Temple Keeper

New Testament

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words

Definition

1neokorosG3511

Act 19:35, RV, and AV marg., "temple keeper" (AV, "worshiper"), is used in profane Greek of "one who has charge of a temple." Coin inscriptions show that it was an honorary title given to certain cities, especially in Asia Minor, where the cult of some god or of a deified human potentate had been established, here to Ephesus in respect of the goddess Artemis. Apparently the imperial cult also existed at Ephesus. Josephus applies the word to Jews as worshipers, but this is not the meaning in Acts 19.