Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, attendants are individuals who serve or assist others, often in roles of support or service. The concept of attendants is woven throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their roles in both religious and royal settings. Attendants are often depicted as faithful and diligent, serving leaders, priests, or kings, and sometimes even God Himself.
Old Testament References1.
Royal Attendants: In the Old Testament, attendants often served in royal courts. For example, in the account of Esther, we see attendants playing significant roles.
Esther 1:10-11 mentions, "On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas—to bring Queen Vashti before him wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials, for she was lovely to look at." These eunuchs were attendants who served the king directly.
2.
Religious Attendants: In the service of the tabernacle and temple, attendants played crucial roles. The Levites, for instance, were attendants to the priests, assisting in various duties related to worship and sacrifices.
Numbers 3:6-9 states, "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the Tent of Meeting by attending to the service of the tabernacle."
3.
Prophetic Attendants: Prophets also had attendants. Elisha, the prophet, had Gehazi as his servant or attendant. In
2 Kings 4:12 , it is written, "Then Elisha said to his servant Gehazi, 'Call the Shunammite woman.' And when he had called her, she stood before him."
New Testament References1.
Jesus' Ministry: In the New Testament, attendants are seen in various contexts, including the ministry of Jesus. In
John 2:5 , during the wedding at Cana, Jesus' mother instructs the servants, "His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever He tells you.'" These servants were attendants who played a role in the miracle of turning water into wine.
2.
Early Church: The early church also had attendants, often referred to as deacons, who served the needs of the community.
Acts 6:2-4 describes the appointment of the first deacons: "So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, 'It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'"
3.
Angelic Attendants: Angels are sometimes depicted as attendants to God, serving His purposes and ministering to His people.
Hebrews 1:14 refers to angels as "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation."
Roles and CharacteristicsAttendants in the Bible are characterized by their loyalty, humility, and willingness to serve. They often work behind the scenes, ensuring that the needs of those they serve are met. Their roles can vary widely, from performing menial tasks to carrying out significant responsibilities in religious and royal settings.
The biblical portrayal of attendants underscores the value of service and the importance of supporting roles in the fulfillment of God's purposes. Whether in the courts of kings, the sacred spaces of worship, or the early Christian community, attendants are integral to the narrative of Scripture, exemplifying faithfulness and dedication.
Greek
4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly... 2), continued (1), continuing (1), devote ourselves (1), devote yourselves (1),
devoted (1), devoting themselves (1), personal
attendants (1), stand ready (1).
...5207. huios -- a son
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a son NASB Word Usageattendants (3), foal
(1), man (1), son (1), son (307), sons (68). son, child, foal....
Strong's Hebrew
5971. am -- people... From amam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of
Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock
...5650. ebed -- slave, servant
... Word Origin from abad Definition slave, servant NASB Word Usageattendants (1),
bondage (2), male (24), male servant (7), male servants (5), male slaves (1...
5288. naar -- a boy, lad, youth, retainer
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a boy, lad, youth, retainer NASB
Word Usageattendants (1), boy (19), boy's (1), boys (1), child (12), children...
Library
Peter'sAttendants.
... Homily II. Chapter I."Peter'sAttendants. Therefore the next day, I Clement,
awaking from sleep before dawn, and learning that...
Saint Isaac, the Monk, Predicts the Death of Valens. Valens in his...
... His cavalry was dispersed, his infantry compelled to retreat; and, pursued by the
enemy, he dismounted from his horse, and with a fewattendants entered into a...
Meditation vi. The Last Pasch.
... The vessels and necessary instruments were prepared, and then theattendants brought
a beautiful little lamb, decorated with a crown, which was sent to the...
The Reconnoitering of Greece.
... concert with him the plans for their proposed campaigns, Democedes accompanied him
as usual; and when Polycrates was slain, and hisattendants and followers...
Grace Triumphant
... excess. So Saul got the letters he asked, and someattendants, apparently,
to help him in his hunt, and set off for Damascus. Painters...
Jesus, Pilate and Herod.
... Then came Pilate out with hisattendants upon the balcony of the house; two spearmen
on either side advanced to the foot of the steps of the balcony, and stood...
God a Refuge for Us
... Thirty beds were ordinarily allotted to free patients and theirattendants; and
about as many to opium-smokers, who paid for their board while being cured of...
Epistle i. --To Domitius and Didymus.
... and Faustus, and Peter, and Paul"were led off as prisoners by the centurion and
the magistrates, [780] and the soldiers and otherattendants accompanying them...
Caesar's Household
... impress of Satan. Hisattendants and courtiers were in general of the same
character as himself"fierce, debased, and corrupt. To all...
Of the Hundred and Forty-four Thousand Sealed, who were virgins...
... 3. These, lastly, are those that are called the chosen and faithfulattendants on
the Lamb, accompanied by whom, he wages war with the kings, or horns, of the...
Thesaurus
Attendants (30 Occurrences)...Attendants (30 Occurrences).
... Luke 1:2 as those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses
of and
attendants on the Word have delivered them to us, (DBY).
...Cherubim (63 Occurrences)
... 3. The Cherubim asAttendants of the Deity: The mythical elements of the Paradise
story are still more patent in Ezekiel 28:13, where the fall of the king of...
Retinue (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The body ofattendants who follow a distinguished
person; an entourage; a train ofattendants; a suite....
Deportment (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5 and the food of his table, and the deportment of his servants, and
the order of service of hisattendants, and their apparel, and his cupbearers...
Seraphim (2 Occurrences)
... The equivalent English term is "griffin." It is probable enough that popular mythology
connected fire with theattendants of the deity in various ways among...
Attendant (15 Occurrences)
Attended (39 Occurrences)
Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... He at first haughtily resented the humiliation and declined the cure; but on the
remonstrance of hisattendants he yielded and obtained cleansing....
Jars (28 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). John 2:7 Jesus said to theattendants, "Fill the jars with water."
And they filled them to the brim. (WEY RSV NIV). 2 Corinthians...
Jehdeiah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Rejoicer in Jehovah. (1.) One of the Leviticalattendants
at the temple, a descendant of Shubael (1 Chronicles 24:20)....
Resources
Why did David need Abishag to keep him warm when he had wives and concubines? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did it mean to tear one's clothes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAttendants: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
