In the biblical context, the term "counsellor" refers to one who provides guidance, wisdom, and advice. This role is significant throughout Scripture, as it often denotes someone who offers divine or wise counsel, whether in a spiritual, moral, or practical sense.

Old Testament Usage

The Hebrew word for counsellor is "yo'etz," which appears in various contexts. In the Old Testament, counsellors were often advisors to kings and leaders. For example, Ahithophel was a counsellor to King David, known for his astute advice (2 Samuel 16:23). However, his account also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of betrayal and the limits of human wisdom.

In Isaiah 9:6, the term takes on a messianic significance: "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." Here, "Wonderful Counselor" is one of the titles given to the prophesied Messiah, indicating His divine wisdom and guidance.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "symboulos" is used less frequently but carries a similar meaning. Jesus Christ is often seen as the ultimate counsellor, providing guidance through His teachings and the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16, Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, referred to as the "Helper" or "Counselor" in some translations: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever."

The role of the Holy Spirit as a counsellor is further emphasized in John 16:13: "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come."

Role in Wisdom Literature

The concept of wise counsel is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This highlights the importance of seeking and valuing wise advice.

Proverbs 15:22 also underscores this principle: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." The emphasis is on the collective wisdom that comes from multiple counsellors, reflecting the biblical value placed on community and shared insight.

Counsellor in the Life of Believers

For believers, the role of a counsellor is not limited to human advisors but extends to the divine guidance provided by God through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. 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."

In the church, leaders and elders often serve as counsellors, providing spiritual guidance and support to the congregation. The pastoral epistles, such as 1 Timothy and Titus, outline the qualifications and responsibilities of church leaders, emphasizing their role in teaching and guiding the flock.

Overall, the concept of a counsellor in the Bible encompasses both human and divine sources of wisdom, underscoring the importance of seeking guidance in all aspects of life.An adviser (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22), a king's state counsellor (2 Samuel 15:12). Used once of the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6). In Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50, the word probably means a member of the Jewish Sanhedrim. COUNSEL; COUNSELLOR

koun'-sel, koun'-seler (sumboulion): Ordinarily found as object of verb "to take" or "to give," expressing, beside the idea of a practical end to be reached, that of consultation and deliberation among those united in a common cause (Matthew 12:14 Mark 3:6). A counselor (sumboulos) is a confidential adviser (Romans 11:34); often in the Old Testament (Isaiah 9:6 Proverbs 24:6, etc.). Confounded in the King James Version with "councillor" (see above), the latter being an official adviser, which the former does not necessarily mean.

1010. bouleutes -- a councilor
... counselor. From bouleuo; an adviser, ie (specially) a councillor or member
of the Jewish Sanhedrin -- counsellor. see GREEK bouleuo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1010.htm - 6k

4825. sumboulos -- a counselor
... counselor. From sun and boule; a consultor, ie Adviser -- counsellor. see GREEK
sun. see GREEK boule. (sumboulos) -- 1 Occurrence. 4824, 4825. sumboulos. 4826 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4825.htm - 7k

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 ...
/hebrew/3272.htm - 5k

1884. dethabar -- a judge
... counselor. (Aramaic) of Pers. Origin; meaning one skilled in law; a judge --
counsellor. 1883, 1884. dethabar. 1885 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1884.htm - 5k

3263. Yeuts -- a Benjamite
... Word Origin from uts Definition a Benjamite NASB Word Usage Jeuz (1). Jeuz. From
uwts; counsellor; Jeuts, an Israelite -- Jeuz. see HEBREW uwts. 3262, 3263. ...
/hebrew/3263.htm - 6k

1907. haddabar -- counselor, minister
... officials (3). counselor. (Aramaic) probably of foreign origin; a vizier --
counsellor. 1906, 1907. haddabar. 1908 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1907.htm - 6k

His Name --The Counsellor
... His Name"The Counsellor. A Sermon (No.215). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, September
26, 1858, by the. REV. ... It was by a Counsellor that this world was ruined. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namethe counsellor.htm

A Young Man's Best Counsellor
... THE PROVERBS A YOUNG MAN'S BEST COUNSELLOR. 'The proverbs of Solomon the son
of David, king of Israel; 2. To know wisdom and instruction ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a young mans best counsellor.htm

Chapter xiii.
... a greatly beloved friend: for this, certainly, is something which we may rightly
call a member which we ardently love; and this friend a counsellor, for it is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xiii.htm

David's Sorrow.
... make him king. He also took two hundred men out of Jerusalem to help him,
and one of them was David's counsellor. They had arranged ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv davids sorrow.htm

That "Through Whom" is Said Also in the Case of the Father, and " ...
... The apostle has just quoted from the prophecy of Isaiah, "Who hath known the mind
of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor," [737] and then goes on, "For ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter v that through whom.htm

God his Own Interpreter.
... unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon
his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty ...
/.../x god his own interpreter.htm

Characters and Names of Messiah
... and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor,. ... (2.). Another of His names is Counsellor. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ix characters and names.htm

The Kingdom and the King
... unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon
His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kingdom and the king.htm

Joseph of Arimathea
... JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA. BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, DD. LL.B. "Joseph of Arimathea, an
honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God.""Mark 15:43. ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/joseph of arimathea.htm

The Reason of the Order of the Sons of Rachel.
... And this is what Isaiah of old had predicted, Isa. C. ix. Matt. C. iv. v.14.; that
"the wonderful Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, (Sept. ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/the reason of the order 2.htm

Counsellor (16 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An adviser (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22), a king's state counsellor
(2 Samuel 15:12). ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COUNSEL; COUNSELLOR. ...
/c/counsellor.htm - 12k

Absalom (93 Occurrences)
... opposition. Ahithophel, who had been David's chief counsellor, deserted him
and joined Absalom, whose chief counsellor he now became. ...
/a/absalom.htm - 50k

Counselling (9 Occurrences)

/c/counselling.htm - 9k

Honourable (72 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for
the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body ...
/h/honourable.htm - 28k

Counsellors (21 Occurrences)

/c/counsellors.htm - 13k

Versed (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 3:3 the captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and
the clever among artificers, and the one versed in enchantments. (DBY). ...
/v/versed.htm - 8k

Villainy (4 Occurrences)
... evil design. (See RSV). Nahum 1:11 From thee hath come forth a deviser of
evil Against Jehovah -- a worthless counsellor. (See RSV). ...
/v/villainy.htm - 7k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... The prophet Jeremiah was his counsellor, yet "he did evil in the sight of the Lord"
(2 Kings 24:19, 20; Jeremiah 52:2, 3). He ascended the throne at the age of ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Nail (9 Occurrences)
... This word is also used metaphorically (Zechariah 10:4) for a prince or
counsellor, just as "the battle-bow" represents a warrior. ...
/n/nail.htm - 14k

Orator (3 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Isaiah 3:3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor,
and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. (KJV WBS). ...
/o/orator.htm - 9k

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