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In the context of the Bible, the term "elite" is not explicitly used; however, the concept of an elite group or class can be inferred through various narratives and descriptions of certain individuals or groups who held positions of power, influence, or special favor in biblical history. These groups or individuals often played significant roles in the unfolding of God's plan as recorded in the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

1.Priestly Class: The tribe of Levi, and specifically the descendants of Aaron, were set apart as the priestly class in Israel. They were given the responsibility of performing sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle and later the temple. This priestly elite had unique access to God, symbolized by the High Priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). The Levites were not given a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Numbers 18:20).

2.Royalty and Nobility: The monarchy in Israel, beginning with King Saul and continuing through David and Solomon, established a royal elite. King David, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), and his son Solomon, known for his wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-34), exemplify the role of kings as leaders chosen by God to guide His people. The Davidic line was particularly significant, as it was through David's lineage that the Messiah was prophesied to come (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

3.Prophets: Although not an elite class in the traditional sense, prophets held a unique position as God's spokespeople. Figures like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah were called to deliver God's messages to kings and the people, often challenging the status quo and calling for repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant.

New Testament Context

1.Religious Leaders: In the New Testament, the Pharisees and Sadducees represented the religious elite of Jewish society. They were influential in religious and political matters, often clashing with Jesus over interpretations of the Law and issues of authority (Matthew 23:1-36). Jesus criticized them for their hypocrisy and for placing burdens on the people without offering true spiritual guidance.

2.Apostles: The twelve apostles, chosen by Jesus, formed an elite group of disciples entrusted with spreading the Gospel and establishing the early Church. They were given authority to perform miracles and teach in Jesus' name (Matthew 10:1-8). The apostle Paul, though not one of the original twelve, played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity and the writing of much of the New Testament.

3.Early Church Leaders: As the Church grew, certain individuals emerged as leaders and teachers, such as James, the brother of Jesus, and Barnabas. These leaders were instrumental in guiding the early Christian communities and addressing theological and practical issues, as seen in the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).

Spiritual Elite

The concept of spiritual elitism is addressed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches that greatness in the Kingdom of God is not about status or power but about servanthood and humility. Jesus said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:26-28).

In the epistles, Paul emphasizes that in Christ, there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, for all are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). This teaching underscores the idea that spiritual elitism has no place in the body of Christ, where all believers are equal before God and are called to serve one another in love.(n.) A choice or select body; the flower; as, the elite of society.4749. stole -- equipment, apparel
... upper classes in the East. 4749 -- a long, flowing robe worn by theelite
(people of high station, wealth). "4749 () is , worn by...
2428. chayil -- strength, efficiency, wealth, army
... from chul Definition strength, efficiency, wealth, army NASB Word Usage able (5),
armies (3), army (82), army* (1), capability (1), capable (3),elite army (1...

1017. Beth Haeli -- an inhabitant of Bethel
... Bethelite. Patrial from Beyth-'El with the article interposed; a Beth-elite, or
inhabitant of Bethel -- Bethelite. see HEBREW Beyth-'El. 1016, 1017....

Jesus' Conditions of Friendship.
... services, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," but they limited the word neighbor
until it included only the circle of the socially and spirituallyelite...

Introduction
... They were ascetics observing continence (ch.38:2). They boasted of "gnosis""secret
knowledge of the faith, that is, revealed only to theelite (ch.48:5...

Christ's Strange Thanksgiving
... 1. The Gospel addresses itself to all men"man as man"not to what is sectional
or accidental, not to classes, not to schools, not to theelite....

'Before Governors and Kings'
... A king and his sister, a Roman governor, and all theelite of Caesarean society,
ready to take their cue from the faces of these three, did not daunt Paul....

The Christian Conception of Life Has Already Arisen in Our Society...
... So that nowadays the wealthy class and men at the head of government do not constitute,
as they did in former days, theELITE of society; on the contrary, they...

The Scientific Aspects of Positivism.
... nations civilisees, dans la fondation seculaire de ce chef-d'oeuvre politique de
la sagesse humaine, doivent etre enfin irrevocablement perdus pour l'elite de l...

The Third Kingdom
... "Philosophers had drawn their pupils from theelite of humanity; but Christ finds
His material among the worst and meanest, for He does not propose merely to...

'Give Me to Drink'
... So unlike His nation was He that the veryelite of His nation snarled at Him and
said, 'Thou art a Samaritan!' So unlike them was He that one feels that a...

The Good Man's Life and Death
... And yet there are, I trust, a noble few, theelite of God's elect, a few chosen
men and women on whose heads there is the crown and diadem of dedication, who...

'It is the Lord!'
... couched in that grand principle, Love that thou mayest know; love, and thou art
filled with the fullness of God, Not for the handful, not for theelite of the...

Elite (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A choice or select body; the flower; as, theelite
of society. Multi-Version ConcordanceElite (2 Occurrences)....

Beth-elite (1 Occurrence)
Beth-elite. Bethelite, Beth-elite. Beth-el-luz . Multi-Version
Concordance Beth-elite (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 16:34...

Eliu

Elisimus

Bethelite (1 Occurrence)

Beth-el-luz (1 Occurrence)
Beth-el-luz. Beth-elite, Beth-el-luz. Bethel-sarezer . Multi-Version Concordance...
Beth-elite, Beth-el-luz. Bethel-sarezer . Reference Bible.

Samson (37 Occurrences)
... "So the dead which he slew at his death were more [in social and political
importance=theelite of the people] than they which he slew in his life."....

First-born (110 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:34 In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation
thereof with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates...

Judaeus
... Philo's anthropology therefore ends in contempt for this life, which is in no wise
worth while, and in a counsel of perfection available only for a selectelite...

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