βουλευτής
bouleutḗs
G1010 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A member of a deliberative council or assembly; specifically, one who holds official membership in a council convened for governance or authoritative decision-making. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, denotes a councillor or senator; in the context of Judea, used particularly for members of the local governing council (such as the Sanhedrin).
Semantic Range
councillor, member of a governing council, senator, official adviser, member of the Sanhedrin, civic leader
Root / Etymology
From βουλεύω ('to deliberate') or βουλή ('council, deliberation, plan'), combined with the agentive suffix -τής, forming a noun designating someone who is part of such deliberation or council.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Βουλευτής is attested from classical Greek, where it referred to a member of the βουλή, the civic council (e.g., in Athens or other poleis); it indicated a civic leader or senator. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term continued to denote membership in municipal or regional councils across the Greek-speaking world. In Judean contexts of the Second Temple and New Testament periods, βουλευτής is used for members of the Sanhedrin, the Jerusalem council with legislative, judicial, and leadership responsibilities. English translations often render βουλευτής as 'councillor' or 'member of the council.' The term differs from πρεσβύτερος ('elder'), which can refer more generally to age or status rather than formal council membership. The word does not carry inherently religious connotations apart from its use in specifically religious governing bodies. NB: The English word 'counsellor' in older translations refers to official council membership, not merely a giver of advice. Later translation traditions sometimes equate βουλευτής directly with 'Jewish Sanhedrin' membership; context must determine whether local or broader governing councils are intended.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from βουλεύω; an adviser, i.e. (specially) a councillor or member of the Jewish Sanhedrin:--counsellor.
Root Family
βουλευτής (bouleutēs) — to counsel, to deliberate, to plan; council member
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1010-01 |
βουλευτής | bouleutes | N NOM M SG |
a counseller | council member | council member | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1010-01 |
Mark 15:43 | βουλευτής | bouleutes | N NOM M SG |
counselor | council member | council member |
G1010-01 |
Luke 23:50 | βουλευτὴς | bouleutes | N NOM M SG |
a counseller | council member | council member |