λειτουργικός (G3010) — Greek Lexicon

λειτουργικός

leitourgikós

G3010 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Pertaining to performing a public service or office, especially in relation to serving in a religious or cultic context; describing action, service, or persons connected to official functions, particularly concerning service in a temple or sanctuary. The term is used both for religious service and, more generally, official public duty.

Semantic Range

pertaining to public service, pertaining to official religious or cultic service, ministering, engaged in liturgical duty, performing sacred service

Root / Etymology

From λειτουργέω (leitourgeō, 'to perform public service'), itself from λειτουργός (leitourgos, 'public servant' or 'minister'), ultimately from λειτός ('of the people') + ἔργον ('work'). Thus, λειτουργικός is an adjective denoting connection to such service or function.

Historical & Contextual Notes

λειτουργικός appears in Koine Greek literature, notably in the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 1:14; 8:2), to describe not only the service of human priests or ministers in a sanctuary but also, by extension, the service of angels or spiritual agents. In classical Greek, λειτουργία and λειτουργός centered on civic service, particularly wealthy citizens sponsoring public works, but by the Second Temple period the term had become specialized for cultic and temple-related duties. In the LXX and New Testament it is often associated with service in the Israelite or Judean sanctuary, especially priestly or angelic activity. Later ecclesiastical usage further narrows the term to acts of worship. English translations often use 'ministering' or 'serving,' but this generalizes the original sense of officially sanctioned activity; 'liturgical' (from the same root) preserves the cultic nuance, but is anachronistic for some contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as λειτουργέω; functional publicly ("liturgic"); i.e. beneficient:--ministering.

Root Family

λειτουργικός (leitourgikos) — public service, official religious duty, ministering service

Root λειτουργ- public service, serving, performing official religious duty

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3010-01`	λειτουργικὰ	leitourgika	`ADJ.A NOM N PL`	ministering	public-service duties	serving	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3010-01`	Hebrews 1:14	λειτουργικὰ	leitourgika	`ADJ.A NOM N PL`	ministering	public-service duties	serving

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