Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "Counselor" is often associated with wisdom, guidance, and the provision of sound advice. The role of a counselor is significant throughout Scripture, as it reflects the need for divine guidance and the importance of seeking wise counsel in decision-making.
Old Testament ReferencesThe concept of a counselor is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. In Proverbs, the value of wise counsel is frequently emphasized.
Proverbs 11:14 states, "For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors there is deliverance." This highlights the importance of seeking multiple sources of wisdom to ensure sound decision-making and stability.
Isaiah 9:6 is a prophetic passage that refers to the coming Messiah as a "Wonderful Counselor": "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This title underscores the Messiah's role in providing divine wisdom and guidance to His people.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the role of the Holy Spirit as a Counselor is prominent. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "Counselor" or "Helper" in
John 14:16-17 : "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." The Holy Spirit is depicted as a source of truth and guidance for believers, continuing the work of Christ by providing wisdom and comfort.
Role of Human CounselorsThe Bible also acknowledges the role of human counselors in providing guidance. In
Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, acts as a counselor to Moses, advising him to delegate responsibilities to capable men to avoid burnout. This account illustrates the practical application of wise counsel in leadership and administration.
The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, often emphasizes the importance of mutual counsel and encouragement within the Christian community. In
Colossians 3:16 , he writes, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." This passage highlights the communal aspect of counseling, where believers are encouraged to support and guide one another in wisdom.
Attributes of a Godly CounselorA godly counselor, according to biblical principles, should possess certain attributes. These include wisdom, discernment, humility, and a deep understanding of God's Word.
James 1:5 encourages believers to seek wisdom from God: "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 underscores the belief that true wisdom and effective counsel are ultimately derived from God.
ConclusionThe role of a counselor in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine guidance through the Holy Spirit, the prophetic wisdom of Christ, and the practical advice of human advisors. Whether through the direct intervention of God or the wise counsel of others, the biblical narrative consistently underscores the importance of seeking and heeding sound advice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who counsels; an adviser.
2. (n.) A member of council; one appointed to advise a sovereign or chief magistrate. [See under Consilor.]
3. (n.) One whose profession is to give advice in law, and manage causes for clients in court; a barrister.
Greek
4825. sumboulos -- acounselor... a
counselor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sumboulos Phonetic
Spelling: (soom'-boo-los) Short Definition: an adviser,
counselor Definition
...1010. bouleutes -- a councilor
... at Jerusalem. Word Origin from bouleuo Definition a councilor NASB Word
Usage member of the council (2).counselor. From bouleuo...
Strong's Hebrew
1907. haddabar --counselor, minister... 1906, 1907. haddabar. 1908 .
counselor, minister. Transliteration: haddabar
Phonetic Spelling: (had-daw-bawr') Short Definition: officials.
...counselor.
...3272a. yaet --counselor
... yaet. 3272b .counselor. Transliteration: yaet Short Definition: counselors. Word
Origin (Aramaic) from yeat Definitioncounselor NASB Word Usage counselors (...
3272. y'at, --counselor
y'at,. 3271, 3272. y'at,. 3272a .counselor. Transliteration: y'at, Phonetic
Spelling: (yeh-at') Short Definition: counsellor.counselor, consult together...
148. adargazar -- acounselor
... 147, 148. adargazar. 149 . acounselor. Transliteration: adargazar Phonetic
Spelling: (ad-ar''-gaw-zare') Short Definition: counselors....
3289. yaats -- to advise, counsel
... 1), conspired (1), consult (2), consulted (8), counsel (4), counsel do you give
(2), counsel you have given (1), counseled (7),Counselor (1),counselor (10...
6098. etsah -- counsel, advice
... Word Origin from yaats Definition counsel, advice NASB Word Usage advice (11),
consultation (2), counsel (52),counselor* (1), counselors* (1), counsels (1...
1884. dethabar -- a judge
... judges. Word Origin (Aramaic) of foreign origin Definition a judge NASB
Word Usage judges (2).counselor. (Aramaic) of Pers. Origin...
376. ish -- man
... 6), any man (21), any man's (4), any one (3), anyone (16), anyone* (1), archers*
(1), Benjamite* (3), certain (6), champion* (2),counselor* (1), counselors* (1...
Library
He Calls Him WonderfulCounselor, Meaning of the Father...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 55 He calls Him
WonderfulCounselor, meaning of the Father? He calls Him...
Hebrew Craft
... "If he had, thou and I must no longer call him a poorcounselor.".... "Now is
a propitious hour for a goodcounselor," Kenkenes pursued....
Friendship.
... judicious and sympathetic friend," says Robert Hall, "may be said to have doubled
his mental resources." No man is wise enough to be his owncounselor, for he...
Hezekiah, the Praying King
... One thing, however, favored him. He was fortunate in having Isaiah for his
friend andcounselor when he assumed the crown of Judah....
Welcome Voice. SM
... SM. Christ the Guide andCounselor. (688)... 2 My wisdom and my guide, Mycounselor
thou art; Oh, never let me leave thy side, Or from thy paths depart....
Harvest Joy
... For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,Counselor, The mighty...
Trinity Sunday the Article of Faith on the Trinity.
... And it will ever be true as Saint Paul says: "For who hath known the mind of the
Lord, or who hath been hiscounselor?". 17.... or who hath been hiscounselor?...
The Heidelberg Catechism. AD 1563.
... of the Palatinate, and twice received a call to a professorship of theology at
Heidelberg (1546 and 1557), but declined, acted as the chiefcounselor in the...
The End of Cambyses.
... Croesus, who was now a venerable man, advanced in years, had been for a long
time the friend and faithfulcounselor of Cambyses's father....
The Acts of the Apostles
... in this remarkable book are in the truest sense the acts of the Spirit, for in
apostolic times it was the Holy Ghost who appeared as thecounselor and helper...
Thesaurus
Counselor (19 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Counselor (19 Occurrences).
... Luke 23:50 And behold, there
was a man named Joseph, a
counselor: and he was a good man, and a just: (WBS).
...Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)
... He is described as "the king'scounselor," in a context connected with events some
of which are dated in the fortieth year of David (1 Chronicles 27:33, 34...
Insight (39 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 26:14 The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son,
a wisecounselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. (See NAS)....
Succoth-benoth (1 Occurrence)
... Now there is a group which may be read either Dikut, "the Judge," or Sakut, "the
Counselor," and if we can read Succoth-benoth as Sakut(h)ban' wat(h), "the...
Succothbenoth (1 Occurrence)
... Now there is a group which may be read either Dikut, "the Judge," or Sakut, "the
Counselor," and if we can read Succoth-benoth as Sakut(h)ban' wat(h), "the...
Counselors (21 Occurrences)
Counsellors (21 Occurrences)
Wonderful (71 Occurrences)
... Other frequent words are pala', pele', a "marvel," "miracle" (Exodus 3:20; Exodus
15:11 Joshua 3:5 Isaiah 9:6, margin "wonderfulcounselor," etc.)....
Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)
... John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go
away, for if I don't go away, theCounselor won't come to you....
Uncle (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:32 Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was acounselor, a man of
understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's...
Resources
How do I choose a good Christian counselor/therapist? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)? | GotQuestions.orgWhen should a Christian couple seek marriage counseling? | GotQuestions.orgCounselor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
