Officials who, acting as God's servants, govern others and exercise authority over them. Also the originators of the laws of their realms. In the NT, rulers are also spiritual powers.
Officials exercising authority over people
Matthew 20:25 parallel Mark 10:42 See also 2 Chronicles 23:20; Psalm 2:2; Proverbs 28:2; Isaiah 16:1; Daniel 5:7; Hosea 13:10; Luke 1:52, Luke 12:11; Acts 7:27; Exodus 2:14; 1 Corinthians 2:6–8
But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.
Godly rulers in foreign lands
Importance of submitting to civil authorities
Examples of rulers
Rulers of areas apart from Israel
Genesis 25:16, Genesis 34:2, Genesis 41:41, Genesis 45:8; 2 Chronicles 32:31; Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 31:11; Daniel 9:1; Acts 7:10, Acts 7:18
The five Philistine rulers
Joshua 13:3 The Hebrew word translated “rulers” is related to the word “tyrant” and is only used of Philistines rulers. See also Judges 3:3, Judges 15:11, Judges 16:18; 1 Samuel 5:8, 1 Samuel 6:16, 1 Samuel 29:2; 1 Chronicles 12:19
from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)— that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;
The king of Israel is referred to as a ruler
2 Samuel 5:1–2 parallel 1 Chronicles 11:1–2 See also 1 Kings 1:34–35, 1 Kings 11:34; 1 Chronicles 5:2; Micah 5:1
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
Other rulers of Israel (or parts of it)
1 Kings 22:26 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:25; Nehemiah 3:9; Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 30:21; Micah 3:1; Matthew 2:6; Luke 18:18
One of three groups that made up the Sanhedrin
Acts 4:5 See also Luke 23:13, Luke 24:20; John 7:48; Acts 4:8, Acts 13:27
The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
Jesus Christ is described as a ruler
Revelation 1:5 See also Matthew 2:6; Micah 5:2; Revelation 3:14
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
God the Father is also called a ruler
A ruler as the originator of the laws of his realm
Rulers are appointed by God
Romans 13:1–2 See also 2 Samuel 6:21, 2 Samuel 7:7–8 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:6–7; 1 Kings 11:34; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 27:6; Daniel 2:38, Daniel 4:17; John 19:11; Romans 9:17; Exodus 9:16
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Rulers are God's servants
Romans 13:4 See also Isaiah 45:1; Jeremiah 25:9, Jeremiah 43:10
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
Rulers are God's representatives
Psalm 58:1 The Hebrew word translated “rulers” literally means “gods” a title given to those whose position called for them to act as earthly representatives of God's heavenly court. See also Psalm 82:1; John 10:34–35; Psalm 82:6; Acts 23:5; Exodus 22:28
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
Rulers as spiritual powers
Ephesians 3:10 See also Ephesians 1:21 In the NT, rulers are spiritual powers, some of whom exercise a Satanic authority; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:16
His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
Synagogue rulers
Mark 5:22 parallels Matthew 9:18, Luke 8:41 The ruler of a synagogue looked after the building and supervised the worship in it. See also Mark 5:35–36 parallel Luke 8:49–50; Mark 5:38; Luke 13:14; Acts 13:15, Acts 18:8, Acts 18:17
A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.