In biblical times, the role of a treasurer was significant in both religious and governmental contexts. A treasurer was responsible for managing and overseeing the financial resources, including the collection, storage, and distribution of funds and valuables. This position required a high level of trustworthiness and integrity, as treasurers handled substantial wealth and resources.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of a treasurer is evident in the administration of the kingdom of Israel. King David, known for his organizational skills and devotion to God, appointed officials to manage the kingdom's resources. In 1 Chronicles 28:1, David assembled the leaders of Israel, including the "officials in charge of the king’s work," which would have included treasurers responsible for the royal treasury.

The role of a treasurer is further highlighted during the reign of King Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 18:15, Hezekiah gave all the silver found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house to the king of Assyria. This passage underscores the treasurer's role in managing both the temple and royal treasuries.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the position of a treasurer is notably mentioned in the context of Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. Judas served as the keeper of the money bag for Jesus and His disciples. John 12:6 states, "He did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." This passage illustrates the importance of integrity in the role, as Judas' lack of honesty ultimately led to his betrayal of Jesus.

The early church also had individuals who managed financial matters. In Acts 4:34-35 , it is recorded that believers sold their possessions and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet for distribution to anyone in need. This communal approach required careful oversight, likely involving individuals who acted in a treasurer-like capacity to ensure fair and honest distribution.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

The role of a treasurer in the Bible carries symbolic and spiritual implications. It reflects the broader biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are entrusted with resources and are expected to manage them wisely and faithfully. In Luke 16:10-11 , Jesus teaches, "Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little is also dishonest with much. So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?"

The treasurer's role serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity, accountability, and stewardship in managing both material and spiritual resources. It underscores the biblical call for believers to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to them, whether in positions of financial responsibility or in their personal lives.(n.) One who has the care of a treasure or treasure or treasury; an officer who receives the public money arising from taxes and duties, or other sources of revenue, takes charge of the same, and disburses it upon orders made by the proper authority; one who has charge of collected funds; as, the treasurer of a society or corporation.TREASURE; TREASURER; TREASURY

trezh'-ur, trezh'-ur-er, trezh'-ur-i (otsar, genaz, genez, ganzakh, chocen matmon, mickenah, mikhman, `athudh, saphan; gaza, thesauros):

I. In the Old Testament.

1. Treasure

The English word "treasure" has in the Old Testament at least five somewhat distinct meanings as expressed in the words: "treasure," genaz (Aramaic) or genez (Hebrew), usually meaning "the thing stored"; translated "treasures" in Ezra 6:1, but in 5:17 and 7:20 translated "treasure-house": "search made in the king's treasure-house." In Esther 3:9; Esther 4:7 the Hebrew form is translated "treasury," as is ganzakh in 1 Chronicles 28:11.

2. Storehouse:

"Storehouse," not the thing stored but the place of storage; 'otsar means depository, cellar, garner, armory, store or treasure-house. In several places it ought to be translated by some of these words. It is the most frequent word for treasure. the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version both translate in some instances by other words, e.g. 1 Kings 7:51, "treasuries of the house of Yahweh," so also 2 Chronicles 5:1; "treasury" in Nehemiah 7:70, 71, "gave to the treasury a thousand darics of gold"; in Job 38:22, "treasuries of the snow" (compare Proverbs 8:21 Jeremiah 10:13; Jeremiah 51:16 Ezra 2:69).

3. Hidden Riches:

"Treasure" or something concealed. There are 3 Hebrew words with this meaning and all in the King James Version translated "treasure." (1) Matmon, which literally means "a secret storehouse" and so a secreted valuable, usually money buried, and so hidden riches of any kind, hid treasures: "treasure in your sacks" (Genesis 43:23); "dig for it more than for hid treasures" (Job 3:21); "search for her as for hid treasures" (Proverbs 2:4); "We have stores hidden in the field, of wheat," etc. (Jeremiah 41:8). (2) Mikhman, treasure as hidden, used only in Daniel 11:43: "have power over the treasures of gold and silver." (3) Saphan, meaning hidden treasure or valuables concealed: "hidden treasures of the sand" (Deuteronomy 33:19).

4. Strength:

Perhaps the strength of riches and so treasure, the Hebrew word being chocen, from a root meaning to hoard or lay up: "In the house of the righteous is much treasure" (Proverbs 15:6); "They take treasure and precious things" (Ezekiel 22:25).

