2405. hierateia

Lexicon

hierateia: Priesthood

Original Word: ἱερατεία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hierateia
Pronunciation: hee-er-at-i'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-at-i'-ah)
Definition: Priesthood
Meaning: the duty (office) of a priest, priesthood.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

office of the priesthood, priest's office.

From hierateuo; priestliness, i.e. The sacerdotal function -- office of the priesthood, priest's office.

see GREEK hierateuo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from hierateuó
Definition
priesthood
NASB Translation
priest's office (1), priestly office (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2405: ἱερατεία

ἱερατεία (WH ἱερατια; cf. Iota), ἱερατείας, ἡ (ἱερατεύω), the priesthood, the office of priest: Luke 1:9; Hebrews 7:5. (the Sept. for כְּהֻנָּה; Aristotle, pol. 7, 8; Dionysius Halicarnassus; Boeckh, Inscriptions ii., pp. 127, 23; 363, 27.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἱερεύς (hiereus), meaning "priest."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H3548 כֹּהֵן (kohen): Refers to a priest, one who officiates in religious rites.
• H3550 כְּהֻנָּה (kehunnah): Refers to the priesthood or the office of a priest.

These Hebrew terms provide the Old Testament background for understanding the concept of ἱερατεία, illustrating the continuity and fulfillment of the priestly role from the Old to the New Testament.

Usage: The word ἱερατεία is used in the New Testament to describe the priestly office or the collective body of priests. It emphasizes the role and service of priests in religious contexts.

Context: The term ἱερατεία appears in the New Testament in the context of discussing the priestly office and its significance within the religious framework of the time. In Luke 1:9, the word is used to describe the priestly service of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, as he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. This highlights the structured and sacred nature of the priestly duties in the Jewish tradition.

The concept of ἱερατεία is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the priesthood was established as a divine institution through the lineage of Aaron, the brother of Moses. The priests were responsible for performing sacrifices, maintaining the temple, and acting as mediators between God and the people. This role was central to the religious life of Israel, symbolizing holiness, dedication, and service to God.

In the New Testament, the priesthood is reinterpreted through the lens of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The Epistle to the Hebrews, although not using the term ἱερατεία directly, elaborates on the concept of Jesus as the high priest, who surpasses the traditional priesthood by offering Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. This theological development underscores the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant, where all believers are considered a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), called to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

ιερατεία ιερατείαν ἱερατείαν ιερατείας ἱερατείας ιερατειών ιερατιαν ἱερατίαν ιερατιας ἱερατίας hierateian hierateían hierateias hierateías ierateian ierateias

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 1:9 N-GFS
GRK: ἔθος τῆς ἱερατείας ἔλαχε τοῦ
NAS: to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot
KJV: to the custom of the priest's office, his lot
INT: custom of the priesthood it fell to him by lot

Hebrews 7:5 N-AFS
GRK: Λευὶ τὴν ἱερατείαν λαμβάνοντες ἐντολὴν
NAS: who receive the priest's office have
KJV: receive the office of the priesthood, have
INT: of Levi the priesthood [who] receive commandment

Strong's Greek 2405
2 Occurrences

ἱερατείαν — 1 Occ.
ἱερατείας — 1 Occ.