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The
word Shamash vmv
means
something which can be used or is being useful. It originates from the
Aramaic and Hebrew words for "sun god" or "servant".
The word is used in Israeli congregations for a deacon. This certainly
gives a good indication of servant spirit associated with the position of
the deacon in the congregation. The deacon or shamash
is used for the service and support of the congregation. It is considered
to be a high and respectable position, a radiant one. The original Aramaic
means Sun god and the Hebrew word for the sun is spelt in exactly the same
way, but is pronounced shemesh.
In the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, a lamp made of eight candles is lit by
the ninth candle, which is called the Shamash. This is the servant candle
and is normally positioned higher than the other candles.
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The
New Testament makes the link clearly inasmuch as the word deacon
is synonymous with servant
(see Rom 16:1; Phil 1:1).
It
is great to see how this is linked to Yeshua and his servant life and
death. He, despite being of a high position, lowered Himself and served
with no limits (Phil 2:6-8).
This
is a lesson to all those who are in active service in their congregation
as deacons. We should constantly look to the Bible, and it is amazing
sometimes how the Hebrew origin can reveal so much about a word and its
application.
Gil
Alon, BMJA member |