5. Something Prepared:

"Something prepared," made ready, the Hebrew word being `athudh, meaning "prepared," "ready," therefore something of value and so treasure: "have robbed their treasures," fortifications or other things "made ready" (Isaiah 10:13).

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word most often translated "treasure" is 'otsar. It occurs in the sing. as follows: Deuteronomy 28:12 1 Chronicles 29:8; Nehemiah 10:38 Psalm 17:14; Psalm 135:4 Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 21:20 Ecclesiastes 2:8 Isaiah 33:6; Daniel 1:2 Hosea 13:15; in the pl.: Deuteronomy 32:34 1 Kings 14:26; 1 Kings 15:18; 2 Kings 12:18; 2 Kings 14:14; 2 Kings 16:8; 2 Kings 18:15; 2 Kings 20:13, 15; 24:13, etc.

The same word is in the King James Version translated "treasuries" in 1 Chronicles 9:26; 1 Chronicles 28:12 2 Chronicles 32:27; Nehemiah 13:12, 13 Psalm 135:7; and "treasury" in Joshua 6:19, 24 Jeremiah 38:11.

II. In the New Testament.

1. Gaza:

There are two words translated "treasure": Gaza is of Persian origin, meaning "treasure." Found only once in Acts 8:27 concerning the Ethiopian "who was over all her (Queen Candace's) treasure." In the compound gazophulakion, "guarding of gaza," the same word appears and the compound is translated "treasury" in Mark 12:41, 43 parallel Luke 21:1 John 8:20.

See TEMPLE; TREASURY (OF TEMPLE).

2. Thesauros:

The word thesauros means literally, a "deposit," so wealth and treasure. Evidently throughout the New Testament it has a twofold usage as describing

(1) material treasure, either money or other valuable material possession, and

(2) spiritual treasure, e.g. "like unto treasure hid in a field" (Matthew 13:44); "good treasure of the heart" (Matthew 12:35).

Other references to material treasure are Matthew 6:21; Matthew 13:52 Luke 12:21, 34, etc. References to spiritual treasure are Matthew 19:21 Mark 10:21 Luke 6:45; Luke 12:33; Luke 18:22; plural Matthew 6:20 Colossians 2:3.

In Matthew 27:6 the word for "treasury" is korbanas; compare the Revised Version margin.

See CORBAN.

TREASURER

('atsar, gedhabhar, gizbar, cakhan; oikonomos):

(1) 'Atsar, meaning primarily "to store up," and hence, one who lays up in store, i.e. a "treasurer": "I made treasurers over the treasuries" (Nehemiah 13:13).

(2) Gedhabhar (Aramaic), used only in Daniel 3:2, 3: "treasurers," named with judges and counselors as recognized officials.

(3) Gizbar, used in Ezra 7:21 (Aramaic) and equivalent in Ezra 1:8 (Hebrew): "treasurers beyond the river" and "Mithredath the treasurer."

(4) Cakhan, primarily meaning "one who ministers to," and hence, a keeper of treasure, treasurer: "Get thee unto this treasurer" (Isaiah 22:15). Perhaps the idea of steward is here intended.

(5) Oikonomos, by the King James Version translated "chamberlain," more properly in the American Standard Revised Version translated "treasurer": "Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you" (Romans 16:23).

William Edward Raffety

3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household
... Origin from oikos and nemo (to manage) Definition the manager of a household NASB
Word Usage manager (3), managers (1), steward (2), stewards (3), treasurer (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3623.htm - 7k1489. gizbar -- treasurer
... 1488, 1489. gizbar. 1490 . treasurer. Transliteration: gizbar Phonetic
Spelling: (ghiz-bawr') Short Definition: treasurer. Word ...
/hebrew/1489.htm - 5k

1411. gedaberayya -- perhaps treasurer
... 1410, 1411. gedaberayya. 1412 . perhaps treasurer. Transliteration: gedaberayya
Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-aw-bawr') Short Definition: treasurers. ... treasurer. ...
/hebrew/1411.htm - 6k

1490. gizbar -- treasurer
... 1489, 1490. gizbar. 1491 . treasurer. Transliteration: gizbar Phonetic
Spelling: (ghiz-bawr') Short Definition: treasurers. ... treasurer. ...
/hebrew/1490.htm - 6k

5532. cakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
... acquaint self, be advantage, ever, be, unprofitable, treasurer, be wont
A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to ...
/hebrew/5532.htm - 5k

