Bible Word of the Day

Amanuensis (Servant by Hand, Scribe)

Meaning
The word amanuensis is a Latin word meaning “servant by hand” or in our modern vernacular it means a scribe or secretary who took dictation. The term was used to refer to men who could fluently read and write the required language needed for the letter at hand. In many cases it was either Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek. Many of the Bible authors used scribes to write their letters as they spoke and then afterwards the authors would proof read the letter and sign their names. For example the Apostle Paul dictated letters to Tertius and the Apostle Peter used Silvanus to write Greek.

Another example is the prophet Jeremiah, who used an amanuensis or personal scribe named Baruch, who recorded Jeremiah’s words which are contained in the book of Jeremiah. The Apostle Paul used the scribe Tertius to write his letter to the Romans. In addition Silas may have also served as a scribe for Peter as well, in the writing of 1st Peter. An amanuensis does not interfere with the divine inspiration of scripture; because the author was influenced by the Holy Spirit as they spoke the words which were then written down by the amanuensis.