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minister

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(assistant). Attendant (Ex. 24:13¹³And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. (Exodus 24:13); Josh. 1:1¹Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, (Joshua 1:1); 1 Kings 19:21²¹And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. (1 Kings 19:21); Ezra 8:17¹⁷And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God. (Ezra 8:17)). Magistrate (Rom. 13:6⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (Romans 13:6)). Preacher and teacher (1 Cor. 4:1¹Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1); 2 Cor. 3:6⁶Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)). Celestial high priest (Heb. 8:1-3¹Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; ²A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. ³For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. (Hebrews 8:1‑3)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

The word commonly occurring in the Old Testament is sharath, “to minister, serve.” Joshua was Moses’ minister. All God’s hosts are called “ministers of his, that do his pleasure,” and He maketh “his ministers a flaming fire.” The priests were the ministers of Jehovah (Josh. 1:1¹Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, (Joshua 1:1); Psa. 103:21²¹Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. (Psalm 103:21); Psa. 104:4⁴Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: (Psalm 104:4); Joel 2:17¹⁷Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? (Joel 2:17)). In the New Testament three words are used.

1. διάκονος. See DEACON.

2. λειτουργός, “a public servant,” one holding an official position. It is applied to the Lord; to angels; to Paul; and to magistrates (Rom. 13:6⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (Romans 13:6); Rom. 15:16¹⁶That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:16); Heb. 1:7⁷And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. (Hebrews 1:7); Heb. 8:2²A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:2)).

3. ὑπηρέτης, literally “under-rower,” and so an “attendant” on, or “assistant” to a superior authority (Luke 1:2²Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; (Luke 1:2); Luke 4:20²⁰And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. (Luke 4:20); Acts 13:5⁵And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Acts 13:5); Acts 26:16¹⁶But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; (Acts 26:16); 1 Cor. 4:1¹Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)). It is also translated “officer” and “servant.”

Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:

Number:

3008 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Greek:

λειτουργέω

Transliteration:

leitourgeo

Phonic:

li-toorg-eh’-o

Meaning:

from 3011; to be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve)

KJV Usage:

minister