Bible Dictionaries
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 (Exodus 33:11 ), and to the servant of Elisha (2 Kings 4:43 ). This name is also given to attendants at court (2 Chronicles 22:8 ), and to the priests and Levites (Jeremiah 33:21; Ezekiel 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 Nehemiah 7:57-60 .

  • Greek leitourgos, a subordinate public administrator, and in this sense applied to magistrates (Romans 13:6 ). It is applied also to our Lord (Hebrews 8:2 ), and to Paul in relation to Christ (Romans 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 Corinthians 3:5 ), Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21 ), Epaphras (Colossians 1:7 ), Timothy (1 Thessalonians 3:2 ), and also to Christ (Romans 15:8 ).

    Copyright Statement
    These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
    Bibliography Information
    Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Minister'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​m/minister.html. 1897.
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