New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

Verses about elders

Listening to older adults who have already lived through tons of life experience usually saves you from making massive mistakes that you'll totally regret later. Digging into verses about elders highlights the crucial role that mature, respected leaders play in guiding communities and keeping groups on the right track. Back in biblical times, these experienced guides acted like local advisors who settled disputes, shared hard-earned wisdom, and kept everyone accountable. The New Testament also points out that spiritual leaders in the church are supposed to shepherd others with patience, protect people from bad choices, and lead by a solid example. Tap into that older generation's wisdom instead of thinking you have to figure out everything by yourself. Respecting and learning from people who walked the path before you is one of the smartest shortcuts to growing up right.

"Go. Gather the elders of Israel together. Say to them, 'The Lord, the God of your fathers, appeared to me. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. " 'He said, "I have watched over you. I have seen what the Egyptians have done to you.
Exodus 3:16

Moses and Aaron gathered all of the elders of Israel together.
Exodus 4:29

Then Moses sent for all of the elders of Israel. He said to them, "Go at once. Choose the animals for your families. Each family must kill a Passover lamb.
Exodus 12:21

Then Moses' father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron came with all of the elders of Israel. They ate with Moses' father-in-law in the sight of God.
Exodus 18:12

The Lord said to Moses, "You and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and 70 of the elders of Israel must come up to me. Do not come close when you worship.
Exodus 24:1

Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the 70 elders of Israel went up.
Exodus 24:9

The elders of the community must place their hands on the bull's head in the sight of the Lord. The bull must be killed in the sight of the Lord.
Leviticus 4:15

On the eighth day Moses sent for Aaron, his sons and the elders of Israel.
Leviticus 9:1

The Lord said to Moses, "Bring me 70 of Israel's elders. Bring men that you know are leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting. I want them to stand there with you.
Numbers 11:16

So Moses went out. He told the people what the Lord had said. He gathered 70 of their elders together. He had them stand around the Tent of Meeting.
Numbers 11:24

Then the Lord came down in the cloud. He spoke with Moses. He took some of his Spirit that was on Moses. And he put the Spirit on the 70 elders. When the Spirit came on them, they prophesied. But they didn't do it again.
Numbers 11:25

The elders of Moab and Midian left. They took with them the money they knew Balaam would ask for. They wanted him to use magic and figure things out for them. They came to where Balaam was. And they told him what Balak had said.
Numbers 22:7

The mountain was blazing with fire. You heard the voice coming out of the darkness. So your elders and all of the leaders of your tribes came to me.
Deuteronomy 5:23

If he does, the elders of his own town must send for him. He must be brought back from the city and handed over to the dead man's nearest male relative. The relative will kill him.
Deuteronomy 19:12

Then your elders and judges will go out and measure how far it is from the body to the nearby towns.
Deuteronomy 21:2

Then his parents will take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town.
Deuteronomy 21:19

Then the woman's parents must bring proof that she was a virgin. They must give the proof to the elders at the gate of the town.
Deuteronomy 22:15

The elders of Israel and I gave commands to the people. We said, "Obey all of the commands we're giving you today.
Deuteronomy 27:1

Gather together all of the elders of your tribes and all of your officials. Bring them to me. Then I can speak these words to them. I can call for heaven and earth to give witness against them.
Deuteronomy 31:28

Early the next morning Joshua brought his men together. He and the leaders of Israel marched in front of them to Ai.
Joshua 8:10

They were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. All of the people of Israel, including outsiders and citizens, were there. Israel's elders, officials and judges were also there. All of them faced the priests, who were Levites. They were carrying the ark. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim. The other half stood in front of Mount Ebal. Moses, the servant of the Lord, had earlier told them to do it. It was when he had given directions to bless the people of Israel.
Joshua 8:33

"Suppose the one who is charged runs for safety to one of those cities. Then he must stand in the entrance of the city gate. He must state his case in front of the elders of that city. They must let him come into their city. They must give him a place to live there.
Joshua 20:4

So he sent for all of the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel. He said to them, "I'm very old.
Joshua 23:2

Joshua gathered all of Israel's tribes together at Shechem. He sent for the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel. They came and stood there in the sight of God.
Joshua 24:1

The people served the Lord as long as Joshua lived. They also served him as long as the elders lived. Those were the elders who lived longer than Joshua did. They had seen all of the great things the Lord had done for Israel.
Judges 2:7

He caught a young man from Succoth. He asked him about the elders of the town. The young man wrote down for him the names of Succoth's 77 officials.
Judges 8:14

So the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.
Judges 11:5

Boaz brought ten of the elders of the town together. He said, "Sit down here." So they did.
Ruth 4:2

