Original Word: γραμματεύς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: grammateus
Pronunciation: gram-mat-YOOS
Phonetic Spelling: (gram-mat-yooce')
Definition: Scribe
Meaning: (a) in Jerusalem, a scribe, one learned in the Jewish Law, a religious teacher, (b) at Ephesus, the town-clerk, the secretary of the city, (c) a man of learning generally.

scribe, town-clerk.

From gramma. A writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary -- scribe, town-clerk.

see GREEK gramma

1122 grammateús (from graphō, "to write") – a scribe.

Word Origin
from gramma
Definition
a writer, scribe
NASB Translation
scribe (4), scribes (59), town clerk (1).

STRONGS NT 1122: γραμματεύς

γραμματεύς, γραμματέως (accusative plural γραμματεῖς, Winers Grammar, § 9, 2; (Buttmann, 14 (13))), ὁ (γράμμα), the Sept. for סֹפֵר and שֹׁטֵר;

1. in secular authors and here and there in the O. T. (e. g. 2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 20:25; 2 Kings 19:2; 2 Kings 25:19; Psalm 44:2 (), a clerk, scribe, especially a public scribe, secretary, recorder, whose office and influence differed in different states: Acts 19:35 (Sir. 10:5); (cf. Lightfoot in The Contemporary Review for 1878, p. 294; Wood, Discoveries at Ephesus, Appendix, Inscriptions from the Great Theatre, p. 49 n.),

2. in the Bible, a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher: Matthew 23:34; 1 Corinthians 1:20 (called also νομικός in Luke 10:25, and νομοδιδάσκαλος in Luke 5:17; (Meyer (on Matthew 22:35), while denying any essential different between γραμματεύς and νομικός (cf. Luke 11:52, 53 — yet see critical texts), regards the latter name as the more specific (a jurisconsult) and Classic, γραμματεύς as the more general (a learned man) and Hebraistic; it is also the more common in the Apocrypha, where νομικός occurs only 4 Macc. 5:3. As teachers they were called νομοδιδάσκαλοι. Cf. B. D. under the word , also under the word I. 1 note)); Jeremiah 8:8 (cf. 2:8); Nehemiah 8:1; Nehemiah 12:26, 36; 2 Esdr. 7:6, 11, and especially Sir. 38:24, 31ff Sir. 39:1-11. The γραμματεῖς explained the meaning of the sacred oracles, Matthew 2:4 (γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ, Joshua 1:10; 1 Macc. 5:42; cf. Sir. 44:4); ; Mark 9:11; Mark 12:35; examined into the more difficult and subtile questions of the law, Matthew 9:3; Mark 2:6; Mark 12:28; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope, and did this to the detriment of religion, Matthew 5:20; Matthew 15:1ff; 23:2ff; Mark 7:1ff; cf. Luke 11:46. Since the advice of men skilled in the law was needed in the examination of causes and the solution of difficult questions, they were enrolled in the Sanhedrin; and accordingly in the N. T. they are often mentioned in connection with the priests and elders of the people: Matthew 21:15; Matthew 26:3 R G; Mark 11:18, 27; Mark 14:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 19:47; Luke 20:1; Luke 22:2. Cf. Schürer, Neutest. Zeitgesch. § 25 ii.; Klöpper in Schenkel v. 247ff; (and thorough articles in BB. DD. under the word ; cf. Winer's Grammar, Robertson Smith, The O. T. in the Jewish Ch., Lect. iii.):

3. universally, a religious teacher: γραμματεύς μαθητευθείς εἰς τήν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν a teacher so instructed that from his learning and ability to teach advantage may redound to the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 13:52 (but G T Tr WH read μαθητευθείς τῇ βασιλεία (L ἐν τῇ βασιλείαν); and many interpret made a disciple unto the kingdom of heaven (which is personified); see μαθητεύω, at the end).

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word γράμμα (gramma), meaning "letter" or "writing."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek γραμματεύς corresponds to the Hebrew סוֹפֵר (sopher), Strong's Hebrew 5608, which also refers to a scribe or someone skilled in writing and interpreting the law.

Usage: The term γραμματεύς is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who were experts in the Jewish law. They were often associated with the Pharisees and were influential in religious and legal matters. They are frequently mentioned in the Gospels in the context of their interactions with Jesus.

Context: The γραμματεύς, or scribe, played a significant role in Jewish society during the time of the New Testament. These individuals were scholars and teachers of the law, responsible for copying, preserving, and interpreting the Scriptures. They were often seen as authorities on religious and legal matters and held positions of respect and influence.

In the Gospels, scribes are frequently depicted as opponents of Jesus, often challenging His teachings and authority. For example, in Matthew 23:2-3 (BSB), Jesus acknowledges their authority in teaching the law but criticizes their hypocrisy: "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."

Scribes were also involved in the legal proceedings against Jesus, as seen in Mark 14:53 (BSB): "They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled." Despite their opposition to Jesus, some scribes were depicted as being open to His teachings, as in Mark 12:28-34 (BSB), where a scribe acknowledges the wisdom of Jesus' answer regarding the greatest commandment.

The role of the scribe was not limited to opposition; they were essential in the preservation and teaching of the Jewish faith. Their dedication to the Scriptures ensured the transmission of the sacred texts through generations.

γραμματέα γραμματεί γραμματεις γραμματείς γραμματεῖς γραμματεύειν γραμματεύοντα γραμματευς γραμματεύς γραμματεὺς γραμματεύσι γραμματευσιν γραμματεύσιν γραμματεῦσιν γραμματεων γραμματέων γραμματέως γραμματική γραμματικοί γραμματοεισαγωγείς grammateis grammateîs grammateon grammateōn grammatéon grammatéōn grammateus grammateús grammateùs grammateusin grammateûsinInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts