of´is : In the Old Testament the word is often used in periphrastic renderings, e.g. "minister ... in the priest's office," literally, act as priest ( Exodus 28:1 , etc.); "do the office of a midwife," literally, cause or help to give birth (Exodus 1:16 ). But the word is also used as a rendering of different Hebrew words, e.g. כּן , kēn , "pedestal," "place" (Genesis 40:13 , the King James Version "place"; Genesis 41:13 ); עבדה , ‛ăbhōdhāh , "labor," "work" (1 Chronicles 6:32 ); פּקדּה , peḳuddāh , "oversight," "charge" (Psalm 109:8 ); מעמד , ma‛ămādh , literally, "standing," e.g. waiting at table (1 Chronicles 23:28 ); משׁמר , mishmār , "charge," observance or service of the temple (Nehemiah 13:14 the King James Version).
Similarly in the New Testament the word is used in periphrastic renderings, e.g. priest's office (Luke 1:8 , Luke 1:9 ); office of a deacon (διακονία , diakonı́a , 1 Timothy 3:10 ); office of a bishop (ἐπισκοπή , episkopḗ , 1 Timothy 3:1 ). the Revised Version (British and American) uses other renderings, e.g. "ministry" (Romans 11:13 ); "serve as deacons" (1 Timothy 3:10 ). In Acts 1:20 , the Revised Version (British and American) has "office" (margin "overseership") for the King James Version "bishoprick."
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
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