An adviser, in biblical terms, is an individual who provides counsel, guidance, or wisdom to another, often in matters of governance, personal conduct, or spiritual direction. The role of an adviser is significant throughout the Scriptures, as wise counsel is highly valued and often seen as a blessing from God.

Old Testament Examples

In the Old Testament, advisers are frequently mentioned in the context of royal courts. One of the most notable advisers is Ahithophel, who served King David. Ahithophel's counsel was highly esteemed, as noted in 2 Samuel 16:23: "Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was like one who inquires of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom."

Another prominent example is Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, who advised Moses on the delegation of judicial responsibilities to capable men, thus easing his burden (Exodus 18:17-24). Jethro's advice was practical and wise, demonstrating the importance of seeking counsel to manage leadership responsibilities effectively.

Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs frequently emphasizes the value of wise counsel. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This highlights the biblical principle that seeking advice from multiple sources can lead to better decision-making and stability.

Proverbs 15:22 further reinforces this idea: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." The wisdom literature underscores the necessity of advisers in achieving successful outcomes and avoiding pitfalls.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the role of advisers is less formalized but still present. The apostles often acted as advisers to the early church, providing guidance on theological and practical matters. For instance, in Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council, composed of apostles and elders, provided crucial advice on the issue of Gentile believers and the Mosaic Law.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently offers advice to the churches and individuals he addresses. In 1 Corinthians 4:14, Paul writes, "I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children." Here, Paul acts as a spiritual adviser, guiding the Corinthian church in matters of faith and conduct.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In the Christian life, the Holy Spirit is considered the ultimate adviser. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "Counselor" or "Helper" in John 14:26: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit provides believers with divine guidance, wisdom, and understanding, surpassing human counsel.

Conclusion

The role of an adviser in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing practical, spiritual, and moral guidance. Whether through human counselors or the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures consistently affirm the value of seeking and heeding wise advice.(n.) One who advises.4825. sumboulos -- a counselor
... a counselor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sumboulos Phonetic
Spelling: (soom'-boo-los) Short Definition: an adviser, counselor Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4825.htm - 7k

1010. bouleutes -- a councilor
... counselor. From bouleuo; an adviser, ie (specially) a councillor or member
of the Jewish Sanhedrin -- counsellor. see GREEK bouleuo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1010.htm - 6k

302. Achithophel -- an adviser of David
... 301, 302. Achithophel. 303 . an adviser of David. Transliteration: Achithophel
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-tho'-fel) Short Definition: Ahithophel. ...
/hebrew/302.htm - 6k

4828. merea -- friend, companion
... Word Origin from raah Definition friend, companion NASB Word Usage adviser (1),
companion (3), companions (1), friends (2). companion, friend. ...
/hebrew/4828.htm - 6k

Epistle xxxiv. To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse .
... All things should be considered with friends, but the friends themselves should
be considered first." But, if in thy case thou seekest an adviser, take me, I ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxiv to venantius ex-monk.htm

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
... substituting, with more or less reserve, a Frenchman, de Rubay; and d'Oysel, the
commander of the French troops in Scotland, was her chief adviser. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter vii knox in scotland .htm

To what an Extent the Christian Truth Has Been Assailed by Rash ...
... wished to weaken the grounds of that religion against which he was pleading, he
appeared senseless, vain, and ridiculous; because that weighty adviser of the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ii to what an extent.htm

In the Desert
... What wilt thou with her?". "For the harem of the Pharaoh's chief adviser," the man
retorted. ... Do thou save thyself and send the chief adviser after her. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xix in the desert.htm

Introduction
... clearness from his Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (1515-1516), which is
accessible since 1908; nor what he had urged as spiritual adviser of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/introduction.htm

Preface.
... Hence, she stands in need of a true friend, a faithful adviser, on whom she can
depend for safe instruction, and to whom she can have recourse as often as need ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/preface.htm

The Great Council
... Arius. They were but a small number, it is true, yet Eusebius was the adviser
of Constantine and the friend of his sister Constantia. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 3 the great council.htm

The Bishop at Work
... brother John, whom he had tried to bribe into fidelity, and a little lame, black
foreigner, Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, who had been adviser, schemer, general ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter v the bishop at.htm

Thoughts for the Clergy on the Amusement Question.
... Young girls, who come from quiet country homes to seek employment, cast adrift on
these surging tides of life without a friend or an adviser, readily fall ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/thoughts for the clergy on.htm

Introduction.
... years were passed in peace, in a cell, near a monastery of Cistercian nuns at Hampole,
where the nuns supported him, while he acted as their spiritual adviser. ...
/.../rolle/the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/introduction.htm

Adviser (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who advises. Multi-Version Concordance
Adviser (3 Occurrences). Genesis 26:26 Then Abimelech went ...
/a/adviser.htm - 7k

Counsellor (16 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An adviser (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22), a king's state
counsellor (2 Samuel 15:12). Used once of the Messiah ...
/c/counsellor.htm - 12k

Counsel (192 Occurrences)
... of consultation and deliberation among those united in a common cause (Matthew
12:14 Mark 3:6). A counselor (sumboulos) is a confidential adviser (Romans 11:34 ...
/c/counsel.htm - 39k

Advisement (1 Occurrence)

/a/advisement.htm - 9k

Advisers (22 Occurrences)

/a/advisers.htm - 13k

Ira (6 Occurrences)
... (2.) An Ithrite, also one of David's heroes (2 Samuel 23:38). (3.) A Jairite and
priest, a royal chaplain (2 Samuel 20:26) or confidential adviser (Comp. ...
/i/ira.htm - 10k

Eleazar (74 Occurrences)
... gave effect to the decision arrived at by giving the daughters of Zelophehad a share
in the land of Manasseh (Joshua 17:4). He was priest and adviser to Joshua ...
/e/eleazar.htm - 39k

Phinehas (24 Occurrences)
... Israel. Phinehas was afterwards the chief adviser in the war with the Benjamites.
He is commemorated in Psalm 106:30, 31. (see ED.). ...
/p/phinehas.htm - 20k

Counselor (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who counsels; an adviser. 2. (n.) A member
of council; one appointed to advise a sovereign or chief magistrate. ...
/c/counselor.htm - 12k

Assessor
... 3. (n.) One who sits by another, as next in dignity, or as an assistant and adviser;
an associate in office. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ASSESSOR. ...
/a/assessor.htm - 9k

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