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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "counselled" in the Bible refers to the act of giving advice or guidance, often with the implication of wisdom and discernment. It is a significant concept throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of seeking and heeding wise counsel in various aspects of life, including spiritual, moral, and practical matters.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "counsel" is "עֵצָה" (etsah), which denotes advice, purpose, or plan. The act of being counselled is frequently associated with wisdom and understanding. For instance, in Proverbs 11:14, it is written, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety" . This verse underscores the value of seeking multiple perspectives to ensure sound decision-making.

The role of counsellors is also evident in the governance of Israel. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, was a key figure who provided counsel. His proverbs often emphasize the importance of wise counsel, as seen in Proverbs 15:22: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed" .

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "βουλή" (boule) is used, which can mean counsel, purpose, or will. The concept of being counselled is integral to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In Acts 20:27, the Apostle Paul declares, "For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" , indicating the comprehensive guidance provided through the teachings of Scripture.

The New Testament also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as a counsellor. In John 14:26, Jesus promises, "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" . Here, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a divine counsellor who guides believers into truth.

Counsel in Leadership and Community

Throughout the Bible, leaders are often depicted as those who seek and provide counsel. Moses, for example, received counsel from his father-in-law Jethro on how to manage the burdens of leadership (Exodus 18:17-24). This narrative illustrates the humility required to accept wise counsel and the benefits it brings to effective leadership.

In the early church, the apostles and elders gathered to provide counsel on doctrinal and practical issues, as seen in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). This collective decision-making process highlights the importance of communal counsel in maintaining unity and doctrinal integrity within the body of Christ.

Spiritual and Moral Implications

The Bible warns against ungodly counsel, as seen in Psalm 1:1: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or set foot on the path of sinners" . This verse serves as a reminder to discern the source of counsel and to align oneself with godly wisdom.

Moreover, the Scriptures encourage believers to seek counsel from God through prayer and His Word. James 1:5 states, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" . This promise assures believers of divine guidance when they seek it earnestly.

In summary, the concept of being counselled in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing the wisdom of human advisors, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the ultimate counsel found in God's Word. It is a vital aspect of living a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. p.) of Counsel.
Library

Truth and Reality Pertain to Christians Alone the Heathen ...
... Book I. Chapter XX."Truth and Reality Pertain to Christians Alone The Heathen
Counselled to Examine and Embrace It. How long therefore ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xx truth and reality pertain.htm

The History of Rehoboam
... all the people came to Rehoboam to have their answer, and Rehoboam left the counsel
of the old men, and said to them like as the young men had counselled him. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of rehoboam.htm

Life of Antony.
... 55, 56. How humanely he counselled those who resorted to him. ... 89, 90. How, when now
105 years old, he counselled the monks, and gave advice concerning burial. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony.htm

Whether Incontinence Pertains to the Soul or to the Body?
... its counsel; and this is called "unbridled incontinence" or "impetuosity": secondly,
when a man does not stand to what has been counselled, through holding ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether incontinence pertains to the.htm

The History of Saul
... After this they counselled with their priests what they should do with the ark,
and it was concluded it should be sent home again, but the priests said: If ye ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Of the Pharisees who Sit in the Seat of Moses, and Enjoin Things ...
... Besides, Luke likewise tells us that a reply containing these very words had previously
been returned by the Lord to the persons who had counselled Him to ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxxv of the pharisees who.htm

His Name --The Counsellor
... Oh! heir of heaven, in the day of the great council Christ counselled his Father
as to the weight of thy trials, as to the number of thy mercies, if they be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namethe counsellor.htm

A Memorial
... Nevertheless a set examen is profitable for such as are not yet come to such a height
of unitive love, and is counselled by our Father Blosius in divers places ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/a memorial.htm

Objections Continued...
... question, bold indeed, but with a religious intent; be propitious, O Lord [3233]
!)"the Father Himself, does He exist, first having counselled, then being ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter xxx objections continued.htm

The History of David
... and of Jonathan. After this David counselled with our Lord and demanded
if he should go in to one of the cities of Judah. And our ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

Thesaurus
Counselled (26 Occurrences)
...Counselled (26 Occurrences). John 18:14 But it was Caiaphas who counselled the Jews
that it was better that one man should perish for the people. (BBE). ...
/c/counselled.htm - 14k

Forsaketh (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:8 And he forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him,
and consulteth with the lads who have grown up with him, who are standing ...
/f/forsaketh.htm - 11k

Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 16:23 Now the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days,
was as if a man inquired of the word of God; so was all the counsel of ...
/a/ahith'ophel.htm - 10k

Lads (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:8 And he forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him,
and consulteth with the lads who have grown up with him, who are standing ...
/l/lads.htm - 12k

Dragged (19 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 49:20 Therefore, hear ye the counsel of Jehovah, That He hath counselled
concerning Edom, And His devices that He hath devised Concerning the ...
/d/dragged.htm - 12k

