<OL TYPE="1"><LI>elder, of age,<OL TYPE="a"><LI>the elder of two people<LI>advanced in life, an elder, a senior<OL TYPE="1"><LI>forefathers</OL></OL><LI>a term of rank or office<OL TYPE="a"><LI>among the Jews<OL TYPE="1"><LI>members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men)<LI>of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice</OL><LI>among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably<LI>the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God</OL></OL>