(Hierogrammatei), i.e. holy registers, were an order of priests among the ancient Hieroglyphic-masters: ancient Egyptians, who presided over learning and religion. They had the care of the hieroglyphics, and were the expositors of religious doctrines and opinions. They were looked upon as a kind of prophets; and it is pretended, that one of them predicted to an Egyptian king, that an Israelite (meaning Moses), eminent for his qualifications and achievements, would lessen and depress the Egyptian monarchy.—The hierogrammatei were always near the king, to assist him with their informations and counsels. The better to fit them for this, they made use of the skill and knowledge they had acquired in the stars and the motions of the heavenly bodies, and even of the writings of their predecessors, wherein their functions and duties were delivered. They were exempted from all civil employments, were reputed the first persons in dignity next the king, and bore a kind of sceptre in form of a ploughshare.—After Egypt became a province of the Roman empire, the hierogrammatei sunk into neglect.