counsel

Everyday

1. (formal) Counsel is advice. tree →
2. To counsel someone is to give them advice, especially about a problem or feelings. tree →
3. (law) Counsel is a lawyer who speaks for someone in court. tree →

In the lessons

Used about school counsellors, help after sad events, law (counsel for the defence) and the Bible (wise counsel).

Examples

• She gave me wise counsel. tree →
• A teacher counselled him after his dog died. tree →
• Counsel for the defence stood up. tree →
• The Bible praises those who listen to good counsel. tree →
• Families are counselled through hard times. tree →
• Keep your own counsel means keep quiet about it. tree →
• Rosimond took these wise counsels to heart. tree →

Note

Homophone: council (a group that runs a town). UK: counselled, counsellor; US: counseled, counselor. Plural for lawyers stays «counsel».

In Jewish tradition

It means wise advice, or a plan, in the Torah.

Interpretation. Jethro gives Moses advice about sharing the work of judging, which tradition praises as sensible. Balaam's counsel led Israel into sin.

Examples

• For they are a nation void of counsel, and there is no understanding in them. (Torah DEU.32.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people before God, and bring thou the causes unto God. (Torah EXO.18.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to revolt so as to break faith with the LORD in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD. (Torah NUM.31.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is counsel perished from the prudent? (Prophets JER.49.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? (Writings JOB.42.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.' (Writings NEH.6.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Homophone: council (a group that runs a town). UK: counselled, counsellor; US: counseled, counselor. Plural for lawyers stays «counsel».