זָקֵן

“Elder” in Hebrew is Zaken (זָקֵן), pronounced “za-KEN.” Zaken likely comes from the root ז-ק-ן (zayin-qof-nun), which also means 'beard' (zakan). In the ancient Near East, a full beard was the visible sign of maturity and authority. An elder was literally 'a bearded one.'

Zaken (זָקֵן) means “Elder, old, aged one” in Biblical Hebrew. Zaken and its plural zekenim appear over 170 times in the Hebrew Bible. Elders served at city gates (Ruth 4:2), received God's Spirit with Moses (Numbers 11:25), governed Israel alongside kings, and are seen in heavenly worship (Revelation 4:4).

Zaken is pronounced “za-KEN.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ז-ק-ן.

The zekenim served as the primary governing body at every level. They sat at the city gate — the ancient courtroom and town hall — to settle disputes, witness transactions, and make communal decisions (Ruth 4:1-12). Seventy elders assisted Moses (Numbers 11:16). They represented the people before God and God before the people.

The New Testament word 'presbyter' (elder) directly mirrors the Hebrew zaken. Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in every city (Titus 1:5), following Israel's pattern. The qualifications Paul lists echo the character traits valued in Israel's zekenim. Church eldership is Judaism's continuation.

The 24 zekenim around God's throne in Revelation 4:4 are debated. Some see representatives of the 12 tribes plus 12 apostles — the fullness of God's people. Others see angelic beings. Their crowns and white robes suggest redeemed humans. They represent mature, glorified worship before the throne.