN.: see: παῖς. (AS)

91 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G4245

πρεσβύτερος

presbuteros — elder: Elder

πρέσβυς, -εως, ὁ poët. form of πρεσβύτης (which see), [in LXX (= πρεσβευτής, an ambassador): Num.21:20 (21), al. (מֲלְאָךְ), Isa.13:8 57:9 (צִיר), 1Ma.9:70, al. ;] an old man. Compar., πρεσβύτερος, -α, -ον, [in LXX chiefly for זָקֵן ;] 1. of age, elder: ὁ νἱὸς ὁ π., Luk.15:25; as subst., opposite to νεανίσκοι, Act.2:17; to νεώτερος, 1Ti.5:1-2; of the religious leaders of the past, Mat.15:2, Mrk.7:3, 5, Heb.11:2 (= οἱ πατέρες, Heb.1:1). 2. Of dignity, rank or office (as found in π. and Inscr. of civil and religious offices, including priesthood, in Asia Minor and in Egypt; see Deiss., BS, 154 ff., 233 If.; LAE, 373); (a) among Jews: Mat.16:21 26:47, 57 27:3, 12 27:20, 41 28:12, Mrk.8:31 11:27 14:43, 53 15:1, Luk.7:3 9:22 20:1 22:52, Jhn.8:9, Act.4:5, 8 4:23 6:12 23:14 24:1; τ. Ἰουνδαίων, Act.25:15; τ. λαοῦ, Mat.21:23 26:3 27:1; (b) among Christians: Act.11:30 14:23 15:2, 4 15:6, 22-23 16:4 21:18, 1Ti.5:17 5:19, Tit.1:5, II Jn 1, 3Jn.1, 1Pe.5:1 5:5; τ. ἐκκλησίας, Act.20:17, Jas.5:14; (with) in the visions of the Apocalypse: Rev.4:4, 10 5:5-6, 8 5:11, 14 7:11, 13 11:16 14:3 19:4. (On the NT use of this word and its relation to ἐπίσκοπος (which see), cf. Lft., Phi., 93 ff., 189 ff.; CGT, Past. Epp., lvi ff.) † (AS)

65 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H4317

מִיכָאֵל

mi.kha.el — Michael

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at Num.13.13; father of: Sethur (H5639) § Michael = "who is like God" 1) one of, the chief, or the first archangel who is described as the one who stands in time of conflict for the children of Israel 2) an Asherite, father of Sethur, one of the 12 spies of Israel 3) one of the Gadites who settled in the land of Bashan 4) another Gadite, ancestor of Abihail 5) a Gershonite Levite, ancestor of Asaph 6) one of the 5 sons of Izrahiah of the tribe of Issachar 7) a Benjamite of the sons of Beriah 8) one of the captains from Manasseh who joined David at Ziklag 9) father or ancestor of Omri, chief of the tribe of Issachar in the reign of David 10) one of the sons of Jehoshaphat who were murdered by their elder brother, Jehoram 11) father or ancestor of Zebadiah, of the sons of Shephatiah

13 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H4813

מִרְיָם

mir.yam — Miriam

A woman of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.15.20; daughter of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); sister of: Moses (H4872) and Aaron (H0175) § Miriam = "rebellion" 1) elder sister of Moses and Aaron 2) a woman of Judah

13 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H7868

שִׂיב

siv — be gray

1) to be gray, be hoary, be hoary-headed 1a) (P'al) elders (subst)

5 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G4244

πρεσβυτέριον

presbuterion — council of elders

πρεσβυτέριον, -ου, τό (πρεσβύτερος) [in LXX: Da TH Su 1:50 A * ;] a body of elders, presbytery: of the Sanhedrin (cf. συνέδριον), Luk.22:66, Act.22:5; of Christian presbyters, 1Ti.4:14.† (AS)

3 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H2970

יַאֲזַנְיָ֫הוּ

ya.a.zan.yah — Jaazaniah

A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.35.3; son of: Jeremiah (H3414N) § Jaazaniah = "Jehovah hears" 1) a Judean, son of the Maachathite, a captain of the Judean forces who visited Gedaliah at Mizpah after Gedaliah had been appointed governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar 2) son of Shaphan, an elder of Israel in the days of Ezekiel 3) son of Azur, one of the princes of the people against whom Ezekiel was directed to prophesy 4) a Rechabite, son of Jeremiah the prophet

