Courtiers in the biblical context refer to those individuals who served in the royal courts of kings and rulers. These individuals often held positions of influence and power, acting as advisors, officials, or attendants to the monarch. The role of courtiers is evident throughout the Scriptures, where they are depicted in various capacities, from wise counselors to deceitful plotters.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, courtiers are frequently mentioned in the narratives of the kings of Israel and Judah, as well as in the courts of foreign rulers. One notable example is found in the account of Joseph, who rose to prominence in the court of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Joseph's wisdom and ability to interpret dreams earned him a high position, as described in Genesis 41:39-40 : "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.'"

Another significant mention of courtiers is in the Book of Esther, where Haman, a high-ranking official in the court of King Xerxes, plots against the Jews. Esther 3:1 states, "After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles."

New Testament References

In the New Testament, courtiers are less frequently mentioned, but their presence is still notable. One example is found in the account of Herod's court, where John the Baptist was imprisoned and eventually executed. Mark 6:21 describes a banquet held by Herod: "On Herod’s birthday, her daughter came in and danced, and she pleased Herod and his guests. 'Ask me for anything you want,' he said, 'and I’ll give it to you.'"

Roles and Influence

Courtiers often held significant influence over the decisions of the king, acting as intermediaries between the ruler and the people. They could be trusted advisors, as seen in the case of Nehemiah, who served as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Nehemiah 2:1-2 illustrates his role: "In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, 'Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.'"

However, courtiers could also be sources of corruption and intrigue, as seen in the account of Daniel, who faced opposition from other officials in the court of King Darius. Daniel 6:4 notes, "Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy and no negligence or corruption was found in him."

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

The presence of courtiers in the biblical narrative provides moral and spiritual lessons about the use of power and influence. The accounts of faithful courtiers like Joseph and Daniel highlight the virtues of integrity, wisdom, and reliance on God. Conversely, the accounts of corrupt courtiers serve as warnings against pride, deceit, and the misuse of authority.

In summary, courtiers played a significant role in the biblical narrative, serving as both positive and negative examples of leadership and service within the royal courts. Their accounts continue to offer valuable insights into the dynamics of power and the importance of godly character.934. basileios -- royal
... royal. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: basileios Phonetic Spelling:
(bas-il'-i-os) Short Definition: courtiers, palaces, a body of kings, royal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/934.htm - 6k

The Heir to the Throne
... The old courtiers of the dead grandsire, visiting the court of Meneptah, flung up
their hands and gasped when they beheld the heir to the double crown of Egypt ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter v the heir to.htm

The Bishop Elect and Consecrate
... Certain courtiers, thinking to put Hugh in the way of obliging the king, suggested
that a vacant prebend at Lincoln should be given to one of themselves. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter iv the bishop elect.htm

The First-Born
... But the farther end of the hall was filled with terrified courtiers in all
attitudes and degrees of extravagant demonstration of grief. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xl the first-born.htm

Self-Inspection.
... I. King Philip of Macedon was informed by some of his courtiers that one of his
officers, Nicanor by name, was always speaking evil of him, that wherever ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlviii self-inspection.htm

The Heir Intervenes
... had been at work upon Meneptah, and seeing that Rameses had subsided, having cause
to propitiate the father of the woman he would wed, the courtiers began to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxvii the heir intervenes.htm

The Wicked Plan Having Been Carried into Execution, Diocletian...
... Then suddenly, on the ides of December, [1979] there was heard in the palace sorrow,
and weeping, and lamentation, and the courtiers ran to and fro; there was ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xvii the wicked plan.htm

The Forged Sermon
... Did not their courtiers cover their eyes with their hands as they approached them,
as though to shield themselves from the too sun-like radiance? ...
/.../chapter xlviii the forged sermon.htm

Jesus Before Herod.
... He was seated on a pile of cushions, heaped together so as to form a species of
throne, in a spacious hall, and surrounded by courtiers and warriors. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xx jesus before herod.htm

To the Honourable Mr Yorke.
... And hides behind its ardour to be seen. When in his courtiers' ears I pour my
plaint, 60. ... One, though in Britain born, with courtiers bred,. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/to the honourable mr yorke.htm

Before Egypt's Throne
... Without hesitation she descended. The great hall was ablaze with light and lined
with courtiers. ... The great palace shook with the acclaim of the courtiers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxix before egypts throne.htm

Courtiers (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Courtiers (2 Occurrences). Matthew 14:2 and he
said to his courtiers, "This is John the Baptist: he has ...
/c/courtiers.htm - 6k

Raiment (75 Occurrences)
... It is equivalent to "elegant clothing," such as courtiers wore, as shown by the
words following, "Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings' houses ...
/r/raiment.htm - 31k

Soft (36 Occurrences)
... It is equivalent to "elegant clothing," such as courtiers wore, as shown by the
words following, "Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings' houses ...
/s/soft.htm - 20k

Noble (61 Occurrences)
... anthropos, "a man well born," and in John 4:46, 49 of basilikos, "kingly," "belonging
to a king," a designation extended to the officers, courtiers, etc., of a ...
/n/noble.htm - 27k

Nobleman (5 Occurrences)
... anthropos, "a man well born," and in John 4:46, 49 of basilikos, "kingly," "belonging
to a king," a designation extended to the officers, courtiers, etc., of a ...
/n/nobleman.htm - 12k

Nobles (71 Occurrences)
... anthropos, "a man well born," and in John 4:46, 49 of basilikos, "kingly," "belonging
to a king," a designation extended to the officers, courtiers, etc., of a ...
/n/nobles.htm - 33k

Gedaliah (31 Occurrences)
... To his charge were committed also some royal princesses (Jeremiah 43:6) and courtiers
(Jeremiah 41:16) who had been allowed to remain as unlikely to cause any ...
/g/gedaliah.htm - 26k

Working (205 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Matthew 14:2 and he said to his courtiers, "This is John the Baptist: he
has come back to life--and that is why these miraculous Powers are working in him ...
/w/working.htm - 36k

Friends (152 Occurrences)
... FRIENDS; CHIEF FRIENDS. (hoi philoi proton): Expressions used in 1 and 2
Maccabees to designate the favored courtiers of the Antiochi. ...
/f/friends.htm - 38k

Rehoboam (42 Occurrences)
... to meet them at Shechem, and heard their demands for relief (1 Kings 12:4). After
three days, having consulted with a younger generation of courtiers that had ...
/r/rehoboam.htm - 34k

Courtiers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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