Bible Encyclopedia: Ordain

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ORDAIN; ORDINATION

or-dan', or-di-na-shun (Latin ordinare, "to set in order" "to arrange"; in post-Augustan Latin "to appoint to office"; from ordo, gen. ordinis, "order," "arrangement"): In the King James Version the verb "to ordain" renders as many as 35 different words (11 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, 21 Greek words in Apocrypha and the New Testament, and 3 Latin words in Apocrypha). This is due to the fact that the English word has many shades of meaning (especially as used in the time the King James Version was made), of which the following are the chief:

(1) To set in order, arrange, prepare:

"All things that we ordained festival,

Turn from their office to black funeral."

-Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, IV, v, 84.

This meaning is now obsolete. It is found in the King James Version of Psalm 132:17 Isaiah 30:33 Hebrews 9:6 (in each of which cases the Revised Version (British and American) or margin substitutes "prepare"); 1 Chronicles 17:9 (the Revised Version (British and American) "appoint"); Psalm 7:13 (the Revised Version (British and American) "maketh"); Habakkuk 1:12 (also the Revised Version (British and American)).

(2) To establish, institute, bring into being: "When first this order (i.e. the Garter) was ordained, my Lord" (Shakespeare). So in 1 Kings 12:32, "Jeroboam ordained a feast in the 8th month" (12:33); Numbers 28:6 Psalm 8:2, 3 Isaiah 26:12; 2Es 6:49 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "preserve"); Sirach 7:15; Galatians 3:19.

(3) To decree, give orders, prescribe:

"And doth the power that man adores

Ordain their doom"-Byron.

So Esther 9:27, "The Jews ordained.... that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof"; 1 Esdras 6:34; 2 Esdras 7:17; 8:14 the King James Version; Tobit 1:6; 8:7 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "command"); Additions to Esther 14:9; 1 Maccabees 4:59; 7:49; Acts 16:4 Romans 7:10 the King James Version; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 1 Corinthians 9:14 Ephesians 2:10 the King James Version.

(4) To set apart for an office or duty, appoint, destine: "Being ordained his special governor" (Shakespeare). Frequent in EV. When the King James Version has "ordain" in this sense, the Revised Version (British and American) generally substitutes "appoint"; e.g. "He (Jesus) appointed (the King James Version "ordained") twelve, that they might be with him" (Mark 3:14). So 2 Chronicles 11:15 Jeremiah 1:5 Daniel 2:24; 1 Esdras 8:49; 1 Maccabees 3:55; 10:20; John 15:16 Acts 14:23 1 Timothy 2:7; Titus 1:5 Hebrews 5:1; Hebrews 8:3. The Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "formedst" in The Wisdom of Solomon 9:2, "recorded" in Sirach 48:10, "become" in Acts 1:22, "written of" (margin "set forth") in Jude 1:4, but retains "ordain" in the sense of "appoint," "set apart," in 2 Kings 23:5 1 Chronicles 9:22; 1 Chronicles 1 Esdras 8:23; Additions to Esther 13:6; Acts 10:42; Acts 13:48; Acts 17:31 Romans 13:1.

(5) To appoint ceremonially to the ministerial or priestly office, to confer holy orders on. This later technical or ecclesiastical sense is never found in English Versions of the Bible. The nearest approach is (4) above, but the idea of formal or ceremonial setting-apart to office (prominent in its modern usage) is never implied in the word.

Ordination: The act of arranging in regular order, especially the act of investing with ministerial or sacerdotal rank (ordo), the setting-apart for an office in the Christian ministry. The word does not occur in English Version of the Bible. The New Testament throws but little light on the origin of the later ecclesiastical rite of ordination. The 12 disciples were not set apart by any formal act on the part of Jesus. In Mark 3:14 John 15:16, the King James Version rendering "ordain" is, in view of its modern usage, misleading; nothing more is implied than an appointment or election. In John 20:21-23, we have indeed a symbolic act of consecration ("He breathed on them"), but "the act is described as one and not repeated. The gift was once for all, not to individuals but to the abiding body" (Westcott, at the place). In the Apostolic age there is no trace of the doctrine of an outward rite conferring inward grace, though we have instances of the formal appointment or recognition of those who had already given proof of their spiritual qualification.

