Counsel; Counsellor
The Biblical Concept of Counsel
Counsel in the Bible refers to advice, guidance, or a plan of action, especially one arrived at through deliberation and wisdom. The Hebrew word most commonly translated "counsel" is etsah, while the Greek sumboulion appears in the New Testament. Throughout Scripture, the quality of counsel one receives and follows is presented as a matter of life and death, success and failure, blessing and curse.
God as the Supreme Counselor
The Bible consistently presents God as the source of perfect counsel. Isaiah 28:29 declares that God is "wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom." Psalm 33:11 affirms that "the counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations." When Paul contemplates God's wisdom, he echoes Isaiah 40:13 by asking, "Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" (Romans 11:34). The answer is clear: no one advises God, because his wisdom is infinite and his plans are perfect.
The Messiah as Wonderful Counselor
One of the most beloved messianic titles comes from Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This title identifies the coming Messiah as the supreme source of divine wisdom and guidance. In Jesus Christ, believers find not merely good advice but the very wisdom of God made accessible to humanity.
The Value of Human Counselors
While God is the ultimate source of wisdom, Scripture also affirms the value of human counselors. Proverbs 11:14 teaches, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Similarly, Proverbs 24:6 states, "By wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." These proverbs recognize that wise leaders surround themselves with knowledgeable advisers and make better decisions through consultation.
Examples of Good and Bad Counsel
The Bible provides vivid examples of both wise and foolish counsel. When Rehoboam became king, he rejected the wise counsel of the elders who had served Solomon and instead followed the harsh advice of his young companions, leading to the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:6-16). Ahithophel was renowned for his counsel, which was "as if one consulted the word of God" (2 Samuel 16:23), but when Absalom rejected his advice in favor of Hushai's, Ahithophel's wisdom was turned to folly by God's sovereign intervention (2 Samuel 17:14).
Taking Counsel Together
The New Testament uses the Greek sumboulion to describe the act of taking counsel together, often in the context of deliberation toward a practical end (Matthew 12:14; Mark 3:6). This could be positive or negative: religious leaders "took counsel" against Jesus to destroy him, demonstrating that the act of deliberation itself is morally neutral, gaining its character from the purpose and heart behind it.
Biblical Context
Counsel and counselors appear throughout Scripture. Key passages include God's perfect counsel (Psalm 33:11; Isaiah 28:29), the messianic title 'Wonderful Counselor' (Isaiah 9:6), the value of human advisers (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6), and narrative examples like Rehoboam's disastrous choice (1 Kings 12:6-16) and Ahithophel's rejected wisdom (2 Samuel 16:23; 17:14). In the New Testament, counsel-taking appears in Matthew 12:14 and Romans 11:34.
Theological Significance
The concept of counsel reveals that wisdom is relational and communal, not merely individual. God's perfect counsel stands as the standard against which all human advice is measured. The messianic title 'Wonderful Counselor' teaches that Christ embodies divine wisdom for his people. The biblical emphasis on seeking counsel from multiple wise advisers reflects the humble recognition that no single human perspective is sufficient. Ultimately, Scripture teaches that the wisest counsel aligns with God's revealed will.
Historical Background
In ancient Israel and the broader Near East, counselors held positions of great influence in royal courts. Kings maintained formal councils of advisers who helped shape military strategy, diplomatic policy, and domestic governance. The Hebrew concept of counsel was not merely intellectual but practical, aimed at determining the best course of action. In the Greco-Roman world, the sumboulion (council) was a formal advisory body. The distinction between counsel (advice) and council (formal body) reflects different aspects of the same practice of seeking wisdom through deliberation.