In biblical times, tribunals were established as formal assemblies or courts for the purpose of administering justice and resolving disputes among the people. These tribunals were integral to maintaining order and upholding the laws given by God. The concept of tribunals is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God provided specific instructions for the establishment of judicial systems.

Old Testament Tribunals

The earliest form of a tribunal can be traced back to the time of Moses. In Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, advised him to appoint capable men to serve as judges for the people, thus creating a system of delegated authority. This was to alleviate the burden on Moses and ensure that justice was administered efficiently. Exodus 18:21-22 states, "Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have these men judge the people at all times."

The Mosaic Law also provided guidelines for the operation of these tribunals. Deuteronomy 16:18 instructs, "You are to appoint judges and officers for your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they are to judge the people with righteous judgment." This system ensured that justice was accessible to all Israelites and that decisions were made in accordance with God's commandments.

The Role of Elders

Elders played a significant role in the administration of justice within the community. They often served as judges in local tribunals, handling cases that ranged from civil disputes to criminal matters. The elders were respected leaders who were expected to possess wisdom and integrity. In Deuteronomy 21:2 , the elders are called upon to make judgments in cases of unsolved murders, demonstrating their authority and responsibility in maintaining justice.

The Sanhedrin

By the time of the New Testament, the Jewish tribunal system had evolved into a more formalized structure known as the Sanhedrin. This was the supreme religious and judicial council in Jerusalem, composed of chief priests, scribes, and elders. The Sanhedrin held significant authority over religious and civil matters, and it played a crucial role in the trial of Jesus Christ. In Mark 14:55 , it is recorded, "Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any."

Roman Influence

During the Roman occupation of Judea, the Jewish tribunal system operated under the oversight of Roman authorities. The Romans allowed a degree of self-governance, but certain cases, especially those involving capital punishment, required Roman approval. This is evident in the trial of Jesus, where the Jewish leaders brought Him before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, to seek a death sentence (John 18:28-31).

Christian Perspective on Justice

From a Christian perspective, the concept of tribunals underscores the importance of justice, fairness, and accountability. Believers are encouraged to seek resolution of disputes within the church community before resorting to secular courts. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 , Paul admonishes the Corinthian church for taking their grievances before unbelievers, urging them instead to appoint wise individuals within the church to judge such matters.

Overall, tribunals in the Bible reflect God's desire for a just society where disputes are resolved according to His laws and principles. They serve as a reminder of the importance of righteous judgment and the role of appointed leaders in maintaining order and justice within the community.

The Three Tribunals
... V) THE THREE TRIBUNALS. ... So here we have three tribunals"that of man's estimates,
that of our own consciences, that of Jesus Christ. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the three tribunals.htm

Political and Religious Life of the Jewish Dispersion in the West ...
... who enjoyed the former were entitled to a civil government of their own, under archons
of their choosing, quite independent of the rule and tribunals of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi political and religious.htm

The Organization of the Apostolic Church.
... judicatory. Appeals lay from all these tribunals to the Great Sanhedrim,
or "Council," so frequently mentioned in the New Testament. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the organization of.htm

Elucidations.
... A canon [3080] of the African church, after providing for local appeals, reads as
follows: "Let them not appeal to tribunals beyond the seas, but to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/elucidations.htm

Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)
... TEMPLES OF GOD. DEATH, THE FRIEND. SERVANTS AND LORDS. THE THREE TRIBUNALS. THE
FESTAL LIFE. FORMS VERSUS CHARACTER. SLAVES AND FREE. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/

To Alexander, Bishop of the City of Constantinople.
... And now, indeed, they drag us before the tribunals of the judges, by intercourse
with silly and disorderly women, whom they have led into error; at another ...
/.../i to alexander bishop of the.htm

Christ Compared with Socrates.
... who by human birth were more ancient than Christ, when they attempted to consider
and prove things by reason, were brought before the tribunals as impious ...
/.../chapter x christ compared with socrates.htm

General Commandments.
... not remove thy neighbour's landmarks [2545] which thy fathers have set." [2546]
Upon this account, therefore, terrors, death, tribunals, and condemnations ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i general commandments.htm

The Lax and Dangerous views of this Sect Respecting Good Works ...
... holiness and justice, should we desire to make our confession anywhere else, I know
not where, and not before the powers of this world at the tribunals of the ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xxx the lax and dangerous.htm

Moreover, if Sorcerers Call Forth Ghosts, and Even Make what Seem ...
... have real identity. Let a person be brought before your tribunals, who
is plainly under demoniacal possession. The wicked spirit ...
/.../tertullian/apology/chapter xxiii moreover if sorcerers.htm

Tribunals (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tribunals (1 Occurrence). ... Do not the rich oppress
you, and do not they drag you before the tribunals? (DBY). ...
/t/tribunals.htm - 6k

Tribunal (11 Occurrences)

/t/tribunal.htm - 10k

Tribune (18 Occurrences)

/t/tribune.htm - 12k

Lawyer (5 Occurrences)
... Of course, frequently, these tribunals were under the sway of such a man's influence,
so that what he said upon his own authority would be ratified in the ...
/l/lawyer.htm - 14k

Pavement (9 Occurrences)
... It was the custom of the Roman governors to erect their tribunals in open places,
as the Market-place, the circus, or even the highway. ...
/p/pavement.htm - 11k

Citizenship (4 Occurrences)
... Perhaps it was as at Philippi before he made known his citizenship (Acts 16:22,
23), or the Jews had the right to whip those who came before their own tribunals...
/c/citizenship.htm - 16k

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

Sanhedrin (19 Occurrences)
... Sanhedrin was, at and before the time of Christ, the name for the highest Jewish
tribunal, of 71 members, in Jerusalem, and also for the lower tribunals, of 23 ...
/s/sanhedrin.htm - 27k

Seat (256 Occurrences)
... a tribunal," "bench of judges" (James 2:6) occurs also in 1 Corinthians 6:2-4, and
is there translated in the Revised Version margin by "tribunals." See also ...
/s/seat.htm - 41k

Gate (248 Occurrences)
... In particular, the "gate" was the place of the legal tribunals (Deuteronomy 16:18;
Deuteronomy 21:19; Deuteronomy 25:7, etc.), so that a seat "among the elders ...
/g/gate.htm - 63k

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