In biblical contexts, the term "chieftain" refers to a leader or head of a tribe or clan, often associated with the governance and military leadership within the Israelite community. The role of a chieftain is significant in understanding the social and political structures of ancient Israel, as well as the broader Ancient Near Eastern context.

Old Testament References

The concept of a chieftain is most prominently seen in the organization of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe had its own leader, often referred to as a "prince" or "chieftain." These leaders were responsible for the administration of their respective tribes and played crucial roles in the collective decision-making processes of the nation.

In the Book of Numbers, the term "chieftain" is used to describe the leaders of the tribes. Numbers 1:16 states, "These were the men appointed from the congregation, the leaders of their ancestral tribes. They were the heads of the clans of Israel." Here, the chieftains are depicted as representatives of their tribes, chosen to assist Moses in the census and organization of the people.

The chieftains also had military responsibilities. In Numbers 2, the arrangement of the Israelite camp around the Tabernacle is described, with each tribe led by its chieftain. Numbers 2:3 mentions, "On the east side, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard, with the leader of the people of Judah being Nahshon son of Amminadab." This highlights the chieftain's role in leading their tribe in both spiritual and military matters.

Role and Responsibilities

Chieftains were not only military leaders but also held judicial and administrative authority. They were responsible for maintaining order and justice within their tribes, as seen in the case of Moses appointing leaders to help judge the people in Exodus 18:25 : "So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them heads over the people, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens."

The chieftains also played a role in religious observances. In Numbers 7, the leaders of the tribes brought offerings for the dedication of the altar. Numbers 7:2 states, "Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families, who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings."

Symbolism and Legacy

The role of the chieftain in Israelite society symbolizes leadership, responsibility, and service to the community. The chieftains were expected to lead by example, demonstrating faithfulness to God and commitment to the welfare of their people. Their leadership was integral to the unity and identity of the Israelite nation.

In a broader theological context, the chieftains can be seen as precursors to the kings of Israel, with their leadership roles foreshadowing the establishment of the monarchy. The transition from tribal chieftains to a centralized monarchy under Saul and David marks a significant development in Israel's history, reflecting the people's desire for a unified leadership under God's guidance.

Conclusion

The concept of a chieftain in the Bible provides insight into the governance and social structure of ancient Israel. Through their leadership, the chieftains played a vital role in the spiritual, military, and administrative life of the nation, serving as key figures in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with His people.(n.) A captain, leader, or commander; a chief; the head of a troop, army, or clan.8269. sar -- chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
... 8268, 8269. sar. 8270 . chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince.
Transliteration: sar Phonetic Spelling: (sar) Short Definition: princes. ...
/hebrew/8269.htm - 6k

1950. Homam -- a Horite
... Homam. From hamam; raging; Homam, an Edomitish chieftain -- Homam. Compare Heymam.
see HEBREW hamam. see HEBREW Heymam. 1949, 1950. Homam. 1951 . ...
/hebrew/1950.htm - 6k

6438. pinnah -- a corner
... bulwark, chief, corner, stay, tower. Feminine of pen; an angle; by implication,
a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain -- bulwark, chief, corner, stay, tower. ...
/hebrew/6438.htm - 6k

386. ethan -- perennial, ever-flowing, permanence
... Or (shortened) ethan {ay-thawn'}; from an unused root (meaning to continue); permanence;
hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain -- hard, mighty ...
/hebrew/386.htm - 6k

441. alluwph -- tame
... al-loof'}; from 'alph; familiar; a friend, also gentle; hence, a bullock (as being
tame; applied, although masculine, to a cow); and so, a chieftain (as notable ...
/hebrew/441.htm - 5k

6518. paraz -- perhaps warriors
... village. From an unused root meaning to separate, ie Decide; a chieftain -- village.
6517, 6518. paraz or perez. 6519 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6518.htm - 6k

