Topical Encyclopedia
A "servitor" in biblical terms generally refers to a servant or attendant, often in a religious or royal context. The role of a servitor is one of service, obedience, and support, typically to a person of higher status or authority. This term is not frequently used in modern translations of the Bible, but the concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, where servitors play crucial roles in the unfolding of biblical narratives.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, servitors are often seen in the context of temple service or royal courts. For example, the Levites served as attendants in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, assisting the priests in their duties. Their role was to ensure that the worship and sacrifices were conducted according to God's commandments.
Numbers 3:6-9 describes the Levites' duties: "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 doing the work of the tabernacle."
In royal settings, servitors could be found attending to kings and other officials. The account of Nehemiah, who served as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, illustrates the trusted position a servitor could hold.
Nehemiah 1:11 states, "O Lord, I pray, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the cupbearer to the king."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of servitude is elevated through the teachings of Jesus Christ, who emphasized servanthood as a model for Christian living. Jesus Himself is described as a servant, setting an example for His followers. 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 early church also embraced the role of servitors in the form of deacons, who were appointed to serve the needs of the community, particularly in distributing food and aid to widows and the needy.
Acts 6:2-4 describes this appointment: "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 the ministry of the word.'"
Spiritual SignificanceThe role of a servitor in the Bible carries significant spiritual implications. It reflects the biblical principle of humility and selflessness, as servitors are called to put the needs of others above their own. This is in line with
Philippians 2:3-4 , which exhorts believers: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Furthermore, the servitor's role is a reminder of the Christian calling to serve God and others, as seen in
Romans 12:11 : "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." This service is not merely a duty but a form of worship and a reflection of Christ's love and sacrifice.
In summary, the concept of a servitor in the Bible encompasses a range of roles and responsibilities, all centered around the themes of service, humility, and devotion to God and others. Whether in the context of temple service, royal courts, or the early church, servitors exemplify the biblical call to serve faithfully and selflessly.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Occurs only in
2 Kings 4:43, Authorized Version (R.V., "servant"). The Hebrew word there rendered "servitor" is elsewhere rendered "minister," "servant" (
Exodus 24:13;
33:11). Probably Gehazi, the personal attendant on Elisha, is here meant.
Greek
4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly... be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises,
or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a
servitor) -- attend (give self
...4889. sundoulos -- a fellow servant
... fellow servant. From sun and doulos; a co-slave, ieServitor or ministrant of the
same master (human or divine) -- fellowservant. see GREEK sun....
Library
Athor, the Golden
... A bent and witheredservitor was standing in the bow of the boat, wildly gesticulating,
as if he feared Kenkenes would insist on pulling away despite his...
In the Desert
... Rachel shrank against Kenkenes and Deborah dropped on her knees between the pair
and theservitor. "Out of the way, hag!" the man puffed. "Let me at yon slave....
At Masaarah
... Hither, Unas!". The fatservitor came forward.... Get thee back to Memphis with this,"
he drew off a signet ring and gave it to theservitor, "and to the palace....
The Way to the Sea
... once or twice and lay still. The soldier staggered back from the second
servitor and fell. The Nubian, standing over him, swung...
A Prophet of Peace
... When the offering came, he said to his servant, "Give unto the people, that they
may eat. And hisservitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men?...
The Treasure Cave
... After a time the fatservitor, rousing out of his swoon, came forth from here, and
another, who had been lurking in the rocks, joined him, and the pair, in...
The Fourth Homily. On the Holy Theophany, or on Christ's Baptism.
... Why dost Thou desire to receive what Thou requirest not? Why dost Thou
burden me, Thyservitor, with Thy mighty condescension? I...
Christ's Connection with the Creator Shown from Several Incidents...
... by that man of God, who ordered ten [4273] barley loaves which had been given him
to be distributed among the people; and when hisservitor, after contrasting...
George Whitefield.
... From the Crypt school of his native town, he entered asservitor at Pembroke College,
Oxford, and was ordained at the proper age by Benson, bishop of Gloucester...
White
... John's College, Cambridge, in 1805 as aservitor; but died October 19, 1806, in
the second year of his college course, when only twenty-one years of age....
Thesaurus
Servitor (1 Occurrence)... The Hebrew word there rendered "
servitor" is elsewhere rendered "minister," "servant"
(Exodus 24:13; 33:11).
... Multi-Version Concordance
Servitor (1 Occurrence).
...Servitude (21 Occurrences)
Shebna (9 Occurrences)
... The feminine participle is employed of Abishag in 1 Kings 1:2, 4, where King James
Version, margin translates "cherisher"; BDB renders it "servitor" or "steward...
Serving (85 Occurrences)
Resources
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