Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
Then rose up certain of the elders - members of the great council. (Compare Gamaliel's interposition in behalf of Peter and John, Acts 5:34, etc.) Elders - some of the "princes" mentioned (Jeremiah 26:16), those whose age as well as dignity would give weight to the precedents of past times, which they adduce.