In the biblical context, the term "Counselor" is often associated with wisdom, guidance, and the provision of sound advice. The role of a counselor is significant throughout Scripture, as it reflects the need for divine guidance and the importance of seeking wise counsel in decision-making.

Old Testament References

The concept of a counselor is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. In Proverbs, the value of wise counsel is frequently emphasized. Proverbs 11:14 states, "For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors there is deliverance." This highlights the importance of seeking multiple sources of wisdom to ensure sound decision-making and stability.

Isaiah 9:6 is a prophetic passage that refers to the coming Messiah as a "Wonderful Counselor": "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." This title underscores the Messiah's role in providing divine wisdom and guidance to His people.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the role of the Holy Spirit as a Counselor is prominent. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "Counselor" or "Helper" in John 14:16-17 : "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." The Holy Spirit is depicted as a source of truth and guidance for believers, continuing the work of Christ by providing wisdom and comfort.

Role of Human Counselors

The Bible also acknowledges the role of human counselors in providing guidance. In Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, acts as a counselor to Moses, advising him to delegate responsibilities to capable men to avoid burnout. This account illustrates the practical application of wise counsel in leadership and administration.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, often emphasizes the importance of mutual counsel and encouragement within the Christian community. In Colossians 3:16 , he writes, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." This passage highlights the communal aspect of counseling, where believers are encouraged to support and guide one another in wisdom.

Attributes of a Godly Counselor

A godly counselor, according to biblical principles, should possess certain attributes. These include wisdom, discernment, humility, and a deep understanding of God's Word. 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." This underscores the belief that true wisdom and effective counsel are ultimately derived from God.

Conclusion

The role of a counselor in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine guidance through the Holy Spirit, the prophetic wisdom of Christ, and the practical advice of human advisors. Whether through the direct intervention of God or the wise counsel of others, the biblical narrative consistently underscores the importance of seeking and heeding sound advice.1. (n.) One who counsels; an adviser.

2. (n.) A member of council; one appointed to advise a sovereign or chief magistrate. [See under Consilor.]

3. (n.) One whose profession is to give advice in law, and manage causes for clients in court; a barrister.

4825. sumboulos -- a counselor
... a counselor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sumboulos Phonetic
Spelling: (soom'-boo-los) Short Definition: an adviser, counselor Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4825.htm - 7k

1010. bouleutes -- a councilor
... at Jerusalem. Word Origin from bouleuo Definition a councilor NASB Word
Usage member of the council (2). counselor. From bouleuo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1010.htm - 6k

1907. haddabar -- counselor, minister
... 1906, 1907. haddabar. 1908 . counselor, minister. Transliteration: haddabar
Phonetic Spelling: (had-daw-bawr') Short Definition: officials. ... counselor. ...
/hebrew/1907.htm - 6k

3272a. yaet -- counselor
... yaet. 3272b . counselor. Transliteration: yaet Short Definition: counselors. Word
Origin (Aramaic) from yeat Definition counselor NASB Word Usage counselors ( ...
/hebrew/3272a.htm - 5k

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

148. adargazar -- a counselor
... 147, 148. adargazar. 149 . a counselor. Transliteration: adargazar Phonetic
Spelling: (ad-ar''-gaw-zare') Short Definition: counselors. ...
/hebrew/148.htm - 6k

3289. yaats -- to advise, counsel
... 1), conspired (1), consult (2), consulted (8), counsel (4), counsel do you give
(2), counsel you have given (1), counseled (7), Counselor (1), counselor (10 ...
/hebrew/3289.htm - 6k

6098. etsah -- counsel, advice
... Word Origin from yaats Definition counsel, advice NASB Word Usage advice (11),
consultation (2), counsel (52), counselor* (1), counselors* (1), counsels (1 ...
/hebrew/6098.htm - 6k

1884. dethabar -- a judge
... judges. Word Origin (Aramaic) of foreign origin Definition a judge NASB
Word Usage judges (2). counselor. (Aramaic) of Pers. Origin ...
/hebrew/1884.htm - 5k

