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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Senator</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/senator.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/genesis/1-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/senator.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Senator</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/naves/s/senate--the_sanhedrin.htm" title="Senate: The Sanhedrin">◄</a> Senator <a href="/topical/s/senators.htm" title="Senators">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "senator" as understood in contemporary political contexts does not appear directly in the Bible. However, the concept of a governing body or council of elders, which shares similarities with a senate, is present in biblical texts. In ancient Israel, elders played a significant role in governance and decision-making, akin to the function of senators in modern legislative bodies.<br><br><b>Elders in Israelite Society</b><br><br>In the Old Testament, elders were respected leaders within the community, often tasked with making important decisions and providing guidance. They were typically older men recognized for their wisdom and experience. The Hebrew word "zaqen" is often translated as "elder" and denotes someone of advanced age and status. Elders were involved in various aspects of governance, including legal matters, religious observances, and community leadership.<br><br>For example, in the Book of Exodus, Moses is instructed to gather the elders of Israel to communicate God's messages (<a href="/exodus/3-16.htm">Exodus 3:16</a>). The elders also played a role in the administration of justice, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/21.htm">Deuteronomy 21:1-9</a>, where they are involved in the resolution of unsolved murders.<br><br><b>The Sanhedrin</b><br><br>In the New Testament, the Sanhedrin serves as a prominent example of a governing council with similarities to a senate. The Sanhedrin was the supreme religious and judicial body in Jerusalem, composed of chief priests, scribes, and elders. It held significant authority over Jewish religious and civil matters during the time of Jesus and the early church.<br><br>The Sanhedrin is mentioned in several New Testament passages, including the trial of Jesus. In <a href="/mark/14-55.htm">Mark 14:55</a>, the Sanhedrin seeks testimony against Jesus to put Him to death. The Apostle Paul also appears before the Sanhedrin in <a href="/acts/22-30.htm">Acts 22:30-23</a>:10, where he defends his ministry and teachings.<br><br><b>Roman Influence</b><br><br>During the Roman occupation of Judea, the concept of a senate was well-established in Roman governance. The Roman Senate was a political institution in ancient Rome, composed of leaders who advised and influenced the emperor. While the Roman Senate itself is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the influence of Roman political structures is evident in the New Testament context.<br><br>The Apostle Paul, a Roman citizen, navigated the complexities of Roman law and governance in his missionary journeys. His interactions with Roman officials, such as governors and centurions, reflect the broader political environment of the time.<br><br><b>Biblical Principles of Leadership</b><br><br>While the Bible does not explicitly mention senators, it provides principles for leadership and governance that can be applied to those in such roles. Leaders are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>). They are to serve with integrity, seek wisdom, and prioritize the well-being of those they lead.<br><br>In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that true leadership is characterized by servanthood. In <a href="/mark/10-42.htm">Mark 10:42-45</a>, He contrasts the domineering style of Gentile rulers with the servant leadership He exemplifies: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all."<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>While the specific role of a senator is not found in the biblical text, the principles of leadership, governance, and the role of councils and elders provide a framework for understanding the responsibilities and character expected of those in positions of authority. The biblical narrative emphasizes justice, wisdom, and servanthood as key attributes for leaders, offering timeless guidance for those who govern.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) A member of a senate.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) A member of the king's council; a king's councilor.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">SENATE; SENATOR</span><p>sen'-at, sen'-a-ter: In <a href="/psalms/105-22.htm">Psalm 105:22</a>, "teach his senators (the Revised Version (British and American) "elders") wisdom." The Hebrew is zaqen, "elder" Septuagint presbuteroi). In <a href="/acts/5-21.htm">Acts 5:21</a>, "called the council together and all the senate of the children of Israel." The Greek gerousia, is here evidently used as a more precise equivalent of the foregoing "council" (sunedrion), to which it is added by kai, explicative. Reference is had to the Sanhedrin. See <a href="../s/sanhedrin.htm">SANHEDRIN</a>. This term gerousia occurs in Septuagint <a href="/exodus/3-16.htm">Exodus 3:16</a>, etc., and in 1 Maccabees 12:6; 2 Maccabees 1:10; 4:44 of the supreme council of the Jews (see GOVERNMENT). In 1 Maccabees 8:15; 12:3, bouleuterion, is used of the Roman senate, which is said to consist of 320 members meeting daily, consulting always for the people, to the end that they may be well governed. These statements are not quite accurate, since the senate consisted normally of 300 members, and met not daily, but on call of the magistrates. Originally, like the gerousia of the Jews, the representatives of families and clans (gentes), the senators were subsequently the ex-magistrates, supplemented, to complete the tale of members, by representatives of patrician (in time also of plebeian) families selected by the censor. The tenure was ordinarily for life, though it might be terminated for cause by the censor. Although constitutionally the senate was only an advisory body, its advice (senatus consultum, auctoritas) in fact became in time a mandate which few dared to disregard. During the republican period the senate practically ruled Rome; under the empire it tended more and more to become the creature and subservient tool of the emperors.<br><br>William Arthur Heidel<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/2205.htm"><span class="l">2205. zaqen -- old</span></a><br><b>...</b> aged, ancient man, elder, old man, men and. From zaqen; old -- aged, ancient (man),<br> elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), <b>senator</b>. see HEBREW zaqen. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/2205.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/theodoret/the_ecclesiastical_history_of_theodoret/xciii_to_senator_the_patrician.htm"><span class="l">To <b>Senator</b> the Patrician.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> To <b>Senator</b> the Patrician. <b>...</b> Footnotes: [1805] <b>Senator</b> was consul in 436, three years<br> after the probable date of Theodoret's earlier letter to him (cf. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xciii to senator the patrician.htm</font><p><a href="/library/theodoret/the_ecclesiastical_history_of_theodoret/xliv_to_the_patrician_senator.htm"><span class="l">To the Patrician <b>Senator</b>.