Head of Rulers
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Head of Rulers" in the biblical context often refers to the supreme authority or leader among leaders, typically denoting a king or a sovereign who holds the highest position of power and governance. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God is frequently depicted as the ultimate authority over all earthly rulers.

Biblical References:

1. God as the Supreme Ruler:
The Bible consistently portrays God as the ultimate "Head of Rulers," emphasizing His sovereignty over all earthly powers. In 1 Timothy 6:15, God is described as "the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords." This passage underscores the belief that all earthly rulers are subject to God's authority.

2. Christ as the Head:
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is often depicted as the head of all rulers and authorities. Colossians 2:10 states, "And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority." This verse highlights the supremacy of Christ over all earthly and spiritual powers, affirming His divine authority.

3. Earthly Kings and Leaders:
Throughout the Old Testament, various kings are depicted as heads of their respective nations. For instance, King David is often seen as a model ruler, chosen by God to lead Israel. In 1 Samuel 13:14, God refers to David as "a man after His own heart," indicating divine approval of his leadership.

4. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream:
In the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a statue with a head of gold is interpreted by Daniel as representing Nebuchadnezzar himself as the head of the Babylonian empire, the foremost among earthly kingdoms at that time (Daniel 2:37-38). This imagery illustrates the concept of a ruler being the "head" of a vast dominion.

5. Submission to Authorities:
The Bible also instructs believers to respect and submit to earthly authorities, recognizing their role as instituted by God. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God." This passage reinforces the idea that earthly rulers, while powerful, derive their authority from God, the ultimate head.

Theological Implications:

The concept of the "Head of Rulers" carries significant theological implications, particularly concerning the nature of authority and governance. It affirms the belief in a divinely ordained order, where God is the ultimate source of all authority. This understanding encourages believers to view earthly rulers as accountable to God and to trust in His sovereign plan, even amidst political turmoil.

Practical Applications:

For believers, recognizing God as the "Head of Rulers" serves as a reminder to pray for those in authority, seeking divine guidance and wisdom for them. It also calls for a balanced perspective on political power, acknowledging the temporal nature of human leadership in contrast to God's eternal reign.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Samuel 15:17
And Samuel said, When you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 2:38
And wherever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven has he given into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all. You are this head of gold.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Strong's Hebrew
8269. sar -- chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
... 1), ruler (1), rulers (10), taskmasters* (1). chief captain, general, governor,
keeper, lord, taskmaster, principal,. From sarar; a head person (of any rank or ...
/hebrew/8269.htm - 6k
Library

Against Principalities, against Powers, against the Rulers of the ...
... Book First CCLII "AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF
THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD". ... Towers o'er his head Salvation's crest,. ...
/.../the treasury of sacred song/cclii name principalities against powers.htm

A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
... Come at once, for he has told me all that he knows." Then the rulers of the ... her knees,
she called for a man and had him shave off the seven braids on his head. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a strong man who lost.htm

Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
... head of all; partly aristocracy, in so far as a number of persons are set in authority;
partly democracy, ie government by the people, in so far as the rulers ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law enjoined.htm

Whether it is Proper to Christ to be Head of the Church?
... xlvi in Joan.): "If the rulers of the Church are Shepherds, how is there one ... foundations
and heads, inasmuch as they are members of the one Head and Foundation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is proper to 3.htm

Whether the Rulers of the People Can Dispense from Human Laws?
... Therefore the rulers of a community cannot grant such dispensations, since this
is ... a measuring out to individuals of some common goods: thus the head of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the rulers of the.htm

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
... meaning of their preface is this: "We see that neither fear nor respect for the
Pharisees or the rulers prevents you ... The little silver coin had the head of the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cix jewish rulers seek to.htm

The Ark among the Philistines
... The head of Dagon and both his hands were broken off on the door sill, and ... is severely
punishing us and Dagon our god." So they sent for all the rulers of the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the ark among the philistines.htm

The Teacher Come from God and the Teacher from Jerusalem - Jesus ...
... Indeed even at the last, when incited by their rulers, and blindly following them ...
Nisan, with which the 14th, or preparation-day,' commenced, the head of each ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the teacher come.htm

Dishonest Tenants
... scripture: The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the ... The
ecclesiastical rulers had just been questioning Jesus as to the authority by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/dishonest tenants.htm

From Malachi to the Birth of Christ.
... hundred years. These rulers performed the double function of both civil and
ecclesiastical head of the people. They were descendants ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvii from malachi to.htm

