| 1. elder, of age,
1) the elder of two people 2) advanced in life, an elder, a senior 1b1. forefathers 2. a term of rank or office 1) among the Jews 2a1. members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men) 2a2. of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice 2) among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably 3) the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God |