Counsel, Counselor

Counsel is advice. A counselor is someone who gives advice, especially on legal matters. Lawyers are often called counselors. In Bible times, a counselor in a king’s court was like a political cabinet member today. A counselor might sometimes have been in line to succeed the king.

Ahithophel was a counselor to David and Absalom. He gave advice that was so trustworthy it was as if it came directly from God (2 Samuel 16:23). The elders of Israel counseled King Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:6). So did Rehoboam's childhood friends (verses 7–8), although his friends gave poor advice. The Bible mentions official counselors in Egypt (Isaiah 19:11) and Babylon (Daniel 3:2–3).

A wise person seeks counsel when making plans: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22). Counselors may be:

one’s parents (1:8)

older people (Ezekiel 7:26)

prophets (2 Chronicles 25:16)

wise men (Jeremiah 18:18)

friends (Proverbs 27:9)

Some counselors are evil and give advice meant to deceive people (Proverbs 12:5).

According to the Bible, God also counsels. He frustrates the counsel of the nations who oppose him (Psalms 33:10). But, God's own counsel endures for many generations (verse 11). No one may counsel the Lord (Isaiah 40:13). His chosen leader, the Messiah, is called “Wonderful Counselor” (9:6).

According to the New Testament, the Holy Spirit counsels or comforts believers (John 14:16–17). Christ sends the Holy Spirit to his people (16:7). The Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of truth, bears witness to Christ (15:26). Jesus Christ, after he rose to heaven, is seen as a counselor in God’s heavenly court (described as an "advocate" in 1 John 2:1).

See also Spirit of God.