Arbiter
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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 Context

In 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 Context

In 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 Significance

The 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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3316.htm - 7k

3315. mesiteuo -- to interpose, mediate
... confirm. From mesites; to interpose (as arbiter), ie (by implication) to ratify
(as surety) -- confirm. see GREEK mesites. (emesiteusen) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3315.htm - 6k

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 an arbiter; a cause ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2922.htm - 6k

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 as arbiter in the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1018.htm - 7k

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 as arbiter between the ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter ii gregory vii and.htm

Peace on Earth through Righteousness
... We have fought in this twentieth century against the pagan German doctrine
of war as the supreme arbiter between the tribes of mankind. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/ii peace on earth through.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... The men of his village, observing his merits, chose him to be the arbiter of all
their disputes, and, being secretly ambitious of sovereign power, he did his ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Law of Change, or Mutation, Universal.
... Glance at Palestine. Where Jordan's river is the arbiter of boundaries, (behold)
a vast waste, and a bereaved region, and bootless land! ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter ii the law of change.htm

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 the arbiter of his ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/iii why was evolution the.htm

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 an arbiter in disputes ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter seven kingos later years.htm

Hymns of Hope and Consolation.
... copy in translation: Hora novissima; tempora pessima sunt; Vigilemus! Ecce
minaciter imminet Arbiter, Ille Supremus! 'Tis the last ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter xiv hymns of hope.htm

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.]. ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter vi the angel the forerunner.htm

Hymnus Matutinus
... prima in vesperum. Hic testis, hic est arbiter, his intuetur quidquid est,
110 humana quod mens concipit; hunc nemo fallit iudicem. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ii hymnus matutinus.htm

Eighth Day. Submission to God's Word.
... Make the Bible the arbiter in all difficulties"the ultimate court of appeal. Like
Mary, "sit at the feet of Jesus," willing only to learn of Him. ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/eighth day submission to gods.htm

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 ...
/a/arbiter.htm - 7k

Daysman (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An umpire or arbiter or judge (Job 9:33). ... Noah Webster's
Dictionary. (n.) An umpire or arbiter; a mediator. Int. ...
/d/daysman.htm - 9k

Arbitrate (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Arbitrate (1 Occurrence). Job 9:33 There is no arbiter
betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. (See NIV). ...
/a/arbitrate.htm - 7k

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 ...
/i/indicted.htm - 6k

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 ...
/d/deprive.htm - 11k

Arbite (1 Occurrence)

/a/arbite.htm - 7k

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 of arbiter, and seeing ...
/l/latin.htm - 28k

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 ...
/s/snare.htm - 31k

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 of arbiter, and seeing ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

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 ...
/i/innocent.htm - 37k

Resources
Why should I care if God exists? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Mecca in Islam? | GotQuestions.org

What impact did the Renaissance have on Christianity? | GotQuestions.org

Arbiter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Arbiter (3 Occurrences)

Luke 12:14
But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"
(See NIV)

Job 9:33
There is no umpire betwixt us, That might lay his hand upon us both.
(See JPS)

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 testimony.
(WEB)

Subtopics

Arbiter

Related Terms

Umpire (1 Occurrence)

Arbitration (1 Occurrence)

Arbiter (3 Occurrences)

City

Arbite
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