Sadducees

Overview

Meaning Now

• A member of a Jewish sect or party of the time of Jesus Christ that denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of spirits, and the obligation of oral tradition, emphasizing acceptance of the written Law alone.

Journey

The Sadducees were the party of the priestly aristocracy and the wealthy elite during the Second Temple period. They held power in the Sanhedrin and were largely responsible for Temple operations. They rejected the Pharisaic tradition of the 'Oral Torah,' maintaining a strictly conservative focus on the written Law of Moses.

Evolution

1. Biblical Hebrew

   צדוק

   “Zadok (Proper name)”

   Name of the High Priest in the time of Solomon.

2. Second Temple Period Hebrew

   צדוקים (Tzadokim)

   “The party of the sons of Zadok”

   Reference to the priestly aristocracy.

3. 1st century Koine Greek

   Σαδδουκαῖοι

   “Sadducees”

   Hellenization of the Hebrew plural term.

4. Late Latin

   Sadducaei

   “Sadducees”

5. Middle English

   Saduceis

   “Sadducees”

Connections

Explore next

Related to Sadducees

• emanuel→
• james→
• joshua→