(1) The Seven were chosen by the brethren as men already "full of the Spirit and of wisdom," and were then "appointed" by the Twelve, who prayed and laid their hands upon them (Acts 6:1-6).

(2) The call of Barnabas and Saul came direct from God (Acts 13:2, "the work whereunto I have called them"; Acts 13:4, they were "sent forth by the Holy Spirit"). Yet certain prophets and teachers were instructed by the Holy Spirit to "separate" them (i.e. publicly) for their work, which they did by fasting and praying and laying on of hands (Acts 13:3). But it was utterly foreign to Paul's point of view to regard the church's act as constituting him an apostle (compare Galatians 1:1).

(3) Barnabas and Paul are said to have "ordained," the Revised Version (British and American) "appointed" (cheirotonesantes, "elect," "appoint," without indicating the particular mode of appointment), elders or presbyters in every city with prayers and fasting (Acts 14:23). So Titus was instructed by Paul to "appoint elders in every city" in Crete (Titus 1:5).

(4) The gift of Timothy for evangelistic work seems to have been formally recognized in two ways:

(a) by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14),

(b) by the laying on of the hands of Paul himself (2 Timothy 1:6). The words "Lay hands hastily on no man" (1 Timothy 5:22) do not refer to an act of ordination, but probably to the restoration of the penitent. The reference in Hebrews 6:2 is not exclusively to ordination, but to all occasions of laying on of hands (see HANDS, IMPOSITION OF). From the few instances mentioned above (the only ones found in the New Testament), we infer that it was regarded as advisable that persons holding high office in the church should be publicly recognized in some way, as by laying on of hands, fasting, and public prayer. But no great emphasis was laid on this rite, hence, "it can hardly be likely that any essential principle was held to be involved in it" (Hort, The Christian Ecclesia, 216). It was regarded as an outward act of approval, a symbolic offering of intercessory prayer, and an emblem of the solidarity of the Christian community, rather than an indispensable channel of grace for the work of the ministry. (For the later ecclesiastical doctrine and rite see Edwin Hatch's valuable article on "Ordination" in the Dictionary of Christian Antiquity)

D. Miall Edwards

Greek

3549. nomotheteo -- to make law, to ordain by law
... to make law, to ordain by law. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: nomotheteo
Phonetic Spelling: (nom-oth-et-eh'-o) Short Definition: I ordain, enact ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3549.htm - 6k

5021. tasso -- to draw up in order, arrange
... 5021 -- properly, (put in order); to place in a , ; (figuratively) ordain, set
in place; "station" (J. Thayer). ... appoint, determine, ordain, set. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5021.htm - 7k

2680. kataskeuazo -- to prepare
... 2), built (1), construction (1), prepare (3), prepared (4). build, make,
ordain, prepare. From kata and a derivative of skeuos; to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2680.htm - 8k

3724. horizo -- to mark off by boundaries, to determine
... predetermined (1). declare, determine, limit, ordain. From horion; to mark
out or bound ("horizon"), ie (figuratively) to appoint ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3724.htm - 8k

4282. proetoimazo -- to prepare before
... ordain before, prepare afore. From pro and hetoimazo; to fit up in advance (literally
or figuratively) -- ordain before, prepare afore. see GREEK pro. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4282.htm - 7k

4309. proorizo -- to predetermine, foreordain
... determine before, ordain, predestinate. From pro and horizo; to limit in advance,
ie (figuratively) predetermine -- determine before, ordain, predestinate. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4309.htm - 7k

2525. kathistemi -- to set in order, appoint
... render (1), set (1). appoint, be, conduct, make, ordain, set. From kata
and histemi; to place down (permanently), ie (figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2525.htm - 8k

5500. cheirotoneo -- to vote by stretching out the hand, to ...
... Word Origin from cheir and teino (to stretch) Definition to vote by stretching out
the hand, to appoint NASB Word Usage appointed (2). choose, ordain. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5500.htm - 7k

4160. poieo -- to make, do
... gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make,
X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4160.htm - 14k

