In the context of the Bible, the concept of a representative is deeply rooted in the idea of individuals or groups acting on behalf of others, often in a covenantal or mediatorial role. This concept is evident throughout both the Old and New Testaments, where certain figures are chosen to stand in for others, either before God or in leadership roles among the people.

Old Testament Examples

1. Adam as a Representative of Humanity: Adam is often viewed as the federal head of the human race. His actions in the Garden of Eden had consequences for all of humanity. Romans 5:12-19 discusses how sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, thus affecting all people.

2. Moses as a Mediator: Moses serves as a representative of the Israelites before God. He intercedes on their behalf, receives the Law, and communicates God's will to the people. In Exodus 32:11-14, Moses pleads with God to spare the Israelites after they sin by worshiping the golden calf.

3. The High Priest: The high priest in Israel served as a representative of the people before God, especially on the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16 describes how the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation.

4. David as a Kingly Representative: King David is seen as a representative of God's chosen people, Israel. His leadership and covenant with God (2 Samuel 7:12-16) establish a royal lineage that points to the coming Messiah.

New Testament Fulfillment

1. Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Representative: Jesus is the ultimate representative and mediator between God and humanity. He fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king. Hebrews 9:15 states, "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."

2. The Apostles: The apostles serve as representatives of Christ to the early church and the world. They are commissioned to spread the Gospel and establish the church. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul writes, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God."

3. Believers as Representatives: All Christians are called to be representatives of Christ in the world. This is seen in the call to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16) and to live lives that reflect the character and teachings of Jesus.

Theological Implications

The concept of representation in the Bible underscores the importance of mediation and intercession. It highlights the need for a mediator between a holy God and sinful humanity, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This representative role also emphasizes the responsibility of leaders and believers to act faithfully on behalf of others, whether in spiritual, communal, or familial contexts.1. (a.) Fitted to represent; exhibiting a similitude.

2. (a.) Bearing the character or power of another; acting for another or others; as, a council representative of the people.

3. (a.) Conducted by persons chosen to represent, or act as deputies for, the people; as, a representative government.

4. (a.) Serving or fitted to present the full characters of the type of a group; typical; as, a representative genus in a family.

5. (a.) Similar in general appearance, structure, and habits, but living in different regions; -- said of certain species and varieties.

6. (a.) Giving, or existing as, a transcript of what was originally presentative knowledge; as, representative faculties; representative knowledge. See Presentative, 3 and Represent, 8.

7. (n.) One who, or that which, represents (anything); that which exhibits a likeness or similitude.

8. (n.) An agent, deputy, or substitute, who supplies the place of another, or others, being invested with his or their authority.

9. (n.) One who represents, or stands in the place of, another.

10. (n.) A member of the lower or popular house in a State legislature, or in the national Congress.

11. (n.) That which presents the full character of the type of a group.

12. (n.) A species or variety which, in any region, takes the place of a similar one in another region.

499. antitupos -- struck back, corresponding to
... representative, counterpart. Neuter of a compound of anti and tupos; corresponding
("antitype"), ie A representative, counterpart -- (like) figure (whereunto). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/499.htm - 7k

76. Adam -- Adam, the first man
... Adam. Of Hebrew origin ('Adam); Adam, the first man; typically (of Jesus) man (as
his representative) -- Adam. see HEBREW 'Adam. (adam) -- 9 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/76.htm - 6k

4243. presbeuo -- to be the elder, to take precedence
... be an ambassador. From the base of presbuteros; to be a senior, ie (by implication)
act as a representative (figuratively, preacher) -- be an ambassador. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4243.htm - 7k

6754. tselem -- an image
... From an unused root meaning to shade; a phantom, ie (figuratively) illusion,
resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol -- image, vain shew ...
/hebrew/6754.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 1), possess* (1), possession (4), power (44), prepared (1), prevailed* (1), reached*
(1), rebelled* (2), reined about* (1), representative (1), responsible* (1 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

The Accession of Darius.
... Otanes's republic."Principles of representation."Large assemblies."Nature of ancient
republics."Nature of a representative republic."Megabyzus."He ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

The Binding of Satan.
... The angel descending from heaven, must be a representative of his own order; for
at this epoch there are no other orders of beings for him to be a ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the binding of satan.htm

The Sacrifice of Christ.
... meaning of the English will emerge""if one died for all, then all died;" and the
apostle's argument runs thus, that if one acts as the representative of all ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/vii the sacrifice of christ.htm

Justification by Faith
... by sin. And so death passed upon all men," as being contained in him who
was the common father and representative of us all. Thus ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 5 justification by faith.htm

Jesus, Pilate and Herod.
... Then Caiaphas stepped forward in front of the crowd, and, bowing low, thus began,
"Governor and representative of the great Caesar, health and blessing to thee ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter vii jesus pilate and.htm

Forgiveness Made Easy
... The second rendering of the text would be this, that God has forgiven us
because of the representative character of Christ. It should ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/forgiveness made easy.htm

Introductory
... But in order to realise this unity on earth Christ has appointed a representative,
the Pope, who is therefore the head of both spheres in this world. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/medley/the church and the empire/introductory.htm

The Shame and Spitting
... Let us view Him first as the representative of God; secondly, as the substitute
of His people, thirdly, as the servant of Jehovah; and fourthly, as the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/the shame and spitting.htm

Baptism --A Burial
... First, think of our representative union with Christ, so that when he died and was
buried it was on our behalf, and we were thus buried with him. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/baptisma burial.htm

Eighteenth Lesson Whose is this Image?'
... all in it. All the three expressions show us that man was meant, as God's
representative, to hold rule here on earth. As God's viceroy ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/eighteenth lesson whose is this.htm

Representative (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Bearing the character or power of another; acting for another or
others; as, a council representative of the people. 3. (a ...
/r/representative.htm - 10k

Ambassador (5 Occurrences)
... interpreter"; tsir, "to go"; hence a messenger; presbeuo, "to act as an ambassador,"
literally, to be older): An ambassador is an official representative of a ...
/a/ambassador.htm - 11k

Type (12 Occurrences)
... correlative to antitype. 4. (n.) That which possesses or exemplifies
characteristic qualities; the representative. 5. (n.) A general ...
/t/type.htm - 23k

Moon (70 Occurrences)
... wanderer"; by some given as "paleness"; selene): The moon was very early worshipped
by the nations of the Far East as a divinity or the representative of one ...
/m/moon.htm - 36k

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)
... The lower corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it reminded the
priest of his representative character, it was called the memorial (28:29). ...
/b/breastplate.htm - 24k

Presbyter
... 2. Based on the Synagogue Plan: The local synagogue of the Jewish church was under
the care and control of a body of representative men called "the elders ...
/p/presbyter.htm - 14k

Mediation
... In Moses we have for the first time a recognized national representative who acted
both as God's spokesman to the people, and the people's spokesman before God ...
/m/mediation.htm - 38k

Presbytery (1 Occurrence)
... 2. Based on the Synagogue Plan: The local synagogue of the Jewish church was under
the care and control of a body of representative men called "the elders ...
/p/presbytery.htm - 14k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... In Moses we have for the first time a recognized national representative who acted
both as God's spokesman to the people, and the people's spokesman before God ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Second (2060 Occurrences)
... of intense anxiety; he had even nervously regretted that he had written as he did
(2 Corinthians 7:5-8). Titus, who had gone as his representative to Corinth ...
/s/second.htm - 96k

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Representative: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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