CHRISTIAN ELDERS ACCORDING TO THE JEWISH SCRIPTURES

The following is a list of the heavenly beings created by Elohim referenced in the Holy Scriptures: Arch-Angels (Jude 9; Luke 1:26); Seraphim (Isaiah 6:2); Cherubim (Genesis 3:24); Four Living Creatures (Revelation 4:6); Angel with a Loud Voice (Revelation 5:2); Seven Spirits (1 Kings 22:21; Revelation 3:2); Angel of the Lord or Metatron (Genesis 22:11); angels (Matthew 22:30); council of holy ones (Psalms 89:7); heavenly hosts/armies (Psalm 89:8); sons of God (Genesis 6:2; Job 1:6; 2:1); twenty-four elders (Revelation 4:4,10); and perhaps Melchizedek (Hebrews 5). 

In the Apocalypse the twenty-four elders sit upon their thrones surrounding the throne of God; they are clothed in white garments, they have golden crowns (Revelation 4:4), each one has a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8). The elders sing and the song they sing is recorded for us in the Scriptures. Following their song, they fall before the Lord on the Throne and worship Him (Revelation 5:9-11). The book of Revelation is better known by the messianic believers as the NT Apocalypse and it is potently Hebraic. To know the Apocalyptic scroll, one must know the OT. Like the entire New Testament, the Apocalypse was also 'born' in the Jewish womb. The Messiah was Jewish, the twelve disciples were Jews, their ministry was in the Jewish land of Israel, the first church was Jewish, the first pastors/elders were Jewish, and for certain the Messianic Kehillah church interpreted itself to be the fulfillment of the OT scriptures. The church blossomed from OT Judaism, and the term, "Elder" is Jewish in origin and thought! So, who is an elder, and who are the elders?

The Akkadian word for elder is sibum, the Latin word is senator, the Greek word is geron, the Arabic word is sheikh, and the Hebrew word is zakhan. In the TeNaK or OT the primary use of “elder” was within a coterie of men, always older men, always a distinct moral grade, and always spiritual leaders of Israel. The OT zakhanim ("elders" plural) were the “wise ones," the consulting body of the city, and proclaimers of the law. The elders being law abiding ones themselves, appointed leaders who would lead by Law (1 Samuel 8:4; Judges 11:5-10). The elders were also the ones who proclaimed war (Joshua 8:10; II Samuel 17:4–15; cf. I Kings 20:7),and the ones who performed sacred ceremonies and rituals (Exodus 12:21; 18:12; Leviticus 9:1; I Samuel 4:3; I Kings 8:1, 3; I Chronicles 16:25). Elders were not priests, but administrators who using the Law selected the priests and observed them (Exodus 19:7; 24:1,9; Deuteronomy 27:1; 29:9; 31:9; Joshua 8:33; 24:1; cf. II Kings 23:1). To be an elder was an honor, a position to which one was selected (Proverb 31:23; Job 29:7ff.).

When the Jewish New Covenant  began, near AD 33 (Acts 2) all believers became [and are] priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9). Under the OT one must be a Levite to be a priest, and to be a Cohen or High Priest he had to be of Aaronic descent. In the NT all believers are kings, while in the OT only Judahite men of the Davidic dynasty were authentic and legitimate Kings. In the NT all believers belong to the assembly or congregation of God, although elders are selected legally by the church, not by a popular vote. 
The NT elder is like the OT elder in some ways. He is chosen to an office (1Timothy 3:1), he does not select himself, and the qualifications are legal points, not just theological ones, and no elder is appointed an elder by God's good NT grace. An elder was not selected to his office because he displayed the fruits of the spirit. Even in the NT he must fit a legal pattern (1Timothy 3:1-7). The term elder is a synonym with bishop and overseer (episkopous), all three fulfilling the same function (1 Timothy 3:1; 4:14; 5:17; Titus 1:5,7).

The Jewish NT elder followed the Jewish OT pattern of governing, except the NT elder governed by a different law, the law of Yeshua or Messiah and not the Mosaic law. When Shaul or Paul gave the qualifications for elder in the NT the qualifications are according to the NT Law just as the OT elders governed by the Mosaic law. Churches seldom realize we are governed by the law of messiah. The NT Church are not antinomians or having "no law" as Shaul contested in Galatia. Believers are free in the sense of having the spirit and power now to obey God. We are not free from authority and commands. Believers are free to obey the Law of Messiah.
Eldership is according to NT law and even if the kindest and most studied believer does not fit the legal requirements for elder, he is disqualified. Note the first primary qualification for elder. In the scriptures below he is to be “above reproach” and “the husband of one wife” (NASV, ESV, KJV, NKJV, CSB, DARBY, GNB, HCSB, LEB, RV, WEB, WMB, YLT). Yeshua had already given the NT law of marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Luke 16:18; Mark 10:11,12; Mat.5:32) and Shaul’s law is in harmony with Yeshua (1 Cor.7:10-11, 39; Rom. 7:1-3). Ish shel Isha Echad, “husband having one wife!” It’s the law!