ἱεράτευμα
hieráteuma
G2406 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A body or group possessing priestly status; specifically, a priesthood as an organized collective of those who perform sacred or ritual duties. In figurative contexts (notably in the New Testament), used to describe a collective of individuals designated as possessing a priestly character or function, not restricted to Levite or hereditary priesthood but more broadly conceptualized. In Hellenistic and Roman-period usage, the term can refer to either a formal priestly office or an abstract collective, depending on context.
Semantic Range
priesthood, body of priests, priestly status or function; group bearing priestly identity or performing sacred duties; figuratively, any collective marked by priestly character
Root / Etymology
Formed from the verb ἱερατεύω ('to serve as a priest'), which derives from ἱερεύς ('priest'). The suffix -μα indicates the result or collective of the root action, thus 'the function or office of priests' or 'the body of priests.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἱεράτευμα appears rarely in pre-Christian Greek literature; its most noted occurrences are in the Septuagint (LXX) and in the New Testament (1 Peter 2:5, 9), where it refers to a 'priestly body' or 'priesthood.' In the LXX, it is typically used for the hereditary priesthood of the Israelites (cf. Exodus 19:6; 23:22), whereas in 1 Peter, the term is employed figuratively, applying to a community (the ekklēsia) described with cultic language previously reserved for Israelite priests, broadening the priestly designation to a wider group. English translations usually render the term as 'priesthood,' but often without capturing the full nuance of its collective, stative, or occasionally honorific sense. The term should be distinguished from ἱερωσύνη, which often refers more explicitly to the priestly office or function, rather than the group as a collective entity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἱερατεύω; the priestly fraternity, i.e. sacerdotal order (figuratively):--priesthood.
Root Family
ἱεράτευμα (hieráteuma) — priesthood, body of priests, priestly collective, priestly office
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2406-01 |
ἱεράτευμα | ierateuma | N ACC N SG |
priesthood | a priestly body | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2406-01 |
1 Peter 2:5 | ἱεράτευμα | ierateuma | N ACC N SG |
priesthood | a priestly body |
G2406-01 |
1 Peter 2:9 | ἱεράτευμα | ierateuma | N NOM N SG |
priesthood | a priestly body |