4929. suntasso -- to arrange (together)
... suntasso Phonetic Spelling: (soon-tas-so) Short Definition: I arrange with, direct,
appoint Definition: I arrange with, direct, appoint, prescribe, ordain. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4929.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

4483. mena -- to number, reckon
... number, ordain, set. (Aramaic) or mnah (Aramaic) {men-aw'}; corresponding to manah;
to count, appoint -- number, ordain, set. see HEBREW manah. 4482b, 4483. ...
/hebrew/4483.htm - 6k

3245. yasad -- to establish, found, fix
... appoint, take counsel, establish, lay the, lay for a foundation, instruct, lay,
ordain,. A primitive root; to set (literally or figuratively ...
/hebrew/3245.htm - 6k

8239. shaphath -- to set (on the fire)
... bring, ordain, set on. A primitive root; to locate, ie (generally) hang on or
(figuratively) establish, reduce -- bring, ordain, set on. 8238, 8239. ...
/hebrew/8239.htm - 6k

6466. paal -- do, make
... commit, evil doer, maker, ordain, worker. A primitive root; to do or make
(systematically and habitually), especially to practise ...
/hebrew/6466.htm - 6k

4390. male -- to be full, to fill
... fullness (1), fully (8), gave in full (1), given fully (1), gratified (1), live
(1), massed (1), messengers (1), mount* (1), mounted (1), ordain* (4), ordained ...
/hebrew/4390.htm - 7k

6965. qum -- to arise, stand up, stand
... continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold,
(help to) lift up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise ...
/hebrew/6965.htm - 7k

5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... intransitive and transitive) -- abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm,
continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over ...
/hebrew/5975.htm - 7k

6186. arak -- to arrange or set in order
... put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem, estimate,
expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle), ordain, (lay, put, reckon up ...
/hebrew/6186.htm - 5k

3559. kun -- to be firm
... sure, proper or prosperous) -- certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion,
fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect ...
/hebrew/3559.htm - 7k

3027. yad -- hand
... means* (3), memorial (1), monument (2), much (1), much as he is able (1), much as
one is able (1), next (2), next* (13), occasion (1), ordain* (4), ordained* (4 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

Library

The Arians Ordain Demophilus after the Death of Eudoxius at ...
... Book IV. Chapter XIV."The Arians ordain Demophilus after the Death of Eudoxius at
Constantinople; but the Orthodox Party constitute Evagrius his Successor. ...
/.../chapter xiv the arians ordain demophilus.htm

If any Bishop Should Ordain for Money, and Put to Sale a Grace ...
... Canon II. If any Bishop should ordain for money, and put to sale a grace
which cannot� If any Bishop should ordain for money, and ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ii if any bishop.htm

How Many Bishops There Should be to Ordain a Bishop.
... Canon XLIX. (Greek liii.) How many bishops there should be to ordain a bishop.
How many bishops there should be to ordain a bishop. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xlix greek liii how.htm

That it be Lawful for the Bishop of Carthage to Ordain a Cleric ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LV. (Greek lix.) That it be lawful for
the bishop of Carthage to ordain a cleric whenever he wishes. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lv greek lix that.htm

That it is not Permitted to Make Superiors of Monasteries nor to ...
... (Greek lxxxiii.) That it is not permitted to make superiors of monasteries nor to
ordain as clerics those who are received from a monastery not one's own. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxxx greek lxxxiii that.htm

It is not Lawful for Chorepiscopi to Ordain Presbyters or Deacons. ...
... Canon XIII. It is not lawful for Chorepiscopi to ordain presbyters or deacons� ... A
chorepiscopus is not to ordain without the consent of the bishop. Hefele. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xiii it is not.htm

The Bishops Assembled at Antioch, on the Refusal of Eusebius of ...
... Chapter X."The Bishops assembled at Antioch, on the Refusal of Eusebius of Emisa
to accept the Bishopric of Alexandria, ordain Gregory, and change the ...
/.../chapter x the bishops assembled at.htm

