1 Samuel 8:4

the elders of Israel Acting as representatives of the people, 1 Samuel 8:7; 1 Samuel 8:10; 1 Samuel 8:19; 1 Samuel 8:22.

In a patriarchal system of government the Elders or heads of families are the natural authorities. Even before the Exodus Israel possessed an organization of Elders, to whom Moses was directed to deliver his message (Exodus 3:16). The title gradually acquired an officialsignification; in the wilderness Moses appointed a council of seventy to represent the whole body (Numbers 11:16; Numbers 11:24-25). After the occupation of Canaan we find mention of (a) Elders of cities, who acted as civil magistrates (Joshua 20:4; Judges 8:16; Ruth 4:2; 1 Samuel 16:4): (b) Elders of tribes or districts(Judges 11:5; 1 Samuel 30:26; 2 Samuel 19:11): (c) The Elders of Israel, or united body of the Elders of the tribes, forming the senateor executive council of the "congregation" or national assembly, (1) in war (ch. 1 Samuel 4:3), (2) in great political matters, as on the present occasion, (3) in matters of general importance to the nation (Judges 21:16).

The institution of Elders lasted through the monarchy (see e.g. 1 Kings 20:7-8; 1 Kings 21:11), and was revived after the captivity (Ezra 10:14). In N.T. times "the Elders" formed one of the constituent elements of the Sanhedrin.