Treasure, Treasurer, Treasury
Treasure Treasurer Treasury
Three times in the literature of the apostolic period (2Co 4:7, Col 2:3, Heb 11:26) we find in the sense of treasure. The word is from with the paragogic termination – and means primarily the receptacle for valuables (cf. Mat 2:11). But in the sense of treasury we do not find it in the NT outside of Mat 12:35; Mat 13:52 and Luk 6:45. Elsewhere it is used of the things in the receptacle, the valuables, the treasure. In Heb 11:26 the word is applied to the treasures of Egypt which Moses gave up for the reproach of Christ, which he considered greater riches. Here the term wavers between the literal and the metaphorical. But in the other two examples the metaphorical alone appears. In 2Co 4:7 it is the ministry of the gospel of Christ, and in Col 2:3 it is the riches of wisdom in Christ, far in excess of human wisdom or the wisdom offered in the so-called mystery-religions of the time. In Act 8:27 is a Persian word current in the (see 2Es 5:17; 2Es 7:20; Polyb., Diod., Plut., etc.). The Persians used it for both treasury and treasure, as the Greeks did (see above); cf. Curt. III. xiii. 5.
Treasurer occurs only in Rom 16:23 : Erastus the treasurer of the city. Here the word is ( house, and , manage), manager of a house, steward, superintendent. So means superintendent of the citys business, treasurer (Vulg. [Note: Vulgate.] arcarius civitatis); cf. Est 8:9, 1Es 4:49, Jos. Ant. XII. iv. 7. The term is applied to apostles and ministers as Gods stewards (1Co 4:1, Tit 1:7). As a matter of fact the Eunuch of Ethiopia was queen Candaces treasurer over all her treasure (Act 8:27).
A. T. Robertson.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Treasure, Treasurer, Treasury
trezhur, trezhur-er, trezhur-i (, ‘ocar, , genaz, , genez, , ganzakh, , hosen , matmon, , miskenah, , 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 Ezr 6:1, but in Ezr 5:17 and Ezr 7:20 translated treasure-house: search made in the king’s treasure-house. In Est 3:9; Est 4:7 the Hebrew form is translated treasury, as is ganzakh in 1Ch 28:11.
2. Storehouse:
Storehouse, not the thing stored but the place of storage; ‘ocar 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. 1Ki 7:51, treasuries of the house of Yahweh, so also 2Ch 5:1; treasury in Neh 7:70, Neh 7:71, gave to the treasury a thousand darics of gold; in Job 38:22, treasuries of the snow (compare Pro 8:21; Jer 10:13; Jer 51:16; Ezr 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 (Gen 43:23); dig for it more than for hid treasures (Job 3:21); search for her as for hid treasures (Pro 2:4); We have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, etc. (Jer 41:8). (2) Mikhman, treasure as hidden, used only in Dan 11:43 : have power over the treasures of gold and silver. (3) Saphan, meaning hidden treasure or valuables concealed: hidden treasures of the sand (Deu 33:19).
4. Strength:
Perhaps the strength of riches and so treasure, the Hebrew word being hosen, from a root meaning to hoard or lay up: In the house of the righteous is much treasure (Pro 15:6); They take treasure and precious things (Eze 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 (Isa 10:13).
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word most often translated treasure is ‘ocar. It occurs in the sing. as follows: Deu 28:12; 1Ch 29:8; Neh 10:38; Psa 17:14; Psa 135:4; Pro 15:16; Pro 21:20; Ecc 2:8; Isa 33:6; Dan 1:2; Hos 13:15; in the pl.: Deu 32:34; 1Ki 14:26; 1Ki 15:18; 2Ki 12:18; 2Ki 14:14; 2Ki 16:8; 2Ki 18:15; 2Ki 20:13, 2Ki 20:15; 2Ki 24:13, etc.
The same word is in the King James Version translated treasuries in 1Ch 9:26; 1Ch 28:12; 2Ch 32:27; Neh 13:12, Neh 13:13; Psa 135:7; and treasury in Jos 6:19, Jos 6:24; Jer 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 Act 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 Mar 12:41, Mar 12:43 parallel Luk 21:1; Joh 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 (Mat 13:44); good treasure of the heart (Mat 12:35). Other references to material treasure are Mat 6:21; Mat 13:52; Luk 12:21, Luk 12:34, etc. References to spiritual treasure are Mat 19:21; Mar 10:21; Luk 6:45; Luk 12:33; Luk 18:22; plural Mat 6:20; Col 2:3.
In Mat 27:6 the word for treasury is , korbanas; compare the Revised Version margin. See CORBAN.
Treasurer
(, ‘acar, , gedhabhar, , gizbar, , sakhan; , oikonomos): (1) ‘Acar, meaning primarily to store up, and hence, one who lays up in store, i.e. a treasurer: I made treasurers over the treasuries (Neh 13:13). (2) Gedhabhar (Aramaic), used only in Dan 3:2, Dan 3:3 : treasurers, named with judges and counselors as recognized officials. (3) Gizbar, used in Ezr 7:21 (Aramaic) and equivalent in Ezr 1:8 (Hebrew): treasurers beyond the river and Mithredath the treasurer. (4) Sakhan, primarily meaning one who ministers to, and hence, a keeper of treasure, treasurer: Get thee unto this treasurer (Isa 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 (Rom 16:23).