counselor

An adviser to kings. David’s court had two counselors, Ahithophel and Hushai. Ahithophel’s advice was likened to an oracle from heaven, but even that could not stand when the deity interfered. Disgraced, Ahithophel committed suicide. Late OT texts mention seven counselors of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:14) and counselors to the king (Dan 3:24; Dan 3:27). Royal ritual gave birth to messianic hope concerning a wondrous counselor (Isa 9:6).