3 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G1059

Γαμαλιήλ

Gamaliēl — Gamaliel

Γαμαλιήλ, ὁ (Heb. גַּמְלִיאֵל), Gamaliel the elder, a Pharisee and Doctor of the Law: Act.5:34 22:3.† (AS)

2 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G4243

πρεσβεύω

presbeuō — be ambassador

πρεσβεύω (πρέσβυς), 1. to be the elder, to take precedence. 2. to be an ambassador (see: πρεσβύτης): 2Co.5:20, Eph.6:20.† (AS)

2 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H419

אֶלְדָּד

el.dad — Eldad

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.11.26 § Eldad = "God has loved" one of the two elders who prophesied in the Israelite camp

2 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H4312

מֵידָד

me.dad — Medad

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.11.26 § Medad = "love" one of the 70 elders to whom was communicated the prophetic power of Moses and who prophesied in the camp of the Israelites in the wilderness

2 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G1087

γερουσία

gerousia — council of elders

γερουσία, -ας, ἡ (γέρων), [in LXX (Hex. only in OT) for זָקֵן ;] a council of elders, senate; in NT, of the Sanhedrin (Cl. Rev., i, 43f.; DB, ext., 99): Act.5:21.† (AS)

1 tagged verse occurrence · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G8880

πρεσβεῖον

presbeion — senior

1. a gift of honour , such as was offered to elders, (Iliad by Homer) 2. the privilege of age , and generally, a privilege , (Plato Philosophus), etc. 3. the right of the eldest, his share of the inheritance , (Demosthenes Orator) (ML)

0 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

GREEK · G8881

πρέσβυς

presbus — an ambassador

1. an old man , Lat. senex, (the prose form is πρεσβύτης); (Sophocles Tragicus):—; ὁ πρέσβυς is used much like ὁ πρεσβύτερος, the elder , (Aeschulus Tragicus):—;plural πρέσβεις, elders , always implying dignity, chiefs, princes , (Aeschulus Tragicus); epic πρέσβηες (Hesiod) 2. (Homer) uses only the comparative and Sup., comparative πρεσβύτερος, α, ον, elder, older , (Iliad by Homer), attic; ἐνιαυτῷ by a year, (Aristophanes Comicus); βουλαὶ πρεσβύτεραι the wise councils of age , (Pindar);—;Sup. πρεσβύτατος, η, ον, eldest , (Iliad by Homer), etc.: —;the comparative and Sup. were used of things, πρεσβύτερόν τι (or οὐδὲν); ἔχειν = Lat. aliquid (or nihil) antiquius habere, to deem higher, more important , τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ πρεσβύτερα ποιεῖσθαι ἢ τὰ τῶν ἀνδρῶν (Herdotus Historicus); πρεσβύτατον κρίνειν τι (Thucydides); πρεσβυτέρως γυμναστικὴν μουσικῆς τετιμηκέναι more highly than . . , (Plato Philosophus): —;hence, merely of magnitude, πρεσβύτερον κακὸν κακοῦ one evil greater than another, (Sophocles Tragicus) 3. like πρεσβευτής, an ambassador , (Aeschulus Tragicus);—;plural πρέσβεις is more used than πρεσβευταί, (Aristophanes Comicus), etc. 4. a chief, president : comparative πρεσβύτερος, an elder of the Jewish Council , (New Testament), etc.: an elder of the Church, presbyter , (New Testament) (ML)

0 tagged verse occurrences · see every occurrence →

Historical dictionary entry

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 (Ex. 3:16). They attended Moses on all important occasions. Seventy of them attended on him at the giving of the law (Ex. 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 (Deut. 31:28), as local magistrates (16:18), administering justice (19:12). They were men of extensive influence (1 Sam. 30:26-31). In New Testament times they also appear taking an active part in public affairs (Matt. 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” (Acts 20:28), “leaders” and “rulers” (Heb. 13:7; 1 Thess. 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 (Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17-28; Phil. 1:1).

Scripture references

Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897). Historical dictionary wording reflects the scholarship and language of its era.

Compare other reference traditions

Look up Elder in Smith’s Bible Dictionary and ISBE →