Minister

Easton's Bible Dictionary

One who serves, as distinguished from the master.

Heb. meshereth, applied to an attendant on one of superior rank, as to Joshua, the servant of Moses (Exod 33:11), and to the servant of Elisha (2 Kgs 4:43). This name is also given to attendants at court (2 Chr 22:8), and to the priests and Levites (Jer 33:21; Ezek 44:11).

Heb. pelah (Ezra 7:24), a “minister” of religion. Here used of that class of sanctuary servants called “Solomon’s servants” in Ezra 2:55-58 and Neh 7:57-60.

Greek leitourgos, a subordinate public administrator, and in this sense applied to magistrates (Rom 13:6). It is applied also to our Lord (Heb 8:2), and to Paul in relation to Christ (Rom 15:16).

Greek hyperetes (literally, “under-rower”), a personal attendant on a superior, thus of the person who waited on the officiating priest in the synagogue (Luke 4:20). It is applied also to John Mark, the attendant on Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:5).

Greek diaconos, usually a subordinate officer or assistant employed in relation to the ministry of the gospel, as to Paul and Apollos (1 Cor 3:5), Tychicus (Eph 6:21), Epaphras (Col 1:7), Timothy (1 Thess 3:2), and also to Christ (Rom 15:8).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Servant

sur'-vant ('ebhedh; doulos): A very common word with a variety of meanings, all implying a greater or less degree of inferiority and want of freedom:

(1) The most frequent usage is as the equivalent of "slave" (which see), with its various shades in position (Gen 9:25; Gen 24:9; Exod 21:5; Matt 10:24; Luke 17:7, and often); but also a hired workman where "hired servant" translates Hebrew and Greek expressions which differ from the above.

(2) An attendant in the service of someone, as Joshua was the "servant" the Revised Version (British and American) "minister" of Moses (Num 11:28).

(3) As a 'term of respectful self-depreciation referring to one's self, "thy servant." or "your servant" is used in place of the personal pronoun of the first person:

(a) in the presence of superiors (Gen 19:2; Gen 32:18, and often);

(b) in addressing the Supreme Being (1 Sam 3:9; Ps 19:11; Ps 27:9; Luke 2:29, and often).

(4) Officials of every grade are called the "servants" of kings, princes, etc. (1 Sam 29:3; 2 Sam 16:1; 1 Kgs 11:26; Prov 14:35, and often).

(5) The position of a king in relation to his people (1 Kgs 12:7).

(6) One who is distinguished as obedient and faithful to God or Christ (Josh 1:2; 2 Kgs 8:19; Dan 6:20; Col 4:12; 2 Tim 2:24). (7) One who is enslaved by sin (John 8:34).

William Joseph Mcglothlin

Kilde: Easton's Bible Dictionary (M.G. Easton, 1897) og International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (red. James Orr, 1915/1939), public domain. Translated into Danish with AI and not yet proofread (fully or partially). Links to people and places: Theographic Bible Metadata (CC BY-SA 4.0).