I thought I should bring the matter to your attention. I suggest that you buy the land while those who are sitting here and the elders of my people are looking on as witnesses. "If you are willing to buy it back, do it. But if you aren't, tell me. Then I'll know. No one has the right to buy it back except you. And I'm next in line." "I'll buy it," he said.
Ruth 4:4

Then Boaz spoke to the elders and all of the people. He said, "Today you are witnesses. You have seen that I have bought land from Naomi. I have bought all of the property that had belonged to Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon.
Ruth 4:9

The rest of the Israelite soldiers returned to camp. Then the elders asked them, "Why did the Lord let the Philistines win the battle over us today? Let's bring the ark of the Lord's covenant from Shiloh. Let's take it with us. It will save us from the power of our enemies."
1 Samuel 4:3

So all of the elders of Israel gathered together. They came to Samuel at Ramah.
1 Samuel 8:4

Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me in front of the elders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me so I can worship the Lord your God."
1 Samuel 15:30

Abner talked with the elders of Israel. He said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king.
2 Samuel 3:17

All of the elders of Israel came to see King David at Hebron. There the king made a covenant with them in the sight of the Lord. They anointed David as king over Israel.
2 Samuel 5:3

His most trusted servants stood beside him. They wanted him to get up from the ground. But he refused to do it. And he wouldn't eat any food with them.
2 Samuel 12:17

Ahithophel's plan seemed good to Absalom. It also seemed good to all of the elders of Israel.
2 Samuel 17:4

Then King Solomon sent for the elders of Israel. He told them to come to him in Jerusalem. They included all of the leaders of the tribes. They also included the chiefs of the families of Israel. Solomon wanted them to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from Zion. Zion was the City of David.
1 Kings 8:1

All of the elders of Israel arrived. Then the priests picked up the ark and carried it.
1 Kings 8:3

The king of Israel sent for all of the elders of the land. He said to them, "This man is really looking for trouble! He sent for my wives and children. He sent for my silver and gold. And I agreed to give them to him."
1 Kings 20:7

So she wrote some letters in Ahab's name. She stamped them with his seal. Then she sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in the city where Naboth lived.
1 Kings 21:8

Elisha was sitting in his house. The elders were sitting there with him. The king went to see Elisha. He sent a messenger on ahead of him. Before the messenger arrived, Elisha spoke to the elders. He said, "That murderer is sending someone here to cut my head off. Can't you see that? When the messenger comes, close the door. Hold it shut against him. Can't you hear his master's footsteps right behind him?"
2 Kings 6:32

Ahab's royal family in the city of Samaria had a total of 70 sons. Jehu wrote some letters to the officials of the city. He also sent them to the elders there. And he sent them to those who took care of Ahab's children. He said,
2 Kings 10:1

The city governor and the person who was in charge of the palace sent a message to Jehu. The message was also from the elders and those who took care of Ahab's children. It said, "We will serve you. We'll do anything you say. We won't appoint anyone to be king. Do what you think is best."
2 Kings 10:5

Hezekiah sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, to the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz. He also sent the leading priests and the secretary Shebna to him. All of them were wearing black clothes.
2 Kings 19:2

Then the king called together all of the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Kings 23:1

All of the elders of Israel came to see King David at Hebron. There he made a covenant with them in the sight of the Lord. They anointed David as king over Israel. It happened just as the Lord had promised through Samuel.
1 Chronicles 11:3

David and the elders of Israel went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord. So did the commanders of companies of 1,000 men. With great joy they brought the ark up from the house of Obed-Edom.
1 Chronicles 15:25

David looked up. He saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth. The angel was holding out a sword over Jerusalem. David and the elders fell with their faces to the ground. They were wearing black clothes.
1 Chronicles 21:16

Then Solomon sent for the elders of Israel. He told them to come to Jerusalem. They included all of the leaders of the tribes. They also included the chiefs of the families of Israel. Solomon wanted them to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from Zion. Zion was the City of David.
2 Chronicles 5:2

All of the elders of Israel arrived. Then the Levites picked up the ark and carried it.
2 Chronicles 5:4

Then King Rehoboam asked the elders for advice. They had served his father Solomon while he was still living. Rehoboam asked them, "What advice can you give me? How should I answer these people?"
2 Chronicles 10:6

But Rehoboam didn't accept the advice the elders gave him. He asked for advice from the young men who had grown up with him and were now serving him.
2 Chronicles 10:8

Then the king called together all of the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 34:29

But the God of the Jews was watching over their elders. So they didn't have to stop their work. First a report would have to be sent to Darius. Then they would have to receive his answer in writing.
Ezra 5:5

Don't try to stop the work on God's temple. Let the governor of the Jews and their elders rebuild the house of their God. Let them build it in the same place where it stood before.
Ezra 6:7

