Topical Bible: Council

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Smith's Bible Dictionary

Council

The great council of the Sanhedrin, which sat at Jerusalem. [SANHEDRIN]
The lesser courts, (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9) of which there were two at Jerusalem and one in each town of Palestine. The constitution of these courts is a doubtful point. The existence of local courts, however constituted, is clearly implied in the passages quoted from the New Testament; and perhaps the "judgment," (Matthew 5:21) applies to them.
A kind of jury or privy council, (Acts 25:12) consisting of a certain number of assessors, who assisted Roman governors in the administration of justice and in other public matters.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Council

Is occasionally taken for any kind of assembly; sometimes for that of the Sanhedrin; at others, for a convention of pastors met to regulate ecclesiastical affairs. Thus the assembly of the apostles, etc., at Jerusalem, Acts 15:1-41, to determine whether the yoke of the law should be imposed on gentile converts, is commonly reputed to be the first council of the Christian church. See SANHEDRIN.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Spoken of counsellors who sat in public trials with the governor of a province (Acts 25:12).

The Jewish councils were the Sanhedrim, or supreme council of the nation, which had subordinate to it smaller tribunals (the "judgment, " perhaps, in Matthew 5:21, 22) in the cities of Palestine (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9). In the time of Christ the functions of the Sanhedrim were limited (John 16:2; 2 Corinthians 11:24). In Psalm 68:27 the word "council" means simply a company of persons. (R.V. marg., "company.")

In ecclesiastical history the word is used to denote an assembly of pastors or bishops for the discussion and regulation of church affairs. The first of these councils was that of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, of which we have a detailed account in Acts 15.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for consultation in a critical case.

2. (n.) A body of man elected or appointed to constitute an advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's council; a city council.

3. (n.) Act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

APOSTOLICAL COUNCIL

ap-os-tol'-i-kal koun'-sil: The assembly of the apostles and elders held in Jerusalem (49 A.D.), an account of which is given in Acts 15.

COUNCIL; COUNCILLOR

koun'-sil, koun'-siler (sumboulion): An assembly of advisers (Acts 25:12); a body of those taking counsel (see Schurer's Jewish People in the Time of Christ, I (1), 60). Distinguished from sunedrion, the supreme court of the Jews, by being of a less formal character, i.e. less of an institution. For "council" in the latter sense, its most frequent use, see SANHEDRIN. A councilor (Greek bouleutes) was a member of the Sanhedrin. Applied to Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43 Luke 23:50). In the King James Version "counsellor."

Greek

4892. sunedrion -- a sitting together, hence a council, spec. the ...
... a sitting together, hence a council, spec. ... Word Origin from sun and the same as
hedraios Definition a sitting together, hence a council, spec. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4892.htm - 8k

4824. sumboulion -- counsel, by impl. a council
... a council. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: sumboulion Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-boo'-lee-on) Short Definition: a council, advice Definition: (a) a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4824.htm - 6k

1087. gerousia -- a council of elders
... a council of elders. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: gerousia Phonetic
Spelling: (gher-oo-see'-ah) Short Definition: body of elders Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1087.htm - 6k

1010. bouleutes -- a councilor
... a councilor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: bouleutes Phonetic
Spelling: (bool-yoo-tace') Short Definition: a member of a city council, of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1010.htm - 6k

4244. presbuterion -- a body of elders
... Cognate: 4244 -- properly, a council (group) of elders; a serving a local church
who lead (feed, shepherd) the people of the Lord (cf. 1 Tim 4:14). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4244.htm - 7k

698. Areopagites -- a judge of the court of Areopagus
... Areopagus. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Areopagites Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-eh-op-ag-ee'-tace) Short Definition: member of the Council of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/698.htm - 6k

4245. presbuteros -- elder
... of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist
(also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4245.htm - 7k

4410. protokathedria -- the chief seat
... chief seat. From protos and kathedra; a sitting first (in the front row), ie
Preeminence in council -- chief (highest, uppermost) seat. see GREEK protos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4410.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