The Doomed Three
... He would have carried his point almost from the first but for the countermining
efforts of Typhos and of the chieftain's wife, who had been won over by the ...
/.../chapter xxxi the doomed three.htm

The Goths
... Fanatically devoted to their heresy, they were willing to make common cause with
the Gothic chieftain, who fancied that even the diadem itself might not be ...
/.../gathering clouds a tale of the days of st chrysostom/chapter xxv the goths.htm

The Promised Land
... One sunset, shortly after his marriage, word came to the tent of Kenkenes that an
Amalekite chieftain on his way to Egypt had paused for the night just without ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

Gainas Meets his Doom
... Nudus pascit aves. Claud., In Ruf. ii.440. Such were the frightful tidings which
reached the Ostrogothic chieftain in his camp at the Hebdomon. ...
/.../chapter xxxiv gainas meets his.htm

The Preparations of the Greeks for Defense.
... The name by which such a chieftain was actually called by the people themselves,
in those days, was tyrannus, the name from which our word tyrant is derived. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter vii the preparations of.htm

February 4. "Lo, I am with You Alway" (Matt. xxviii. 20).
... olden days armies were engaged in contest. In the crisis of the battle
the chieftain fell wounded. His men were about to shrink ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /february 4 lo i am.htm

The Goths at Constantinople
... wife were in secret communication with the unworthy wife of Ga??nas, through whose
means they ceaselessly endeavoured to seduce the Gothic chieftain from all ...
/.../chapter xxx the goths at.htm

Affairs in the West
... But he kept his loyalty, and thereby so deeply disgusted the strong and savage Gothic
chieftain, Sarus, that he surprised Stilico's camp, killed his bodyguard ...
/.../chapter lxx affairs in the.htm

The First Kings.
... When the bondage in Egypt was broken, Moses was the deliverer and lawgiver of
Israel, and Joshua the great general or military chieftain. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Story of Histiaeus.
... Histiaeus was the Ionian chieftain who had been left in charge of the bridge of
boats across the Danube when Darius made his incursion into Scythia. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter x the story of.htm

Chieftain (2 Occurrences)
... (n.) A captain, leader, or commander; a chief; the head of a troop, army, or
clan. Multi-Version Concordance Chieftain (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/chieftain.htm - 7k

Government (20 Occurrences)
... A clan is a collection of families under a common chieftain, chosen for his personal
qualifications, such as prowess and generous hospitality. ...
/g/government.htm - 50k

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... This leaves David "a rude king in a semi-barbaric age," or, as Cheyne puts it,
"the versatile condottiere, chieftain, and king." It would seem more reasonable ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... This village is commonly known as Abu Ghosh, from the name of a robber chieftain
who, with his family, flourished there in the first half of the last century. ...
/k/kiriath-jearim.htm - 19k

Kiriathjearim
... This village is commonly known as Abu Ghosh, from the name of a robber chieftain
who, with his family, flourished there in the first half of the last century. ...
/k/kiriathjearim.htm - 13k

Naham (1 Occurrence)
... NAHAM. na'-ham (nacham, "comfort"): A Judahite chieftain, father of Keilah the Garmite
(1 Chronicles 4:19); the passage is obscure. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/n/naham.htm - 7k

Rekem (6 Occurrences)
... Alexandrinus Rhokom)). Like his companions, he is called a "king" in Numbers,
but a "prince" or "chieftain" in the passage in Josh. The ...
/r/rekem.htm - 11k

Eglon (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The bullock; place of heifers. (1.) Chieftain or
king of one of the Moabite tribes (Judges 3:12-14). Having ...
/e/eglon.htm - 13k

Mamre (10 Occurrences)
... Aner. 1. Biblical Data: The name of the grove of trees is evidently considered
as derived from this sheikh or chieftain. The "oaks ...
/m/mamre.htm - 16k

Chieftains (2 Occurrences)

/c/chieftains.htm - 7k

Chieftain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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