The elders of the Jews continued to build the temple. They enjoyed great success because of the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Zechariah belonged to the family line of Iddo. The people finished building the temple. That's what the God of Israel had commanded them to do. Cyrus and Darius had given orders allowing them to do it. Later, Artaxerxes supplied many things that were needed in the temple. Those three men were kings of Persia.
Ezra 6:14

They were supposed to come there before three days had passed. If they didn't, they would lose all of their property. They would also be removed from the community of those who had returned. That's what the officials and elders had decided.
Ezra 10:8

"Our officials can act for the whole community. Have everyone in our towns who has married a woman from another land come at a certain time. Tell them to come together with the elders and judges of each town. Then our God will turn his burning anger away from us concerning this whole matter."
Ezra 10:14

Old people are wise. Those who live a long time have understanding.
Job 12:12

People who are old and gray are on our side. And they are even older than your parents!
Job 15:10

Young people who saw me stepped to one side. Old people stood up as I approached.
Job 29:8

Older people aren't the only ones who are wise. They aren't the only ones who understand what is right.
Job 32:9

Let them honor him among his people who gather for worship. Let them praise him in the meeting of the elders.
Psalm 107:32

I understand more than the elders do, because I obey your rules.
Psalm 119:100

Her husband is respected at the city gate. There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
Proverbs 31:23

He judges the elders and leaders of his people. He says to them, "My people are like a vineyard. You have destroyed them. The things you have taken from poor people are in your houses.
Isaiah 3:14

The Lord who rules over all will rule on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The elders of the city will be there. They will see his glory. His rule will be so glorious that the sun and moon will be too ashamed to shine.
Isaiah 24:23

Hezekiah sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, to me. He also sent the leading priests and the secretary Shebna to me. All of them were wearing black clothes.
Isaiah 37:2

The Lord said to me, "Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people. Also tell some of the priests to go with you.
Jeremiah 19:1

Some of the elders of the land stepped forward. They spoke to the whole community that was gathered there. They said,
Jeremiah 26:17

"We called out to those who were going to help us. But they turned against us. Our priests and elders died in the city. They were searching for food just to stay alive.
Lamentations 1:19

The elders of the city of Zion sit silently on the ground. They have sprinkled dust on their heads. They've put on black clothes to show how sad they are. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads toward the ground.
Lamentations 2:10

Our princes have been hung up by their hands. No one shows our elders any respect.
Lamentations 5:12

Our elders don't go to the city gate anymore. Our young men have stopped playing their music.
Lamentations 5:14

Trouble after trouble will come. One report will follow another. But they will not be true. The people will try to get visions from the prophets. But there will not be any. The teaching of the law by the priests will be gone. So will advice from the elders.
Ezekiel 7:26

It was the sixth year since King Jehoiachin had been brought to Babylon as a prisoner. On the fifth day of the sixth month, I was sitting in my house. The elders of Judah were sitting there with me. The Lord and King put his powerful hand on me there.
Ezekiel 8:1

Some of the elders of Israel came to see me. They sat down with me.
Ezekiel 14:1

It was the seventh year since King Jehoiachin had been brought to Babylon as a prisoner. On the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to ask the Lord for advice. They sat down with me.
Ezekiel 20:1

The Lord began to speak through me. He said to me, "Go. Get married to a woman who will commit adultery. Take as your own the children who will be born as a result of her adultery. Marry her because the people of the land are guilty of the worst kind of adultery. They have not been faithful to me."
Hosea 1:2

"A new day is coming," announces the Lord. "Israel will call me My Husband. She will no longer call me My Master.
Hosea 2:16

"Why don't your disciples obey what the elders teach? Your disciples don't wash their hands before they eat!"
Matthew 15:2

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples what would happen to him. He told them he must go to Jerusalem. There he must suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day rise to life again.
Matthew 16:21

Jesus entered the temple courtyard. While he was teaching there, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "Who gave you this authority?"
Matthew 21:23

Then the chief priests met with the elders of the people. They met in the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest.
Matthew 26:3

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. He was one of the Twelve. A large crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the elders of the people had sent them.
Matthew 26:47

It was early in the morning. All the chief priests and the elders of the people decided to put Jesus to death.
Matthew 27:1

Judas, who had handed him over, saw that Jesus had been sentenced to die. He felt deep shame and sadness for what he had done. So he returned the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
Matthew 27:3

But when the chief priests and the elders brought charges against him, he did not answer.
Matthew 27:12

But the chief priests and the elders talked the crowd into asking for Barabbas and having Jesus put to death.
Matthew 27:20

When the chief priests met with the elders, they came up with a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of money.
Matthew 28:12

The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands to make them pure. That's what the elders teach.
Mark 7:3

So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned Jesus. "Why don't your disciples live by what the elders teach?" they asked. "Why do they eat their food with 'unclean' hands?"
Mark 7:5

