Meaning
A leader is a person who guides, directs, or has responsibility over other people.
Biblical Usage
In Scripture, a leader is a person who guides, directs, commands, or has responsibility over a group of people. Leadership may involve military command, tribal responsibility, civil authority, religious service, or guidance of God’s people.
Leaders appear throughout Israel’s history among elders, judges, captains, kings, rulers, and other appointed officials. Because several original-language words can be translated by English terms related to leadership, the meaning is determined by context.
Key References
- Exodus 18:25-26
- Numbers 13:2-3
- Deuteronomy 1:15
- Judges 5:2
- 1 Samuel 10:1
- 2 Samuel 5:2
- 1 Kings 12:1-20
- Proverbs 11:14
- Isaiah 3:4-7
- Joshua 1:10-18
- Acts 15:22
- Hebrews 13:7
Related Terms
- Ruler
- Elder
- Captain
- Governor
- Shepherd
- Servant
- Authority
- Government
- King