שָׁרַת (sha.rat)
sha.rat
to minister
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 75 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The verb sha.rat describes the act of serving or ministering, often with a focus on attending to the needs of another person. In its most common usage within the Hebrew Bible, it refers to the duties performed by priests and Levites in the Tabernacle and Temple. This includes tasks such as preparing offerings, maintaining sacred vessels, and assisting in worship rituals, as seen in the detailed instructions for Aaron’s sons in Exodus 28:35.
The word carries a sense of humble service, sometimes implying menial labor or waiting on someone of higher status. For instance, Joseph serves Potiphar in Genesis 39:4, and Joshua acts as Moses’ attendant in Exodus 24:13. When applied to religious contexts, it highlights the dedicated role of those who facilitate worship, such as the Levites who minister before the Lord in Numbers 3:6.
Its root conveys a consistent theme of active participation in service, whether in secular or sacred settings. The term underscores the importance of faithful attendance and duty, reflecting a broader biblical emphasis on serving God and others with diligence and respect.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sha.rat describes a life of active service, moving beyond simple duty to include attentive care for others. In the Old Testament, it often referred to the Levites and priests who tended the Tabernacle, ensuring that worship proceeded with reverence and order. This same spirit of dedicated attendance appears in secular stories, such as Joseph serving Potiphar or Joshua assisting Moses, showing that faithful service is valued whether in sacred spaces or daily work.
For your Christian life, this word invites you to view service not as a burden, but as a privilege. It suggests that attending to the needs of others, whether in church ministry or family responsibilities, is a form of worship. When you serve with diligence and humility, you reflect the heart of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. This perspective transforms ordinary tasks into acts of devotion.
Consider how this word encourages patience and consistency. Service is rarely about grand gestures; it is often found in the quiet, repeated acts of caring for others. By embracing sha.rat, you join a long line of believers who have found meaning in faithful attendance. May your service be marked by grace, bringing peace to those you help and joy to your own heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 75 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ serve15×
- servants/ his6×
- to/ serve/ him5×
- they will serve4×
- [the] servants of4×
- serving3×
- servants3×
- servant/ his3×
- [was] serving3×
- [the] servant of3×
- who/ served2×
- they will serve/ you2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/שָׁרֵ֣ת4×
- מְשָׁרֵ֥ת3×
- מְשָׁרְתֵ֖י3×
- לְ/שָׁרֵ֖ת3×
- לְ/שָׁ֣רְת֔/וֹ3×
- מְשָׁרְתָ֜י/ו2×
- מְשָׁרְתֵ֣י2×
- מְשָׁרְתִ֥ים2×
- מְשָׁ֣רְת֔/וֹ2×
- מְ֝שָׁרְתָ֗י/ו2×
- יְשָׁרְת֑וּ/נֶךְ2×
- יְשָֽׁרְתוּ\־2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 39:4
Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
This verse shows the word applied to Joseph’s faithful administrative service in a secular household, demonstrating that integrity in daily work is also a form of ministering.
-
Exodus 28:35
It shall be on Aaron to minister: and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Yahweh, and when he comes out, that he not die.
Here the term describes Aaron’s priestly duties, emphasizing that proper worship requires careful adherence to God’s instructions to ensure life rather than death.
-
Numbers 3:6
“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
The Levites are set apart to minister to Aaron, illustrating a hierarchical structure of service where one group supports another in the sacred work of the Tabernacle.
-
Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time Yahweh set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, to stand before Yahweh to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.
This passage highlights the tribe of Levi’s ongoing role to stand before Yahweh and minister, linking their service directly to blessing the people in God’s name.