Berean Strong's Lexicon hierourgeó: To minister in sacred things, to perform sacred rites Original Word: ἱερουργέω Word Origin: From a compound of ἱερός (hieros, meaning "sacred" or "holy") and ἔργον (ergon, meaning "work" or "deed"). Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "hierourgeó," the concept of priestly service is closely related to Hebrew terms such as כָּהַן (kahan, Strong's H3547), meaning "to minister as a priest," and עָבַד (avad, Strong's H5647), meaning "to serve" or "to work." Usage: The verb "hierourgeó" is used to describe the act of performing sacred duties or ministering in holy things. It conveys the idea of serving in a priestly capacity, often associated with the offering of sacrifices or conducting religious ceremonies. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the apostolic ministry as a sacred service to God. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, religious rites and priestly duties were integral to both civic and religious life. The term "hierourgeó" would have been understood in the context of temple worship, where priests performed rituals and sacrifices. In Jewish tradition, the Levitical priesthood was responsible for the sacred duties in the Temple, offering sacrifices and maintaining the holiness of the worship practices. The early Christian understanding of ministry as a sacred service reflects this cultural backdrop, emphasizing the spiritual nature of apostolic work. HELPS Word-studies 2418 hierourgéō (from 2411 /hierón, "Temple" and 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, doing Temple-work, like offering acceptable sacrifices to God. 2418 (hierourgéō) is only used in Ro 15:16, "To be a minister (3011 /leitourgós) of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest (2418 /hierourgéō) the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified in (1722 /en) the Holy Spirit." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a comp. of hieros and ergon Definition to perform sacred rites NASB Translation ministering as a priest (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2418: ἱερουργέωἱερουργέω, ἱερούργω; (from ἱερουργός, and this from ἱερός and ἘΡΓΩ); to be busied with sacred things; to perform sacred rites (Philo, Herodian); used especially of persons sacrificing (Josephus, Antiquities 7, 13, 4, etc.); translated, to minister in the manner of a priest, minister in priestly service: τόν νόμον, of those who defend the sanctity of the law by undergoing a violent death, 4 Macc. 7:8; τό εὐαγγέλιον, of the preaching of the gospel, Romans 15:16 (where Fritzsche treats the word fully; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 222f (209))). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance minister. From a compound of hieron and the base of ergon; to be a temple-worker, i.e. Officiate as a priest (figuratively) -- minister. see GREEK hieron see GREEK ergon Forms and Transliterations ιερουργουντα ιερουργούντα ἱερουργοῦντα hierourgounta hierourgoûnta ierourgountaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |