elders

Senior tribesmen of Israel. The elders performed tasks of local government and justice throughout the biblical period. Aspects of their function and historical importance can be seen in (Exod 18:13-17; Exod 24:1-11; Num 11:16-30; Judg 21:16-24; and 1Sam 8:1-9). In the NT, elders were either important Jewish leaders (Matt 15:2; Mark 14:43; Luke 7:3; Acts 4:8) or leaders in the nascent Christian communities (Acts 15:2; Acts 21:18; Titus 1:5; Jas 5:14; 1Pet 5:1), although the word can also mean simply an elderly person (1Tim 5:1; perhaps (1Pet 5:5).