Topical Encyclopedia
An arbiter, in biblical terms, refers to a person who is appointed to settle disputes or make judgments between parties. The concept of an arbiter is closely related to the roles of judges and mediators in the Bible, who were often called upon to resolve conflicts and administer justice according to God's laws.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the role of an arbiter is often seen in the context of judges and leaders who were appointed by God to guide the Israelites. For example, Moses served as an arbiter when he judged disputes among the people of Israel. In
Exodus 18:13-16, Moses is described as sitting to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. His father-in-law, Jethro, advised him to appoint capable men to serve as judges for smaller matters, while Moses would handle the more difficult cases.
The Book of Job also provides insight into the desire for an arbiter. Job, in his suffering, longs for someone to mediate between him and God. In
Job 9:33 , he laments, "Nor is there a mediator between us, to lay his hand upon us both." This reflects the human need for an intermediary who can understand both parties and bring about reconciliation.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of an arbiter is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.
1 Timothy 2:5 states, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Jesus' role as a mediator is central to Christian theology, as He bridges the gap caused by sin and provides a way for reconciliation with God.
The New Testament also addresses the role of believers in resolving disputes among themselves. In
Matthew 18:15-17 , Jesus provides a process for addressing sin within the church, emphasizing the importance of resolving conflicts in a manner that seeks restoration and unity. The passage encourages believers to first address the issue privately, then with witnesses, and finally, if necessary, bring it before the church.
Theological SignificanceThe role of an arbiter in the Bible underscores the importance of justice, reconciliation, and peace. It highlights God's desire for His people to live in harmony and to resolve conflicts in a manner that reflects His character. The ultimate fulfillment of the arbiter role is found in Jesus Christ, who not only mediates between God and humanity but also empowers believers to be peacemakers in their communities.
In summary, the biblical concept of an arbiter is deeply rooted in the principles of justice and reconciliation, with Jesus Christ serving as the perfect mediator who brings about peace between God and mankind.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A person appointed to judge a controversy between two parties.
2. (n.) Any person who has the power of judging and determining, or ordaining, without control; one whose power of deciding and governing is not limited.
3. (v. t.) To act as arbiter between.
Greek
3316. mesites -- an arbitrator, a mediator... Phonetic Spelling: (mes-ee'-tace) Short Definition: a mediator, go-between Definition:
(a) a mediator, intermediary, (b) a go-between,
arbiter, agent of
...3315. mesiteuo -- to interpose, mediate
... confirm. From mesites; to interpose (asarbiter), ie (by implication) to ratify
(as surety) -- confirm. see GREEK mesites. (emesiteusen) -- 1 Occurrence....
2922. kriterion -- a law court
... Phonetic Spelling: (kree-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: criterion, a law-court
Definition: criterion; a law-court; a law-case before anarbiter; a cause...
1018. brabeuo -- to act as umpire
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: brabeuo Phonetic Spelling: (brab-yoo'-o) Short
Definition: I rule, arbitrate Definition: (lit: to act asarbiter in the...
Library
Gregory vii and Lay Investiture
... in dispute between himself and his opponents as practically settled by his promise
of submission, whereas the Pope desired to pose asarbiter between the...
Peace on Earth through Righteousness
... We have fought in this twentieth century against the pagan German doctrine
of war as the supremearbiter between the tribes of mankind....
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... The men of his village, observing his merits, chose him to be thearbiter of all
their disputes, and, being secretly ambitious of sovereign power, he did his...
The Law of Change, or Mutation, Universal.
... Glance at Palestine. Where Jordan's river is thearbiter of boundaries, (behold)
a vast waste, and a bereaved region, and bootless land!...
Why was Evolution the Method Chosen?
... sphere, and in an infinitely profounder sense, has the sovereignty passed to him,
For, by the same decree, he finds himself the guardian and thearbiter of his...
Kingo's Later Years
... at least every Wednesday in Lent and on all festival Sundays; examine the work and
conduct of all pastors within the diocese; act as anarbiter in disputes...
Hymns of Hope and Consolation.
... copy in translation: Hora novissima; tempora pessima sunt; Vigilemus! Ecce
minaciter imminetArbiter, Ille Supremus! 'Tis the last...
The Angel the Forerunner of the Holy Spirit Meaning Contained in...
... baptized had come out of the waters and received the "unction.". [8585] Luke
1:76. [8586]Arbiter. [Ecclesiastes 5:6, and Acts 12:15.]....
Hymnus Matutinus
... prima in vesperum. Hic testis, hic estarbiter, his intuetur quidquid est,
110 humana quod mens concipit; hunc nemo fallit iudicem....
Eighth Day. Submission to God's Word.
... Make the Bible thearbiter in all difficulties"the ultimate court of appeal. Like
Mary, "sit at the feet of Jesus," willing only to learn of Him....
Thesaurus
Arbiter (3 Occurrences)... governing is not limited. 3. (vt) To act as
arbiter between. Multi-Version
Concordance
Arbiter (3 Occurrences). Luke 12:14 But
...Daysman (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An umpire orarbiter or judge (Job 9:33).... Noah Webster's
Dictionary. (n.) An umpire orarbiter; a mediator. Int....
Arbitrate (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Arbitrate (1 Occurrence). Job 9:33 There is noarbiter
betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. (See NIV)....
Indicted (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 29:21 who cause a person to be indicted by a word, and lay a snare for the
arbiter in the gate, and who deprive the innocent of justice with false...
Deprive (17 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 29:21 who cause a person to be indicted by a word, and lay a snare for the
arbiter in the gate, and who deprive the innocent of justice with false...
Arbite (1 Occurrence)
Latin (2 Occurrences)
... an old so that after so many copies of the Scriptures have been dispersed throughout
the whole world I am as it were to occupy the post ofarbiter, and seeing...
Snare (69 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 29:21 who cause a person to be indicted by a word, and lay a snare for the
arbiter in the gate, and who deprive the innocent of justice with false...
Version
... an old so that after so many copies of the Scriptures have been dispersed throughout
the whole world I am as it were to occupy the post ofarbiter, and seeing...
Innocent (97 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 29:21 who cause a person to be indicted by a word, and lay a snare for the
arbiter in the gate, and who deprive the innocent of justice with false...
Resources
Why should I care if God exists? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Mecca in Islam? | GotQuestions.orgWhat impact did the Renaissance have on Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgArbiter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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