376. ish -- man
... 6), any man (21), any man's (4), any one (3), anyone (16), anyone* (1), archers*
(1), Benjamite* (3), certain (6), champion* (2), counselor* (1), counselors* (1 ...
/hebrew/376.htm - 7k

He Calls Him Wonderful Counselor, Meaning of the Father...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 55 He calls Him
Wonderful Counselor, meaning of the Father? He calls Him ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 55 he calls him.htm

Hebrew Craft
... "If he had, thou and I must no longer call him a poor counselor.". ... "Now is
a propitious hour for a good counselor," Kenkenes pursued. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xi hebrew craft.htm

Friendship.
... judicious and sympathetic friend," says Robert Hall, "may be said to have doubled
his mental resources." No man is wise enough to be his own counselor, for he ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/viii friendship.htm

Hezekiah, the Praying King
... One thing, however, favored him. He was fortunate in having Isaiah for his
friend and counselor when he assumed the crown of Judah. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/vi hezekiah the praying king.htm

Welcome Voice. SM
... SM. Christ the Guide and Counselor. (688) ... 2 My wisdom and my guide, My counselor
thou art; Oh, never let me leave thy side, Or from thy paths depart. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/318 welcome voice s m.htm

Harvest Joy
... For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/harvest joy.htm

Trinity Sunday the Article of Faith on the Trinity.
... And it will ever be true as Saint Paul says: "For who hath known the mind of the
Lord, or who hath been his counselor?". 17. ... or who hath been his counselor? ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/trinity sunday the article of.htm

The Heidelberg Catechism. AD 1563.
... of the Palatinate, and twice received a call to a professorship of theology at
Heidelberg (1546 and 1557), but declined, acted as the chief counselor in the ...
/.../ 69 the heidelberg catechism.htm

The End of Cambyses.
... Croesus, who was now a venerable man, advanced in years, had been for a long
time the friend and faithful counselor of Cambyses's father. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ii the end of.htm

The Acts of the Apostles
... in this remarkable book are in the truest sense the acts of the Spirit, for in
apostolic times it was the Holy Ghost who appeared as the counselor and helper ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/title page.htm

Counselor (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Counselor (19 Occurrences). ... Luke 23:50 And behold, there
was a man named Joseph, a counselor: and he was a good man, and a just: (WBS). ...
/c/counselor.htm - 12k

Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)
... He is described as "the king's counselor," in a context connected with events some
of which are dated in the fortieth year of David (1 Chronicles 27:33, 34 ...
/a/ahithophel.htm - 16k

Insight (39 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 26:14 The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son,
a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. (See NAS). ...
/i/insight.htm - 16k

Succoth-benoth (1 Occurrence)
... Now there is a group which may be read either Dikut, "the Judge," or Sakut, "the
Counselor," and if we can read Succoth-benoth as Sakut(h)ban' wat(h), "the ...
/s/succoth-benoth.htm - 9k

Succothbenoth (1 Occurrence)
... Now there is a group which may be read either Dikut, "the Judge," or Sakut, "the
Counselor," and if we can read Succoth-benoth as Sakut(h)ban' wat(h), "the ...
/s/succothbenoth.htm - 9k

Counselors (21 Occurrences)

/c/counselors.htm - 13k

Counsellors (21 Occurrences)

/c/counsellors.htm - 13k

Wonderful (71 Occurrences)
... Other frequent words are pala', pele', a "marvel," "miracle" (Exodus 3:20; Exodus
15:11 Joshua 3:5 Isaiah 9:6, margin "wonderful counselor," etc.). ...
/w/wonderful.htm - 29k

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)
... John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go
away, for if I don't go away, the Counselor won't come to you. ...
/n/nevertheless.htm - 37k

Uncle (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:32 Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of
understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's ...
/u/uncle.htm - 11k

How do I choose a good Christian counselor/therapist? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)? | GotQuestions.org

When should a Christian couple seek marriage counseling? | GotQuestions.org

Counselor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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