Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, November 19th, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
Bible Encyclopedias
Service
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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sûr´vis : Six Hebrew, two Aramaic and four Greek words are so rendered.
1. In the Old Testament:
In the Old Testament the word most used for "service" is (1) ‛ăbhōdhāh , from ‛ābhadh , which is the general word, meaning "to work" and so "to serve," "to till," also "to enslave." The noun means "bondage," "labor," "ministering," "service," "tillage," "work," "use." The word is used in describing work in the fields ( Exodus 1:14 , et al.), work in the tabernacle (Exodus 27:19 , et al.), sanctuary service (Numbers 7:9 ), service of Yahweh (Numbers 8:11 ), Levitical or priestly service (Numbers 8:22 ), kingly service (1 Chronicles 26:30 ), etc. Reference is made to instruments, wood vessels, cattle, herbs, shekels for the service in the house of Yahweh. (2) ‛Ābhadh itself is translated "service" in Numbers 8:15; Numbers 18:23; Jeremiah 22:13 . (3) Serādh means "stitching," i.e. piercing with a needle; it occurs only 4 times, and in each case in the Revised Version (British and American) instead of "service" is translated "finely wrought garments" (Exodus 31:10; Exodus 35:19; Exodus 39:1 , Exodus 39:41 ). (4) Shārath means primarily "to attend" as a servant or worshipper, and to contribute to or render service, wait on, and thence service; occurs only 3 times (Exodus 35:19; Exodus 39:1 , Exodus 39:41 the King James Version) and in the American Standard Revised Version is rendered "for ministering." (5) Cābhā' is found 7 times, used in the same connection each time, and refers to those numbered for service in the tent of meeting. Its primary root meaning refers to service for war, campaign, hardship (Numbers 4:30 , Numbers 4:35 , Numbers 4:39 , Numbers 4:43; Numbers 8:24 ). (6) Yādh means literally, an "open hand, indicating direction, power, and so ministry as in 1 Chronicles 6:31 , where David appoints certain ones to have direction of the music, translated in 1 Chronicles 29:5 , the Revised Version (British and American) not service, but "himself." (7)‛Ǎbhı̄dhāh means "business," "labor," "affairs"; Ezra 6:18 is the only place where it is found. (8) Polḥān , from root meaning "to worship," "minister to," and so in Ezra 7:19 vessels given for service.
2. In the New Testament:
The following are the uses in the New Testament: (1) Diakonı́a , from root meaning "to run on errands," and so attendance, aid as a servant, ministry, relief, and hence, service; compare English word "deacon"; Paul: "that I might minister unto you" ( 2 Corinthians 11:8 ); also found in Romans 15:31 ("ministration") and Revelation 2:19 ("ministry"). (2) Douleúō , literally, "to be a slave," in bondage, service (Galatians 4:8 , "bondage"; Ephesians 6:7 , "service"; 1 Timothy 6:2 , "serve"). (3) Latreı́a , from root meaning "to render religious homage," menial service to God, and so worship (John 16:2 , "service"; Romans 9:4 , "service"; Romans 12:1 , "spiritual service"; Hebrews 9:1 , "service"; Hebrews 9:6 , "services"). (4) Leitourgı́a , from root "to perform religious or charitable functions," worship, relieve, obey, minister, and hence, a public function, priestly or charitable (liturgy) (2 Corinthians 9:12 , "service"; also in Philippians 2:17 , Philippians 2:30 ). See SERVANT .
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Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Service'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/s/service.html. 1915.
