Lexical Summary hierateuó: To serve as a priest, to perform priestly duties Original Word: ἱερατεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance perform priestly serviceProlongation from hiereus; to be a priest, i.e. Perform his functions -- execute the priest's office. see GREEK hiereus NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hiereus Definition to be a priest NASB Translation performing...priestly service (1), priestly service (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2407: ἱερατεύωἱερατεύω; (from ἱεράομαι and the verbal adjective ἱερατος, though this adjective does not occur); to be priest, discharge the priest's office, be busied in sacred duties: Luke 1:8. (Josephus, Antiquities 3, 8, 1; Herodian, 5, 6, 6 (3 edition, Bekker); Pausanias, Heliodorus, Inscriptions (see Liddell and Scott); the Sept. for כִּהֵן.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Context The verb describes the exercise of priestly functions within the worship prescribed by God. It encompasses everything from the offering of sacrifices and incense to the performance of rites of purification and blessing. The usage presupposes an ordained office rooted in the covenantal structures laid down in the Law of Moses and subsequently regulated throughout Israel’s history. Occurrence in Scripture Luke 1:8 stands as the sole New Testament instance: “Now while Zacharias was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty”. The tense of the verb portrays an ongoing, orderly ministry, highlighting both the continuity of Temple worship and the personal faithfulness of the priest involved. Historical Setting of Priestly Service 1 Chronicles 24 explains how King David, under divine guidance, organized the descendants of Aaron into twenty-four divisions, each responsible for a week of service twice a year. By the first century, this schedule still governed Temple duty. Luke’s reference to Zacharias being on rotation shows the enduring precision of the system and the seriousness with which the priesthood maintained its God-given pattern. The rites performed during a priest’s week included the daily morning and evening sacrifice (Numbers 28:1-8), the burning of incense on the golden altar (Exodus 30:7-8), and the pronouncement of the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24-26). These actions were not ceremonial formalities; they formed the heart of Israel’s covenant worship, mediating atonement and fellowship with God. Connection to Zechariah and the Forerunner Zacharias’ faithful service sets the stage for Gabriel’s announcement of John the Baptist’s conception (Luke 1:11-17). The narrative interlaces Temple ministry with redemptive history: while a priest is fulfilling his routine duty, God introduces the forerunner who will prepare the way for the Messiah, thereby fulfilling Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. Luke underscores that the turning point of salvation history emerges out of ordinary priestly obedience. Foreshadowing the Ultimate High Priest Hebrews 5–10 argues that the Levitical priesthood, with its continual sacrifices, pointed toward a once-for-all sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ, “a High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26). The lone New Testament use of this verb reminds readers that even the legitimate and God-ordained priestly actions of men like Zacharias were preliminary shadows of the superior, eternal ministry of the Son of God. Whereas human priests served repeatedly, Christ “entered the holy places once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). Ministry Lessons and Application 1. Faithful Service in Routine: Zacharias illustrates how steadfast obedience in seemingly ordinary tasks positions believers to witness extraordinary acts of God. Thus the single occurrence of ἱερατεύω becomes a gateway into the rich biblical theology of priesthood, linking Old Testament worship, New Testament fulfillment, and present-day discipleship in a seamless testimony to the wisdom and faithfulness of God. Forms and Transliterations ιερατευειν ιερατεύειν ἱερατεύειν ιερατεύουσιν ιεράτευσαν ιερατεύσας ιερατεύσει ιεράτευσεν ιερατεύσουσί ιερατεύσωσί hierateuein hierateúein ierateueinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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