Resources
What does Genesis 3:15 mean that “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel”? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus had nowhere to lay His head? | GotQuestions.org

What does INRI stand for? What was written on the sign nailed to the cross above Jesus' head? | GotQuestions.org

Head: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Head

Head Covering

Head Coverings

Head in Grief: Covered Up

Head in Grief: Shorn

Head in Grief: Sprinkled With Dust

Head in Grief: The Hands Placed On

Head of Chief Men

Head of Christ

Head of Criminals often Cut off

Head of Enemies Slain in War, often Cut off

Head of God

Head of Household

Head of Rulers

Head of the Chief City of a Kingdom

Head of the Household

Head of the Leper Always Uncovered

Head of Women Generally Covered in Public

Head: (Anointed) of Joy and Prosperity

Head: (Covered) of Defence and Protection

Head: (Covered) of Subjection

Head: (Lifted Up) of Exaltation

Head: (Lifted Up) of Joy and Confidence

Head: (Lifted Up) of Pride

Head: (Made Bald) of Heavy Judgments

Head: All the Other Members Necessary To

Head: Anointed

Head: Bowed Down in Worshipping God

Head: Bowed Down: As a Token of Respect

Head: Derision Expressed by Shaking

Head: Diseases of

Head: Liable to Baldness

Head: Liable to Internal Disease

Head: Liable to Leprosy

Head: Liable to Scab

Head: Nazarites Forbidden to Shave

Head: Often Anointed

Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Crown

Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Face

Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Forehead

Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Hair

Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Scalp

Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Skull

Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Temples

Head: Priests Forbidden to Shave

Head: Put for the Life

Head: Put for the Whole Person

Head: Shaven when Vows Were Taken

Head: The Body Supported and Supplied By

Head: The Jews Censured for Swearing By

Head: The Uppermost and Chief Member of the Body

Head: when Hoary With Age to be Respected

Headaches

Headship

Related Terms

Bald-head (1 Occurrence)

Axe-head (1 Occurrence)

Ax-head

Head-dresses (11 Occurrences)

Head-band (2 Occurrences)

Head-dress (22 Occurrences)

Head-bands (2 Occurrences)

Head-covers (1 Occurrence)

Head-priest (1 Occurrence)

Head-men (2 Occurrences)

Head-stone (1 Occurrence)

Shaved (23 Occurrences)

Shave (19 Occurrences)

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)

Charger (17 Occurrences)

Scalp (3 Occurrences)

Head-tires (4 Occurrences)

Chief (696 Occurrences)

Slayeth (28 Occurrences)

Shaven (7 Occurrences)

Skull (7 Occurrences)

Axhead (1 Occurrence)

Separation (50 Occurrences)

Quantity (18 Occurrences)

Spear (55 Occurrences)

Kerchief

Consecration (22 Occurrences)

Chaplet (2 Occurrences)

Capstone (7 Occurrences)

Crest (2 Occurrences)

Sole (13 Occurrences)

Armour (32 Occurrences)

Knees (47 Occurrences)

Ax (12 Occurrences)

Ashes (44 Occurrences)

Visions (43 Occurrences)

Appointeth (28 Occurrences)

Slaughter (121 Occurrences)

Axe (19 Occurrences)

Amulet

Slay (189 Occurrences)

Aaron's (53 Occurrences)

Anointing (39 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Clad (13 Occurrences)

Cushion (3 Occurrences)

Coals (28 Occurrences)

Cane (11 Occurrences)

Avenged (34 Occurrences)

Alabaster (6 Occurrences)

Shaketh (20 Occurrences)

Sores (16 Occurrences)

Shaveth (6 Occurrences)

Selleth (17 Occurrences)

Supported (43 Occurrences)

Supporteth (4 Occurrences)

Scall (9 Occurrences)

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Scoff (18 Occurrences)

Suet (3 Occurrences)

Arranged (32 Occurrences)

Shame (412 Occurrences)

Clothed (153 Occurrences)

Cursing (53 Occurrences)

Shattered (42 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Arrayed (46 Occurrences)

Separated (97 Occurrences)

Scorn (65 Occurrences)

Shake (68 Occurrences)

Sceptre (20 Occurrences)

Surround (39 Occurrences)

Annas (4 Occurrences)

Anoint (59 Occurrences)

Street (54 Occurrences)

Ascent (32 Occurrences)

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)

Stricken (32 Occurrences)

Head of Household
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