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, XLIV. To the Patrician <b>Senator</b>. Thanks<br> be to the Saviour of the world because to your greatness <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xliv to the patrician senator.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gregory/the_epistles_of_saint_gregory_the_great/epistle_viii_to_senator_abbot.htm"><span class="l">Epistle viii. To <b>Senator</b>, Abbot.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Epistle VIII. To <b>Senator</b>, Abbot. To <b>Senator</b>, Abbot. Gregory to <b>Senator</b>, presbyter<br> and abbot of a hospital (or guest-house, xenodochii). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle viii to senator abbot.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bacheller/vergilius/chapter_3_he_is_more.htm"><span class="l">"He is More Honored than Jupiter These Days," the Philosopher was <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> "The dear old girl!" said young Gracus, in a low tone, as he turned to the <b>senator</b>. <b>...</b><br> "Good <b>senator</b>, I have considered. You ask for two hundred thousand denarii. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 3 he is more.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pamphilius/church_history/chapter_xxi_how_appolonius_suffered_martyrdom.htm"><span class="l">How Appolonius Suffered Martyrdom at Rome.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [1673] Jerome (de vir. ill. chap. 42, and Epist. ad Magnum, 4) calls<br> Apollonius a Roman <b>senator</b>. It is possible that this is only <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxi how appolonius suffered martyrdom.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/our_lords_sermon_on_the_mount/chapter_iv_2.htm"><span class="l">Chapter iv.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> For if any plebeian should be permitted by the party himself to call a <b>senator</b> of<br> more advanced age father; without doubt he would tremble, and would not <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter iv 2.htm</font><p><a href="/library/medley/the_church_and_the_empire/chapter_xvi_the_fall_of.htm"><span class="l">The Fall of the Empire and of the Papacy</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The Guelf party in Rome had already elected Charles as <b>senator</b>, or head of<br> the civic commune, in opposition to the Ghibelline Manfred. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xvi the fall of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/lactantius/of_the_manner_in_which_the_persecutors_died/chap_xl_there_was_a.htm"><span class="l">There was a Certain Matron of High Rank who Already had <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> The other, married to a <b>senator</b>, was intimately connected with the empress.<br> Excellent beauty and virtue proved the cause of their death. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../lactantius/of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xl there was a.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/jerome_and_gennadius_lives_of_illustrious_men_/list_of_writers.htm"><span class="l">List of Writers.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Serapion the bishop. 42. Apollonius the <b>senator</b>. 43. Theophilus another bishop. <b>...</b> Optatus<br> the bishop. 111. Acilius Severus the <b>senator</b>. 112. Cyril the bishop. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /list of writers.htm</font><p><a href="/library/basil/basil_letters_and_select_works/iii_life_at_caesarea_baptism_and.htm"><span class="l">Life at C??sarea; Baptism; and Adoption of Monastic Life.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [71] One day a <b>senator</b> named Syncletius came to Basil to be admitted to his monastery,<br> with the statement that he had renounced his property, excepting only a <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../basil/basil letters and select works/iii life at caesarea baptism and.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/senator.htm"><span class="l"><b>Senator</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> 1. (n.) A member of a senate. 2. (n.) A member of the king's council; a king's<br> councilor. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SENATE; <b>SENATOR</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/senator.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/senate.htm"><span class="l">Senate (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> matters of general concern affecting the students. Int. Standard Bible<br> Encyclopedia. SENATE; <b>SENATOR</b>. sen'-at, sen'-a-ter: In Psalm <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/senate.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/father.htm"><span class="l">Father (11359 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> counsel, or protection. 4. (n.) A respectful mode of address to an old man.<br> 5. (n.) A <b>senator</b> of ancient Rome. 6. (n.) A dignitary <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/father.htm - 21k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/aquila.htm"><span class="l">Aquila (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The conjecture that Aquila was a freedman and that his master had been Aquila Pontius,<br> the Roman <b>senator</b>, and that from him he received his name is without <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/aquila.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/senators.htm"><span class="l">Senators (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/senators.htm - 6k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/civil-disobedience.html">When is civil disobedience allowed for a Christian? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/National-Day-of-Prayer.html">What is the National Day of Prayer? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Roman-legion.html">What was a Roman legion? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/senator.htm">Senator: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/senator.htm">Senator</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/senator.htm">Senator</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/senate.htm">Senate (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rome.htm">Rome (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/praetorian.htm">Praetorian (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/send.htm">Send (3254 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/guard.htm">Guard (185 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bind.htm">Bind (68 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/separate.htm">Separate (115 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/army.htm">Army (401 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/roman.htm">Roman (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/apocryphal.htm">Apocryphal</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/law.htm">Law (670 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/acts.htm">Acts (271 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/s/senate--the_sanhedrin.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Senate: The Sanhedrin"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Senate: The Sanhedrin" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/s/senators.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Senators"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Senators" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>