In biblical contexts, the term "attendant" generally refers to a person who serves or assists another, often in a religious or ceremonial capacity. The role of an attendant can be seen throughout the Scriptures, where individuals are appointed to assist leaders, priests, or prophets in their duties. This entry explores the various instances and roles of attendants in the Bible, highlighting their significance and contributions to biblical narratives.

Old Testament References

1. Priestly Attendants: In the Old Testament, attendants often served in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. The Levites, for example, were appointed as attendants to the priests, assisting in the maintenance of the sanctuary and the performance of sacrifices. Numbers 3:6-9 describes the Levites being given to Aaron and his sons to serve as attendants: "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle."

2. Royal Attendants: Attendants also served in royal courts, assisting kings and other officials. In 1 Kings 10:5 , the Queen of Sheba is impressed by the wisdom of Solomon and the organization of his court, including "the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD."

3. Prophetic Attendants: Prophets often had attendants who assisted them in their ministry. Elisha, for example, had an attendant named Gehazi. In 2 Kings 4:12 , Elisha instructs Gehazi to call the Shunammite woman: "Then he said to his servant Gehazi, 'Call the Shunammite woman.' And when he had called her, she stood before him."

New Testament References

1. Synagogue Attendants: In the New Testament, attendants are mentioned in the context of synagogue services. In Luke 4:20 , after Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue, He hands it back to the attendant: "Then He rolled up the scroll, returned it to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him."

2. Servants and Deacons: The concept of attendants extends to the early church, where deacons served as attendants to the needs of the congregation. Acts 6:2-4 describes the appointment of deacons to assist the apostles: "So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, 'It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.'"

Significance and Symbolism

Attendants in the Bible often symbolize service, humility, and dedication. Their roles, though sometimes seen as secondary, are crucial to the functioning of religious and royal institutions. Attendants exemplify the biblical principle of servanthood, as seen in Jesus' teaching in Mark 10:43-45 : "But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

In summary, attendants in the Bible serve as vital contributors to the spiritual and communal life of God's people, embodying the call to serve others in faithfulness and humility.