2406. hierateuma

Lexicon

hierateuma: Priesthood

Original Word: ἱεράτευμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: hierateuma
Pronunciation: hee-er-at'-yoo-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-at'-yoo-mah)
Definition: Priesthood
Meaning: the act or office of priesthood.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

priesthood.

From hierateuo; the priestly fraternity, i.e. Sacerdotal order (figuratively) -- priesthood.

see GREEK hierateuo

HELPS Word-studies

2406 hieráteuma (from 2409 /hiereús, "priest") – priesthood.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from hierateuó
Definition
a priesthood
NASB Translation
priesthood (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2406: ἱεράτευμα

ἱεράτευμα, ἱερατευματος, τό (ἱερατεύω), (priesthood i. e.)

a. the office of priest.

b. the order or body of priests (see ἀδελφότης, αἰχμαλωσία, διασπορά, θεραπεία); so Christians are called, because they have access to God and offer not external but 'spiritual' (πνευματικά) sacrifices: 1 Peter 2:5; also βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα, 1 Peter 2:9 (after Exodus 19:6, the Sept.), priests of kingly rank, i. e. exalted to a moral rank and freedom which exempts them from the control of everyone but God and Christ. (Exodus 23:22, etc.; 2 Macc. 2:17); not found in secular authors.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἱερατεύω (hierateuō), meaning "to serve as a priest," which in turn comes from ἱερεύς (hiereus), meaning "priest."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of priesthood in the Old Testament is primarily associated with the Hebrew word כֹּהֲנָה (kohanim), which refers to the office or function of a priest. The role of the priesthood in the Old Testament is detailed in various passages, including Exodus 19:6, where Israel is called to be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation," a theme echoed in the New Testament understanding of the spiritual priesthood of all believers.

Usage: The term ἱεράτευμα is used in the New Testament to refer to a collective group of priests or a priestly order. It emphasizes the role and function of believers as a spiritual priesthood.

Context: The term ἱεράτευμα appears in the New Testament in the context of describing the collective identity and function of believers as a spiritual priesthood. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament understanding of the priesthood, where priests served as mediators between God and the people, offering sacrifices and performing sacred duties.

In the New Testament, ἱεράτευμα is notably used in 1 Peter 2:5 and 1 Peter 2:9. In 1 Peter 2:5, believers are described as "living stones" being built into a "spiritual house" to be a "holy priesthood," offering "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." This passage highlights the transformation of the traditional priestly role into a spiritual service that all believers participate in through their faith in Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 further expands on this idea by declaring believers to be a "chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession." This verse underscores the identity and purpose of the Christian community as set apart for God's service, tasked with proclaiming His excellencies.

The concept of ἱεράτευμα in the New Testament reflects the democratization of the priestly role, where all believers, regardless of their ethnic or social background, are called to serve as priests in the spiritual sense. This priesthood is characterized by offering spiritual sacrifices, such as praise, prayer, and acts of service, rather than the physical sacrifices of the Old Testament.

Forms and Transliterations

ιερατευμα ιεράτευμα ἱεράτευμα hierateuma hieráteuma ierateuma

Englishman's Concordance

1 Peter 2:5 N-ANS
GRK: πνευματικὸς εἰς ἱεράτευμα ἅγιον ἀνενέγκαι
NAS: for a holy priesthood, to offer
KJV: an holy priesthood, to offer up
INT: spiritual into a priesthood holy to offer

1 Peter 2:9 N-NNS
GRK: ἐκλεκτόν βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα ἔθνος ἅγιον
NAS: A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY
KJV: a royal priesthood, an holy
INT: chosen a royal priesthood a nation holy

Strong's Greek 2406
2 Occurrences

ἱεράτευμα — 2 Occ.