Of the Same to his Suffragans that they Should not Ordain for ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Of the Same to His Suffragans that They Should Not
Ordain for Money. (Found translated in lib. cit., pp.156 and 157. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/of the same to his.htm

Bishop Hosius Said: if it Happen that in a Province in which There ...
... It is positively not permitted to ordain a bishop in a village or petty town, for
which even one single presbyter is sufficient (for there is no necessity to ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon vi bishop hosius said .htm

Whether Heretics and those who are Cut Off from the Church Can ...
... anyone. But a heretic cannot loose or bind. Neither therefore can he ordain.
Objection ... Sent. iv, D, 25). Therefore he cannot ordain. On ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether heretics and those who.htm

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. t.) To set in order; to arrange according to rule; to regulate; to set; to establish.

2. (v. t.) To regulate, or establish, by appointment, decree, or law; to constitute; to decree; to appoint; to institute.

3. (v. t.) To set apart for an office; to appoint.

4. (v. t.) To invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions; to introduce into the office of the Christian ministry, by the laying on of hands, or other forms; to set apart by the ceremony of ordination.

Thesaurus

Ordain (13 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ORDAIN; ORDINATION. ... (3) To decree, give orders,
prescribe: "And doth the power that man adores Ordain their doom"-Byron. ...
/o/ordain.htm - 19k

Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ORDAIN; ORDINATION. ... (3) To decree, give orders,
prescribe: "And doth the power that man adores Ordain their doom"-Byron. ...
/o/ordination.htm - 19k

Decree (82 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To determine judicially by authority, or by decree; to constitute by edict;
to appoint by decree or law; to determine; to order; to ordain; as, a court ...
/d/decree.htm - 34k

Appoint (114 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To fix by a decree, order, command, resolve, decision, or mutual agreement;
to constitute; to ordain; to prescribe; to fix the time and place of. ...
/a/appoint.htm - 41k

Orchards (7 Occurrences)

/o/orchards.htm - 8k

Bishop (4 Occurrences)
... of this translation. In rendering these words invaria bly by "ordain" the
King James Version shows a vitium originis. No one doubts ...
/b/bishop.htm - 40k

Ordained (70 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Ordain. Multi-Version Concordance
Ordained (70 Occurrences). Matthew 8:4 And Jesus says ...
/o/ordained.htm - 28k

212 (1 Occurrence)
... These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel
the seer did ordain in their office of trust. (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/212.htm - 6k

Order (809 Occurrences)
... 21. (n.) To admit to holy orders; to ordain; to receive into the ranks of the
ministry. 22. (vi) To give orders; to issue commands. Int. ...
/o/order.htm - 48k

Lawgiver (7 Occurrences)
... The primary meaning of the verb from which mechoqeq is derived is "to cut," "to
carve," and a derived meaning is "to ordain." The meaning of the participle ...
/l/lawgiver.htm - 13k

Bible Concordance

Ordain (13 Occurrences)

Acts 17:31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead."
(Root in WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT)

1 Corinthians 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News.
(Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

1 Timothy 5:22 Do not ordain any one hastily; and do not be a partaker in the sins of others; keep *yourself* pure.
(WEY)

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
(KJV WBS)

Exodus 28:41 You shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 29:9 And put the linen bands round Aaron and his sons, and the head-dresses on them, to make them priests by my order for ever: so you are to make Aaron and his sons holy to me.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 29:33 They shall eat those things with which atonement was made, to consecrate and sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat of it, because they are holy.
(See RSV)

Exodus 29:35 And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded thee; seven days shalt thou consecrate them.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 8:33 You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting seven days, until the days of your consecration are fulfilled: for he shall consecrate you seven days.
(See NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 16:7 Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers.
(Root in WEB JPS ASV)

1 Chronicles 17:9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
(KJV WBS)

Isaiah 26:12 Yahweh, you will ordain peace for us, for you have also worked all our works for us.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Subtopics

Ordain

Related Terms

Ordination (12 Occurrences)

Decree (82 Occurrences)

Appoint (114 Occurrences)

Orchards (7 Occurrences)

Bishop (4 Occurrences)

Ordained (70 Occurrences)

212 (1 Occurrence)

Order (809 Occurrences)