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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Old
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A fine description of the decrepitude of old age is contained in Ecc_12:5 sq., The ancient Hebrews, in obedience to a natural feeling, and because of their superior moral discipline, entertained the highest regard for the aged (Job_12:12; Job_15:10); and this sentiment still prevails throughout the East (Rosenmüller, Morgenland, 2:208 sq.; Descript. de ‘Egypte,. 18:174 sq.), as it did among all ancient nations (Homer, I. 23:788; Isocr. A rop. p. 354,355; Diog. Laert. 1:3, 2; 8:1, 19; Herod. 2:80; Juvenal, Sat. 13:54; Aul. Gell. 2:15; Strabo, 11:503; Justin, 3:3, 9; Doughteei Analect. 1:84; see C. Kretzschmar, De Senectute Priscis Ionorata [Dresd. 1784]), although in Europe, as the power of.education has increased, and the circumstances of life have become more complicated. the honor given to age has decreased. (But comp. Ebert, Ueberliefer, 2:1, p. 90 sq.) The young were accustomed to rise and give place modestly, whenever an old person approached (Lev_19:32; AElian, Anim. 6:61. Herod. ut sup.; comp. also Job_29:8; Otho, Lex. Rabbin. — p. 686). Want of reverence for the aged was severely rebuked (Deu_28:50; Lam_5:12; Wis_2:10), and moralists often inculcated peculiar, obligations to the old (Pro_23:22; Sir_3:13; Sir_6:35; Sir_8:7; Sir_32:13). The Essenes were especially zealous in their regard for the old (Philo, Opp. 2:459, 633). The salutation “father” was frequently addressed to aged men among the Hebrews, as also among the Greeks and Romans (comp. Heindorf, On Horat. Sat. 2:1, 12); but it appears in the Bible rather as an expression of respect, or as applied to holy men (2Ki_6:21; 2Ki_13:14). From the earliest times the Hebrews chose their officers and judges from the old men of the nation. While yet in Egypt they had elders to represent the people (Exo_3:16; Exo_4:29; Exo_12:21; comp. Exo_17:5; Exo_18:12), and Moses himself appointed a college of seventy “elders” (Num_6:16; but comp. Exo_24:1; Exo_24:9) to aid him in ruling. From this time the Israelites always had “elders,” sometimes of the whole nation (Jos_7:6; Jos_23:2; 1Sa_4:3; 1Sa_8:4; 2Sa_3:17; 2Sa_5:3; 2Sa_17:4; 1Ki_8:1; 1Ki_8:3; Jer_19:1; Jer_29:1), sometimes of single tribes (Deu_31:28; 2Sa_19:11; 2Ch_34:29), who however were distinct from the princes and officers of tribes and provinces (Deu_29:10; Jdg_11:5), and sometimes only of cities (Deu_19:12; Deu_21:3; Deu_21:6; Deu_22:15; 1Sa_11:3; 1Sa_16:4; 1Ki_21:8; 1Ki_21:11; Ezr_10:14; 2Ma_14:37; comp. Jdg_8:14). In the ceremonial order of sacrifice, also, they were representatives of the people for certain purposes (Lev_4:15; Lev_9:1).
The elders of the city formed a council, with judicial and police authority (Deu_22:15 sq.; Deu_25:7 sq.; Rth_4:2 sq.; Jdt_10:7), which held its sessions at the gates (Job_29:7). Yet other judges .are sometimes mentioned (Ezr_10:14; comp. Susan. 5; and SEE JUDGE ). The elders of the people and of the tribes were the constitutional representatives of the people under the kings (1Ki_8:1; 1Ki_20:7; 2 Kings 28:1). They still retained their functions during the Captivity (Eze_14:1; Eze_20:7), and after the restoration to Palestine were the medium of communication between the people and their foreign rulers (Ezr_5:9; Ezr_6:7), and even until the time of the Maccabees were a tribunal of general resort in the internal affairs of the nation (Ezr_6:14; Ezr_10:8; 1Ma_12:6; 1Ma_12:35; 1Ma_13:36; 1Ma_14:9). It does not appear, however, that the “elders” were always in reality the oldest men; superior ability and personal influence were qualifications for this position, even apart from advanced age, so that gradually the word elder ( æָ÷ֵï zaken) passed into a mere title, belonging of course to the office (comp. Philo, Opp. 1:393), just as the word ãÝñùí in the Grecian states (as in Sparta, Wachsmuth, Hel. Alt. 1:463), senator in Rome, and elder in the Protestant churches (comp. Gesen. Thesaur. p. 427 sq.). In the New Testament the elders of the people (Mat_26:47; Luk_7:3; called “the senate of the children of Israel” [ ãåñðéóßá ôῶí õἱῶí É᾿óñáήë ], Act_5:21) usually appear as composing, in connection with the high-priests and scribes. the Jewish Sanhedrim (Mat_26:3; Mat_26:47; Mat_27:1 sq.; Mar_14:43; Mar_15:1; Luk_22:66; Act_4:5; Act_5:21). SEE SANHEDRIM. After the model of the Jewish synagogue, at the head of which stood the elders, the apostles appointed elders also in the several churches (called the “presbytery,” 1Ti_4:14; see Act_11:30; Act_14:23; Act_15:2 sq.; Act_16:4). SEE AGE; SEE ELDERS; SEE PRESBYTERY.