Age, Old

The aged occupied a prominent place in the social and political system of the Jews. In private life they were looked up to as the depositaries of knowledge, ( Job 15:10 ) the young were ordered to rise up in their presence, ( Leviticus 19:32 ) they allowed them to give their opinion first, ( Job 32:4 ) they were taught to regard gray hair as a "crown of glory," ( Proverbs 16:31 ; 20:29 ) The attainment of old age was regarded as a special blessing. ( Job 5:26 ) In pubic main qualification of those who acted as the representatives of the people in all matter of difficulty and deliberation. [ELDERS]