5475. sod -- council, counsel
... 5474, 5475. sod. 5476 . council, counsel. Transliteration: sod Phonetic
Spelling: (sode) Short Definition: council. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/5475.htm - 6k

7277. rigmah -- a heap (of stones), crowd (of people)
... council. Feminine of the same as Regem; a pile (of stones), ie (figuratively) a
throng -- council. see HEBREW Regem. 7276, 7277. rigmah. 7278 . ...
/hebrew/7277.htm - 6k

Library

The Council of Nic??a.
... Section 6. The Council of Nic??a. ... A description of the opening scenes of
the Council is given in his Vita Constantini, III.10 sq. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/section 6 the council of.htm

Council of Constantinople.
... Council of Constantinople. ad382. The Synodical Letter. [238]. ... This rightful
ordination also received the sanction of the General Council. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/council of constantinople.htm

The Council of Ephesus. ...
... Chapter XXX. The Council of Ephesus.? The Council of Ephesus. [79.] These
then are the men whose writings, whether as judges or ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxx the council of.htm

Council of Nic??a.
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Council of Nic??a. Letter of Eusebius of C??sarea
to the people of his Diocese [413] . ... The Faith dictated in the Council. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/council of nicaea.htm

The Council of Sardica.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. The Council of Sardica. ad343 or 344.
Emperors."Constantius and Constans. Pope."Julius I. Elenchus. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the council of sardica.htm

The Capitula of the Council.
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. The Capitula
of the Council. (Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. V., col.568.) I. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the capitula of the council.htm

The Council of Neoc??sarea.
... Synods. The Council of Neoc??sarea. ad315 (circa). (Hefele thinks somewhat
later, but before 325.). Elenchus. Historical Note. The ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the council of neocaesarea.htm

The Council of Gangra.
... The Council of Gangra. ad325-381. Emperor."Constantine. Elenchus. Historical
Introduction. Synodal Letter. The Canons with the Ancient Epitome and Notes. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the council of gangra.htm

The Council of Ancyra.
... The Council of Ancyra. ad314. Emperors."Constantine and Licinius. Elenchus.
Historical Note. The Canons with the Ancient Epitome and Notes. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the council of ancyra.htm

Council of Milan.
... Book II. Chapter XII."Council of Milan. ... What council can be mentioned in which he
did not preside, and convince all present by the power of his reasoning? ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xii council of milan.htm

Thesaurus

Council (51 Occurrences)
... The Jewish councils were the Sanhedrim, or supreme council of the nation, which
had subordinate to it smaller tribunals (the "judgment, " perhaps, in Matthew 5 ...
/c/council.htm - 24k

Senate (1 Occurrence)
... Sanhedrin. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) An assembly or council having
the highest deliberative and legislative functions. 2 ...
/s/senate.htm - 9k

Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences)
... synedrion), meaning "a sitting together," or a "council." This word (rendered "council,
" AV) is frequently used in the New Testament (Matthew 5:22; 26:59 ...
/s/sanhedrim.htm - 15k

Raca (1 Occurrence)
... krisei, "the judgment"); (2) anger breaking forth into an expression of scorn (Raca),
to be punished by the Sanhedrin (to sunedrio, "the council"); (3) anger ...
/r/raca.htm - 10k

Praetorian (2 Occurrences)
... 3. View of Mommsen and Ramsay: One of the meanings of "praetorium" is a council
of war, the officers who met in the general's tent (see PRAETORIUM). ...
/p/praetorian.htm - 15k

Senator
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A member of a senate. 2. (n.) A member of the
king's council; a king's councilor. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/s/senator.htm - 8k

Deutero-canonical
... du-ter-o-ka-non'-i-kal: A term sometimes used to designate certain books, which
by the Council of Trent were included in the Old Testament, but which the ...
/d/deutero-canonical.htm - 14k

