Bible Dictionary
OVERSEER
An overseer is one who inspects, supervises, or has responsibility for others. In the New Testament the term is associated with church leaders, also called bishops, who shepherd the people of God.
Definition
An overseer is one who looks over, inspects, supervises, or bears responsibility for others. In the New Testament the term is associated with a bishop or church leader.
Biblical Usage
The New Testament uses “overseer” for the church office described by the Greek word episkopos. In Acts 20:28, the Revised Version uses “bishops,” with “overseers” in the margin; the same association appears in 1 Peter 5:2.
Historical Background
The Old Testament uses different Hebrew terms for those supervising work, property, or people. The New Testament term is related to the office called “bishop.”
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>o-ver-se'-er, or -ser': One who overlooks, inspects; in the Old Testament from natsach (2Ch 2:18; in 2Ch 34:13 the Revised Version (British and American) changes to "set forward"), and paqadh (Ge 39:4,5; 2Ch 34:12,17; the Revised Version (British and American) has this word for the King James Version "officers" in Ge 41:34, and for "rulers" in 1Ch 26:32); in the New Testament once for episkopos, in Ac 20:28, where the Revised Version (British and American) has "bishops" (margin "overseers"; compare 1Pe 5:2).</p><p>See BISHOP.</p>