Ancients
ancients
Mentioned in the Apocalypse (4,4; 5, 5,8; 7, 13; 19,4; 21,12-14) as part of the Court of the Lamb of God whom they adore and to whom they offer the prayers of the saints. They are clothed in white garments, have gold crowns, and number 24. The number is perhaps symbolical, representing the twelve Apostles and the twelve tribes of Israel or according to Bishop Blane, the twelve patriarchs of the Old Law.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Ancients
an-shents: This word (except in one instance) renders the Hebrew word , zekenm, (pl of , zaken), which should always be translated old men or elders. The Hebrew word never has the connotation which ancients has in modern English. The words I understand more than the ancients (Psa 119:100 the King James Version) do not mean that the Psalmist claims greater wisdom than his distant forbears but than his contemporaries with all their age and experience. In the parallel clause teachers is the corresponding word. In such phrases as ancients of the people (Jer 19:1 the King James Version), ancients of the house of Israel (Eze 8:12), elders would obviously be the correct rendering, as in the Revised Version (British and American). Even in Isa 24:23 (before his ancients gloriously the English Revised Version) elders is the right translation (American Revised Version). The writer probably alludes to the Sinaitic; theophany witnessed by the seventy … elders (Exo 24:9-18) Generally speaking the word suggests the experience, insight and practical acquaintance with life which age ought to bring with it (Psa 119:100; Eze 7:26). In one instance (1Sa 24:13) ancients is the right rendering for the Hebrew word , kadhmonm, which means men of former times.