Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the role of an attendant was significant in various contexts, serving as a helper or assistant to individuals in positions of authority or responsibility. The term "attendant" can refer to different roles depending on the context, including servants, aides, or ministers who supported leaders, priests, or prophets in their duties.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, attendants often served in the courts of kings or in the service of priests. For example, in
1 Kings 10:5, the Queen of Sheba observed the wisdom of Solomon and the organization of his court, including "the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he offered at the house of the LORD." Here, attendants played a crucial role in maintaining the order and function of the royal court.
The role of attendants is also seen in the religious context. In
1 Samuel 2:18, Samuel is described as a young boy ministering before the LORD, wearing a linen ephod, indicating his role as an attendant in the tabernacle under Eli the priest. This highlights the importance of attendants in religious service, assisting in the rituals and duties of worship.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of an attendant is evident in the ministry of Jesus and the early church. In
Luke 4:20, after Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue, "He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down." The attendant in this context was responsible for handling the sacred texts, a role of great importance in the synagogue.
The role of attendants can also be seen in the early church. In
Acts 13:5, during the missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, "When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper." Here, John Mark served as an attendant or helper, assisting in the ministry work.
Symbolic and Spiritual ImplicationsAttendants in the Bible often symbolize service, humility, and dedication. Their roles, though sometimes behind the scenes, were essential for the functioning of both religious and royal duties. The concept of servanthood is a recurring theme in Scripture, with Jesus Himself exemplifying the ultimate servant-leader. In
Mark 10:45, Jesus states, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
The role of an attendant, therefore, is not only practical but also carries a spiritual dimension, reflecting the call to serve others selflessly and faithfully. This principle is echoed throughout the New Testament, encouraging believers to serve one another in love and humility, following the example of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) Being present, or in the train; accompanying; in waiting.
2. (v. t.) Accompanying, connected with, or immediately following, as consequential; consequent; as, intemperance with all its attendant evils.
3. (v. t.) Depending on, or owing duty or service to; as, the widow attendant to the heir.
4. (n.) One who attends or accompanies in any character whatever, as a friend, companion, servant, agent, or suitor.
5. (n.) One who is present and takes part in the proceedings; as, an attendant at a meeting.
6. (n.) That which accompanies; a concomitant.
7. (n.) One who owes duty or service to, or depends on, another.
Greek
2324. therapon -- anattendant... an
attendant. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: therapon Phonetic
Spelling: (ther-ap'-ohn) Short Definition: a servant,
attendant Definition: a
...2138a. euparedros -- constantlyattendant
... 2138, 2138a. euparedros. 2138b . constantlyattendant. Transliteration:
euparedros Short Definition: devotion. Word Origin from...
2138. eupeithes -- constantlyattendant
... constantlyattendant. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eupeithes Phonetic
Spelling: (yoo-pi-thace') Short Definition: compliant Definition: compliant...
5257. huperetes -- an underling, servant
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: huperetes Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-ay-ret'-ace) Short Definition: a servant, anattendant Definition: a servant...
3495. neaniskos -- a young man, a youth
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: neaniskos Phonetic Spelling: (neh-an-is'-kos) Short
Definition: a young man Definition: a young man, youth, anattendant....
1247. diakoneo -- to serve, minister
... From diakonos; to be anattendant, ie Wait upon (menially or as a host, friend,
or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a Christian deacon -- (ad...
1249. diakonos -- a servant, minister
... Probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare dioko); anattendant,
ie (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially...
Strong's Hebrew
3643. Kimham -- anattendant of David, also a place near Bethlehem... Kimham. 3644 . an
attendant of David, also a place near Bethlehem. Transliteration:
Kimham Phonetic Spelling: (kim-hawm') Short Definition: Chimham.
...7464. reah -- companion,attendant
... 7463b, 7464. reah. 7465 . companion,attendant. Transliteration: reah
Phonetic Spelling: (ray'-aw) Short Definition: companions....
8334. sharath -- to minister, serve
... root Definition to minister, serve NASB Word Usage assist (1),attendant (4), attended
(2), became his personal servant (1), minister (26), ministered (4...
Library
Perils to the virgins ThemselvesAttendant Upon Not-Veiling.
... Chapter XIV."Perils to the Virgins ThemselvesAttendant Upon Not-Veiling.
They report a saying uttered at one time by some one...
God's Distribution must Regulate Our Desires, Otherwise we Become...
... Book I. Chapter IX."God's Distribution Must Regulate Our Desires, Otherwise
We Become the Prey of Ambition and ItsAttendant Evils....
Commandment Sixth. How to Recognise the Two SpiritsAttendant on...
... Commandment Sixth. How to Recognise the Two SpiritsAttendant on Each Man, and How
to Distinguish the Suggestions of the One from Those of the Other. Chap. I....
Peter Requests Him to be hisAttendant.
... Book I. Chapter XVII."Peter Requests Him to Be HisAttendant. Having
thus spoken, he set forth to me so openly and so clearly...
System of the Magicians; Incantations of Demons; Secret Magical...
... Then, folding up the paper, and delivering it to theattendant, he sends him away
to commit it to the flames, that the ascending smoke may waft the letters to...
Whether the Seven Capital vices are Suitably Reckoned?
... Secondly, indirectly and on account of something else, as it were: thus one seeks
an evil on account of someattendant good, or avoids a good on account of...
Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
... on sackcloth, and bade the elders of the priests, similarly habited, approach God
through Isaiah"fasting being, of course, the escortingattendant of their...
Chapter twenty-one
... The Auditoriumattendant was shouting out the numbers of different carriages and
the carriage doors were slamming as the horses were driven rapidly up to the...
Philip at Antioch
... He strode through the midst of them with indifference, only informing the
attendant that he had come by the Bishop's appointment....
Interruption of the visions of the Passion by the Appearance of St...
... time to ask her to explain the words she had spoken, for a sudden change took place,
both in her whole appearance and manner, when herattendant pronounced the...
Thesaurus
Attendant (15 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) Accompanying, connected with, or immediately following, as consequential;
consequent; as, intemperance with all its
attendant evils.
...Minister (150 Occurrences)
... (1.) Hebrews meshereth, applied to anattendant on one of superior rank, as to... It
is applied also to John Mark, theattendant on Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:5)....
Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary God his salvation, the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah,
who became theattendant and disciple of Elijah (1 Kings 19:16-19)....
Mercurius (1 Occurrence)
... The Hermes (ie, "the speaker") of the Greeks (Acts 14:12), a heathen God represented
as the constantattendant of Jupiter, and the god of eloquence....
Glory (590 Occurrences)
... Theattendant seraphim in addition to the solemn "Holy, Holy, Holy" declare that
"the whole earth is full of his glory." Unquestionably His glory is here...
Attendance (12 Occurrences)
Attendants (30 Occurrences)
Vest (11 Occurrences)
... daughters that were virgins apparelled. And hisattendant brought her out,
and bolted the door after her. (DBY). 2 Samuel 13:19 And...
Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... of Shushan. The king, Artaxerxes Longimanus, seems to have been on terms
of friendly familiarity with hisattendant. Through his...
Names (133 Occurrences)
... in a name; and this unique custom has been regarded by an unsympathetic criticism
as evidence of the origin of such names and theirattendant narratives long...
Resources
Who was Bar-Jesus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the qualifications of elders and deacons? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the responsibilities of deacons in the church? | GotQuestions.orgAttendant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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