Deuterocanonical
... du-ter-o-ka-non'-i-kal: A term sometimes used to designate certain books, which
by the Council of Trent were included in the Old Testament, but which the ...
/d/deuterocanonical.htm - 14k

Wanting (27 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:15 Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that
he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge ...
/w/wanting.htm - 14k

Respected (28 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea came, a highly respected member of the Council,
who himself also was living in expectation of the Kingdom of God. ...
/r/respected.htm - 15k

Resources

What was the significance of the Council of Chalcedon? | GotQuestions.org

What happened at the Council of Constantinople? | GotQuestions.org

What is the National Council of Churches? | GotQuestions.org

Council: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Council (51 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother,' Raca!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say,'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Matthew 12:14
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
(KJV WBS)

Matthew 22:15
Then went the Pharisees and held a council how they might ensnare him in speaking.
(DBY)

Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Mark 14:55
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Mark 15:1
Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Mark 15:43
Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for the Kingdom of God, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus' body.
(WEB WEY ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 22:66
As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 23:50
Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man
(WEB WEY ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 23:51
who came from the Jewish town of Arimathaea and was awaiting the coming of the Kingdom of God. He had not concurred in the design or action of the Council,
(WEY)

John 3:1
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
(See NIV)

John 11:47
The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we doing? For this man does many signs.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 4:15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 4:26
The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.'
(WEB)

Acts 4:28
to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen.
(WEB ASV)

Acts 5:21
When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 5:27
When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 5:34
But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 5:41
They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus' name.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 6:12
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 6:15
All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 17:33
Thus Paul went out from among them.
(See NIV)

Acts 17:34
A few, however, attached themselves to him and believed, among them being Dionysius a member of the Council, a gentlewoman named Damaris, and some others.
(WEY)

Acts 22:5
As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 22:30
But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 23:1
Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 23:15
Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 23:20
He said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 23:28
Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 24:20
Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Acts 25:12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 4:14
Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.
(See RSV)

Genesis 49:6
My soul, don't come into their council. My glory, don't be united to their assembly; for in their anger they killed men. In their self-will they hamstrung cattle.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:2
and they rose up against Moses, with two hundred and fifty men of the children of Israel, princes of the assembly, summoned to the council, men of renown;
(DBY NIV)

Judges 20:7
Behold, ye children of Israel, all of you, give here your advice and counsel.
(See JPS)

1 Samuel 22:14
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, "Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and is taken into your council, and is honorable in your house?
(WEB ASV DBY YLT)

2 Samuel 23:23
He was honoured above the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David set him in his council.
(DBY)

2 Kings 9:5
When he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting. Then he said, "I have a message for you, captain." Jehu said, "To which of us all?" He said, "To you, O captain."
(See RSV)

2 Kings 25:19
and out of the city he took an officer who was set over the men of war; and five men of those who saw the king's face, who were found in the city; and the scribe, the captain of the army, who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land, who were found in the city.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 11:25
Behold, he was honoured above the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David set him in his council.
(DBY)

Job 15:8
Hast thou listened in the secret council of #NAME? #NAME? #NAME? And hast thou absorbed wisdom for thyself?
(DBY JPS RSV NIV)

Psalms 64:2
Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;
(See JPS)

Psalms 68:27
There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV)

Psalms 82:1
A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.
(See RSV)

Psalms 89:7
a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones, to be feared above all those who are around him?
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 107:32
Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.
(See NIV)

Psalms 111:1
Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NIV)

Jeremiah 23:18
For who has stood in the council of Yahweh, that he should perceive and hear his word? who has marked my word, and heard it?
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 23:22
But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 13:9
My hand shall be against the prophets who see false visions, and who divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord Yahweh.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Council

Council of War

Council: Apostolic

Related Terms

Senate (1 Occurrence)

Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences)

Raca (1 Occurrence)

Praetorian (2 Occurrences)

Senator

Deutero-canonical

Deuterocanonical