שָׁרַת

Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine singular שֵׁרֵת Num 8:26; Deut 18:7 3 masculine plural שֵׁרְתוּ Num 3:6 Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיְשָׁ֫רֶת Gen 39:4, 3 masculine plural יְשָֽׁרְתוּ Num 3:31 +, etc.; Infinitive construct לְשָׁרֵת Exod 28:35 +, לְשָׁ֫רֶת שָׁם Deut 17:12, etc.; Participle מְשָׁרֵת Num 11:28 + (2Sam 13:9 see מַשְׂרֵת, p. 602:a), feminine מְשָׁרַת 1Kgs 1:15, etc.; — serve:

1. of ministerial service (opposed tomenial, עבד):
  a. higher domestic service: Joseph Gen 39:4; Gen 40:4 (JE), Elisha's chief servant 2Kgs 4:43; 2Kgs 6:15, royal domestics 2Sam 13:17; 2Sam 13:18; 1Kgs 10:5; 2Chr 9:4; Esth 2:2; Esth 6:3, Abishag 1Kgs 1:4; 1Kgs 1:15.
  b. of royal officers (late) 1Chr 27:1; 1Chr 28:1; 2Chr 17:19; 2Chr 22:8; Esth 1:10; Prov 29:12.
  c. Joshua as chief assistant to Moses Exod 24:13; Exod 33:11 (E), Num 11:28 (J), Josh 1:1 (D), Elisha to Elijah 1Kgs 19:21.
  d. of angels to ׳י Ps 103:21, compare Ps 104:4.
  e. of kings of nations in prophets Isa 60:10.

2. usually of special service in worship:
  a. of Levitical priests, absolute 1Kgs 8:11 = 2Chr 5:14 with accusative ׳י Deut 10:8; Deut 17:12; Deut 21:5; Jer 33:21 + (strangely) מְשָֽׁרְתֵי אֹתִי vJer 33:22 also Isa 60:7 of animals put figurative for those sacrificing them; of foreigners admitted to priesthood Isa 61:6, compare Isa 56:6 so probably Samuel conceived as priest 1Sam 2:11; 1Sam 3:1, ׳את פני י 1Sam 2:18 (פני probably accusative, compare ᵐ5 τῷ προσώπῳ v1Sam 2:11), ׳בְּשֵׁם י ׳שׁDeut 18:5; Deut 18:7.
  b. Levites (P, and late); with accusative of Aaronic priests Num 3:6; Num 8:26; Num 18:2, with accusative of ׳י 1Chr 15:2; 2Chr 29:11 a; probably also in reference to Levitical singer Ps 101:6 with accusative tabernacle Num 1:50 (P), congregation Num 16:9 (P), people Ezek 44:11 + vEzek 44:12 (of idolatry); absolute 1Chr 16:4; 2Chr 23:6; 2Chr 29:11 b 2Chr 31:2; Ezra 8:17 (participle as substantive, ministers); לִפְנֵי ׳שׁ ׳אֲרוֺן בְּרִית י 1Chr 16:37, נֶגֶד הַכֹּהֲנִים ׳שׁ 2Chr 8:14 ׳שׁ with ב location 1Chr 26:12 especially with בְּ, of sacred vessels Num 3:31; Num 4:9; Num 4:12; Num 4:14; 2Kgs 25:14 = Jer 52:18 בַּשִּׁיר 1Chr 6:17.
  c. Zadokite priests (Ezekiel), absolute Ezek 42:14 + 3 t., with accusative ׳י Ezek 40:48 + 4 t., construct מְשָׁרֲתֵי before sacred place Ezek 45:4; Ezek 45:5; Ezek 46:24.
  d. Aaronic priests, absolute Exod 28:35 + 4 t. P; with accusative ׳י 1Chr 23:13 ׳לי 2Chr 13:10 ׳מְשָֽׁרְתֵי י Joel 1:9; Joel 1:13; Joel 2:17, מְשָֽׁרְתֵי מזבח Joel 1:13, with בַּקֹּדֶשׁ Exod 28:43 + 4 t. P.
  e. of idolatry, with accusative עץ ואבן Ezek 20:32.