686. atsar -- to lay up, store up
... lay up in store, make treasurer. A primitive root; to store up -- (lay up in) store, +
(make) treasure(-r). 685, 686. atsar. 687 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/686.htm - 6k

To J. Tarn, Esq. , Under-Treasurer of the British and Foreign ...
... To J. Tarn, Esq., Under-Treasurer of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Account
of the disbursement of certain monies received by me for my journey to St. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to j tarn esq under-treasurer.htm

Letter xv. To Arcadius, Imperial Treasurer.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter XV. To Arcadius,
Imperial Treasurer. The townsmen of our metropolis have ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xv to arcadius imperial.htm

A Heavy Draw on Alexander the Great.
... Well, he presented a bill to the treasurer, and the treasurer wouldn't honor it.
It was for such an enormous amount that the treasurer was astonished. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a heavy draw on alexander.htm

How Cyrus, King of the Persians, Delivered the Jews Out Of
... So he committed these things to Mithridates, the treasurer, to be sent away, with
an order to give them to Sanabassar, that he might keep them till the temple ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how cyrus king.htm

Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.
... king, Clotaire the second. Clotaire's treasurer, Bobbo, made his acquaintance,
and took him into his house. It happened that the ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/eligius bishop of noyon.htm

St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus, and a Particular Account of his ...
... It is said that on one occasion the treasurer, who was a godly man, discovered that
the revenues of the church had been nearly drained, and so little remained ...
/.../chapter xxvii st epiphanius bishop of.htm

Of the Confiscation of the Sacred Treasures and Taking Away of the ...
... In company with Julianus the prefect of the East, Felix the imperial treasurer,
and Elpidius, who had charge of the emperor's private purse and property, an ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter viii of the confiscation of.htm

The Organized Sunday School Bible Class
... Standard of Organization=. 1. The class shall have at least five officers:
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Teacher. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/viii the organized sunday school.htm

Epistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
... But I briefly indicate that, as in the regions of Ravenna the Piety of my Lords
has for the first army of Italy a treasurer (sacellarium) to defray the daily ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxi to constantina augusta.htm

Footnotes
... They were cheered by the smiles of beauty, and in the treasurer's accounts we learn
that Janet Monypenny of Pitmilly (an estate still in the possession of her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lang/john knox and the reformation/footnotes.htm

Treasurer (6 Occurrences)
... of revenue, takes charge of the same, and disburses it upon orders made by the proper
authority; one who has charge of collected funds; as, the treasurer of a ...
/t/treasurer.htm - 17k

Chamberlain (14 Occurrences)
... servant of the king (Genesis 37:36; 39:1). In Romans 16:23 mention is made of "Erastus
the chamberlain." Here the word denotes the treasurer of the city, or ...
/c/chamberlain.htm - 14k

Erastus (3 Occurrences)
... As treasurer of such a city he was a public officer of great dignity, and his
conversion to the gospel was accordingly a proof of the wonderful success of the ...
/e/erastus.htm - 9k

Mithredath (2 Occurrences)
... Given by Mithra, or dedicated to Mithra, ie, the sun, the Hebrew form of the Greek
name Mithridates. (1.) The "treasurer" of King Cyrus (Ezra 1:8). ...
/m/mithredath.htm - 8k

Candace (1 Occurrence)
... It is probable that Judaism had taken root in Ethiopia at this time, and hence the
visit of the queen's treasurer to Jerusalem to keep the feast. ...
/c/candace.htm - 8k

Steward (23 Occurrences)
... In Isaiah 22:15 Shebna is described in the text as "treasurer," but in the margin
as "steward," and seems to combine the ideas in both the words "treasurer...
/s/steward.htm - 21k

Quartus (1 Occurrence)
... kwor'-tus (Kouartos): A Christian in Corinth who with "Erastus the treasurer of
the city" sent greetings to the Christian community in Rome (Romans 16:23). ...
/q/quartus.htm - 7k

Treasurers (5 Occurrences)

/t/treasurers.htm - 8k

Treasure-house (6 Occurrences)
Treasure-house. Treasured, Treasure-house. Treasurer . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(See JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Treasured, Treasure-house. Treasurer . ...
/t/treasure-house.htm - 8k

Treasury (25 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TREASURE; TREASURER; TREASURY. ... See also TREASURE,
TREASURER, TREASURY. W. Shaw Caldecott. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/treasury.htm - 27k

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