Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2406: ἱεράτευμαἱεράτευμα, ἱερατευματος, τό (ἱερατεύω), (priesthood i. e.) a. the office of priest. b. the order or body of priests (see ἀδελφότης, αἰχμαλωσία, διασπορά, θεραπεία); so Christians are called, because they have access to God and offer not external but 'spiritual' (πνευματικά) sacrifices: 1 Peter 2:5; also βασίλειον ἱεράτευμα, 1 Peter 2:9 (after Exodus 19:6, the Sept.), priests of kingly rank, i. e. exalted to a moral rank and freedom which exempts them from the control of everyone but God and Christ. (Exodus 23:22, etc.; 2 Macc. 2:17); not found in secular authors.) |
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