Jesus then began to teach his disciples. He taught them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. He taught them that the elders would not accept him. The chief priests and the teachers of the law would not accept him either. He must be killed and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:31

Jesus and his disciples arrived again in Jerusalem. He was walking in the temple courtyards. Then the chief priests came to him. The teachers of the law and the elders came too.
Mark 11:27

Just as Jesus was speaking, Judas appeared. He was one of the Twelve. A crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders had sent them.
Mark 14:43

The crowd took Jesus to the high priest. All of the chief priests, the elders, and the teachers of the law came together.
Mark 14:53

It was very early in the morning. The chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law, and the whole Sanhedrin, made a decision. They tied Jesus up and led him away. Then they handed him over to Pilate.
Mark 15:1

The commander heard about Jesus. So he sent some elders of the Jews to him. He told them to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant.
Luke 7:3

He said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. The elders will not accept him. The chief priests and teachers of the law will not accept him either. He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead."
Luke 9:22

One day Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courtyard. He was preaching the good news to them. The chief priests and the teachers of the law came up to him. The elders came with them.
Luke 20:1

Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders. They had all come for him. "Am I leading a band of armed men against you?" he asked. "Do you have to come with swords and clubs?
Luke 22:52

At dawn the elders of the people met together. These included the chief priests and the teachers of the law. Jesus was led to them.
Luke 22:66

Those who heard what he had said began to go away. They left one at a time, the older ones first. Soon only Jesus was left. The woman was still standing there.
John 8:9

The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.
Acts 4:5

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people!
Acts 4:8

Peter and John were allowed to leave. They went back to their own people. They reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Acts 4:23

So the people were stirred up. The elders and the teachers of the law were stirred up too. They arrested Stephen and brought him to the Sanhedrin.
Acts 6:12

They sent their gift to the elders through Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:30

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church. The elders had trusted in the Lord. Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted. They placed the elders in the Lord's care.
Acts 14:23

But Paul and Barnabas didn't agree with this. They argued strongly with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed to go up to Jerusalem. Some other believers were chosen to go with them. They were supposed to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:2

When they arrived in Jerusalem, the church welcomed them. The apostles and elders welcomed them too. Then Paul and Barnabas reported everything God had done through them.
Acts 15:4

The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
Acts 15:6

Then the apostles, the elders and the whole church decided what to do. They would choose some of their own men. They would send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. So they chose two leaders among the believers. Their names were Judas Barsabbas and Silas.
Acts 15:22

Here is the letter they sent with them. The apostles and elders, your brothers, are writing this letter. We are sending it to the non-Jewish believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. Greetings.
Acts 15:23

Paul and his companions traveled from town to town. They reported what the apostles and elders in Jerusalem had decided. The people were supposed to obey what was in the report.
Acts 16:4

From Miletus, Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus.
Acts 20:17

The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James. All the elders were there.
Acts 21:18

The high priest and the whole Council can give witness to this. I even had some official letters they had written to their friends in Damascus. So I went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
Acts 22:5

They went to the chief priests and the elders. They said, "We have taken a strong oath. We have made a special promise to God. We will not eat anything until we have killed Paul.
Acts 23:14

Five days later Ananias the high priest went down to Caesarea. Some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus went with him. They brought their charges against Paul to the governor.
Acts 24:1

When I went to Jerusalem, the Jewish chief priests and the elders brought charges against the man. They wanted him to be found guilty.
Acts 25:15

Don't tell an older man off. Make an appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as if they were your brothers.
1 Timothy 5:1

The elders who do the church's work well are worth twice as much honor. That is true in a special way of elders who preach and teach.
1 Timothy 5:17

Don't believe a charge against an elder unless two or three witnesses bring it.
1 Timothy 5:19

That's because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus. I hear about your love for all of God's people.
Philemon 1:5

Are any of you sick? Then send for the elders of the church to pray over you. Ask them to anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:14

I'm speaking to the elders among you. I was a witness of Christ's sufferings. And I will also share in the glory that is going to come. I'm making my appeal to you as one who is an elder together with you.
1 Peter 5:1

Young men, follow the lead of those who are older. All of you, put on a spirit that is free of pride toward each other as if it were your clothes. Scripture says, "God opposes those who are proud. But he gives grace to those who are not." --(Proverbs 3:34)
1 Peter 5:5

Here is what we announce to everyone about the Word of life. He was already here from the beginning. We have heard him. We have seen him with our eyes. We have looked at him. Our hands have touched him.
1 John 1:1

I, the elder, am writing this letter. I am sending it to the chosen lady and her children. I love all of you because of the truth. I'm not the only one who loves you. So does everyone who knows the truth.
2 John 1:1

New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

Verses about elders

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