Were There Elders in the Old Testament?
A brother asked an interesting and insightful question. “I understand the concept of leadership in the New Testament is represented through the eldership. Were there elders in the Old Testament as well?” We will dig into the answer because you asked for it.
Throughout the histories of civilizations, people naturally tended to invest authority and respect into those who by age had more experience – and hopefully, wisdom. The Hebrew word translated “elder” simply means “beard.’ As a man aged past early adulthood, he gained the respect of others and earned the right to possess the beard.
Also tied to the concept of the word was the root which meant the color hoary, or grey-ish white. Solomon contemplated “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31 NIV).
Early Elders in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, we read of the term used in a variety of cultures. The book of Genesis records (Genesis 50:7) concerning the elders of Egypt. In Numbers 22:7, we learn of the elders of Midian and Moab. As the heads of families, they had accumulated wealth and influence and were able to command authority.
Elders then were of an advanced age, probably more than the average age of the group. Through time they had become men of social standing and influence. In Exodus 18, Moses finds himself overwhelmed by the amount of work of counsel and judgment placed upon him as the leader of the people of Israel. His father-in-law Jethro alarmed by the workload as well, noticed that the tasks included judging disputes and teaching the Law to the people (Exodus 18:16). He asked Moses, “Why do you have to do this alone?”
The Advice of Jethro
Jethro suggested that Moses pick people to help him (Exodus 18:21-23). These “men of might” were to have the qualities of piety, veracity, and an incorruptible honesty. These men were to have a fear of God, humility, and respect for the Word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6, James 4:10, Revelation 22:18-19).
The term seems handed down through the times of the Judges (Judges 2:7, 8:16). King Saul asked for honor from among the elders (1 Samuel 15:30). Elders appeared before Samuel (1 Samuel 16:4), David (2 Samuel 17:15, 1 Chronicles 11:3), and Solomon (1 Kings 8:3). The term continues usage through the life of Jesus before the church comes into being (Matthew 16:21, 26:47, 57, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22).
In the arena of government, the elders in the Old Testament made decisions settling disputes among the people. In society, they were the men who would share their understanding of Scripture and the Law, coupled with advice gained through wisdom and experience. It sets the stage nicely for understanding the role elders are to play within the church.
Hope this helps.