Consulteth (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:8 And he forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him,
and consulteth with the lads who have grown up with him, who are standing ...
/c/consulteth.htm - 8k

Devised (35 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 49:20 Therefore, hear ye the counsel of Jehovah, That He hath counselled
concerning Edom, And His devices that He hath devised Concerning the ...
/d/devised.htm - 17k

Devices (43 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Jeremiah 49:20 Therefore, hear ye the counsel of Jehovah, That He hath
counselled concerning Edom, And His devices that He hath devised Concerning the ...
/d/devices.htm - 18k

Counseled (12 Occurrences)

/c/counseled.htm - 10k

Formed (91 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 49:20 Therefore, hear ye the counsel of Jehovah, That He hath counselled
concerning Edom, And His devices that He hath devised Concerning the ...
/f/formed.htm - 34k

Resources
Counselled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus
Concordance
Counselled (26 Occurrences)

John 18:14
But it was Caiaphas who counselled the Jews that it was better that one man should perish for the people.
(BBE)

Acts 27:9
And much time having now been spent, and navigation being already dangerous, because the fast also was already past, Paul counselled them,
(DBY)

Acts 27:12
And the harbour being ill adapted to winter in, the most counselled to set sail thence, if perhaps they might reach Phoenice to winter in, a port of Crete looking north-east and south-east.
(DBY)

James 1:18
having counselled, He did beget us with a word of truth, for our being a certain first-fruit of His creatures.
(YLT)

2 Samuel 16:23
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired of the word of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
(DBY JPS YLT)

2 Samuel 17:7
And Hushai saith unto Absalom, 'Not good 'is' the counsel that Ahithophel hath counselled at this time.'
(YLT)

2 Samuel 17:11
So that I have counselled: Let all Israel be diligently gathered unto thee, from Dan even unto Beer-Sheba, as the sand that 'is' by the sea for multitude, and thou thyself art going in the midst;
(YLT)

2 Samuel 17:15
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
(ASV DBY JPS YLT)

2 Samuel 17:21
And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said unto David, Arise ye, and pass quickly over the water; for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
(ASV DBY JPS YLT)

1 Kings 12:8
And he forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him, and consulteth with the lads who have grown up with him, who are standing before him;
(YLT)

1 Kings 12:13
And the king answereth the people sharply, and forsaketh the counsel of the elders which they counselled him,
(YLT)

2 Chronicles 10:8
And he forsaketh the counsel of the aged men that they counselled him, and consulteth with the lads who have grown up with him, those standing before him,
(YLT)

Job 26:3
How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)

Psalms 16:7
I bless Jehovah who hath counselled me; Also 'in' the nights my reins instruct me.
(YLT)

Proverbs 13:10
A vain man through pride causeth debate, And with the counselled 'is' wisdom.
(YLT)

Isaiah 7:5
Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have purposed evil against thee, saying,
(See JPS YLT)

Isaiah 14:24
Sworn hath Jehovah of Hosts, saying, 'As I thought -- so hath it not been? And as I counselled -- it standeth;
(YLT)

Isaiah 14:26
This 'is' the counsel that is counselled for all the earth, And this 'is' the hand that is stretched out for all the nations.
(YLT)

Isaiah 19:12
Where 'are' they now, thy wise ones? Yea, let them tell to thee, I pray thee, And they know what Jehovah of Hosts hath counselled against Egypt!
(YLT)

Isaiah 23:8
Who hath counselled this against Tyre, The crowning one, whose traders 'are' princes, Her merchants the honoured of earth?'
(YLT)

Isaiah 23:9
Jehovah of Hosts hath counselled it, To pollute the excellency of all beauty, To make light all the honoured of earth.
(YLT)

Isaiah 32:7
And the miser -- his instruments 'are' evil, He hath counselled wicked devices, To corrupt the poor with lying sayings, Even when the needy speaketh justly.
(YLT)

Isaiah 32:8
And the noble counselled noble things, And he for noble things riseth up.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 49:20
Therefore, hear ye the counsel of Jehovah, That He hath counselled concerning Edom, And His devices that He hath devised Concerning the inhabitants of Teman: Drag them out do not little ones of the flock, Make desolate over them doth he not their habitation?
(YLT)

Jeremiah 50:45
Therefore, hear ye the counsel of Jehovah, That He counselled concerning Babylon, And His devices that He hath devised Concerning the land of the Chaldeans; Drag them out do not little ones of the flock, Doth He not make desolate over them the habitation?
(YLT)

Habakkuk 2:10
Thou hast counselled a shameful thing to thy house, To cut off many peoples, and sinful 'is' thy soul.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Counselled

Related Terms

Counselling (9 Occurrences)

Counselled (26 Occurrences)

Deviseth (12 Occurrences)

Counseled
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