Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the role of a secretary, also known as a scribe, was a position of significant importance and responsibility. Secretaries were entrusted with the recording, copying, and preservation of documents, laws, and decrees. They played a crucial role in the administration of both religious and governmental affairs.
Old Testament ContextThe Hebrew term often translated as "scribe" or "secretary" is "sopher" (סוֹפֵר). These individuals were skilled in writing and were responsible for various clerical duties. One of the earliest mentions of a scribe in the Bible is found in the context of the monarchy. In
2 Samuel 8:17, we read, "Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe." This indicates that scribes were part of the royal court and were involved in the administration of the kingdom.
In the time of King Josiah, the role of the scribe was pivotal in the religious reforms that took place. Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD, and Shaphan the scribe read it before the king (
2 Kings 22:8-10). This event underscores the scribe's role in communicating and implementing religious reforms.
New Testament ContextBy the New Testament period, scribes had become a distinct group within Jewish society, often associated with the Pharisees. They were experts in the Law of Moses and were responsible for teaching and interpreting the Scriptures. In the Gospels, scribes are frequently mentioned in conjunction with the Pharisees, as seen in
Matthew 23:2, "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat."
The scribes' expertise in the law made them influential in religious and legal matters. However, Jesus often criticized them for their hypocrisy and legalism. In
Mark 12:38-40, Jesus warns, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and receive greetings in the marketplaces, and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation."
Role and ResponsibilitiesSecretaries or scribes were responsible for various tasks, including:
1.
Recording and Copying Texts: They meticulously copied sacred texts, ensuring the preservation and transmission of the Scriptures. This task required precision and a deep understanding of the content.
2.
Legal and Administrative Duties: Scribes were involved in drafting legal documents, recording transactions, and maintaining official records. Their work was essential for the functioning of both religious and civil institutions.
3.
Teaching and Interpretation: In the New Testament era, scribes were regarded as teachers of the law. They interpreted the Scriptures and provided guidance on religious and ethical matters.
4.
Advisory Roles: In royal courts, scribes often served as advisors to kings and officials, providing counsel based on their knowledge of the law and historical records.
Significance in Biblical NarrativeThe role of secretaries or scribes is significant in the biblical narrative as they were instrumental in preserving the Word of God and ensuring its accurate transmission through generations. Their work laid the foundation for the religious and legal systems of ancient Israel and influenced the development of early Christian thought.
While the scribes of the New Testament are often portrayed in a negative light due to their opposition to Jesus, their historical role as preservers and interpreters of Scripture remains a testament to their importance in biblical history.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Secretary.
Strong's Hebrew
670. apharesaye -- official... 669, 670. apharesaye. 671 . official. Transliteration: apharesaye Phonetic
Spelling: (af-aw-re-sah'ee) Short Definition:
secretaries.
...5613b. sopher -- enumerator, secretary, scribe
... as sepher Definition enumerator, secretary, scribe NASB Word Usage learned (1),
office (1), scribe (39), scribe's (2), scribes (5),secretaries (1), secretary...
Library
Humbly Inscribed to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of his...
... HUMBLY INSCRIBED TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL
SECRETARIES OF STATE. cFatis contraria fata rependens."Virg. NIGHT NINTH....
Further Answers to Prayer
... When these proposals were first made to me, I was not quite clear as to what I ought
to do, and in writing to my father and thesecretaries, told them that I...
Letters to Neri Di Landoccio Dei Pagliaresi
... Neri di Landoccio dei Pagliaresi is one of the attractive group of Catherine's
secretaries, which included also Stefano Maconi and Barduccio Canigiani....
In Sanctuary
... The youths sprang up, and almost immediately Chrysostom came out, and, attended
by his clergy andsecretaries, walked rapidly to the Cathedral....
Christ
... other lives. He had no office hours and never interposedsecretaries or
major-domos between himself and the people. He received...
St. Gregory the Great.
... there might still be seen a Byzantine prefect, an eunuch from the court of the eastern
despot, or a semi-Asiatic general, withsecretaries, servants, and guards...
Introduction
... of language cannot be explained by the supposition that Peter used two different
amanuenses or dictated the two letters roughly to differentsecretaries....
In the Homes of the People
... how hard she worked them. The treasurers andsecretaries tell of her
cleverness in financial affairs. The sergeant-majors chuckle...
The Civil Trial
... Pilate came out to receive them and seated himself on his chair of state, with his
secretaries beside him, and behind him, no doubt, numbers of bronzed Roman...
The Rural Sunday School
... The Young Men's Christian Association County WorkSecretaries are getting the boys
of the open country together for week-night meetings without trouble....
Thesaurus
Secretaries (5 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Secretary. Multi-Version Concordance
Secretaries (5 Occurrences). 1 Kings 4:3 Elihoreph
...Shavsha (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary ("Seraiah, " 2 Samuel 8:17; "Shisha, " 1 Kings
4:3), one of David'ssecretaries (1 Chronicles 18:16). Int....
Secretary (34 Occurrences)
Belshazzar (8 Occurrences)
... filled with tablets, the receipts and contracts of a firm of Babylonian bankers,
which showed that Belshazzar had a household, withsecretaries and stewards....
Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... capacity as household servants, cooks, bathmen, gardeners, grooms, kennel-keepers,
porters, doorkeepers, messengers,secretaries, amanuenses, teachers...
Ahijah (23 Occurrences)
... (5.) A Levite having charge of the sacred treasury in the temple (1 Chronicles
26:20). (6.) One of Solomon'ssecretaries (1 Kings 4:3)....
Subscribe (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To attest by writing one's name beneath; as, officers subscribe their official
acts, andsecretaries and clerks subscribe copies or records....
Scribes (85 Occurrences)
... The scribes acted assecretaries of state, whose business it was to prepare and
issue decrees in the name of the king (2 Samuel 8:17; 20:25; 1 Chronicles 18:16...
Seraiah (18 Occurrences)
... (1.) The father of Joab (1 Chronicles 4:13, 14). (2.) The grandfather of Jehu (1
Chronicles 4:35). (3.) One of David's scribes orsecretaries (2 Samuel 8:17)....
Text (5 Occurrences)
... Dictation was largely followed by Paul, the names of at least four of hissecretaries,
Tertius, Sosthenes, Timothy, and Sylvanus, being given, while the master...
Resources
What are ways I could serve / be serving in the church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the different theories of biblical inspiration? | GotQuestions.orgWho wrote the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSecretaries: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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