In biblical terms, the concept of "appropriated" often refers to the act of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission. However, within the context of Scripture, it can also denote the idea of God assigning or designating something for a specific purpose or use. This can be seen in various aspects of biblical teaching, where God appropriates certain things for His divine purposes.

Divine Appropriation

Throughout the Bible, God appropriates individuals, nations, and resources to fulfill His divine will. For instance, God appropriated the nation of Israel as His chosen people. In Deuteronomy 7:6 , it is written, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth." Here, God designates Israel for a special relationship and purpose, setting them apart from other nations.

Appropriation of Land

The appropriation of land is a significant theme in the Bible. God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants, a promise reiterated to Isaac and Jacob. In Genesis 12:7 , God tells Abram, "To your offspring I will give this land." This divine appropriation of land underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to allocate resources according to His plans.

Spiritual Appropriation

In the New Testament, the concept of appropriation takes on a spiritual dimension. Believers are called to appropriate the promises of God through faith. This is evident in the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who emphasizes the believer's inheritance in Christ. In Ephesians 1:11 , Paul writes, "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will." Here, the appropriation is not of physical land or resources but of spiritual blessings and identity in Christ.

Appropriation of Righteousness

The doctrine of imputed righteousness can also be seen as a form of appropriation. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are appropriated the righteousness of Christ. This is articulated in 2 Corinthians 5:21 : "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This divine exchange is a central tenet of Christian theology, where Christ's righteousness is appropriated to the believer, allowing them to stand justified before God.

Appropriation in Worship

The appropriation of certain practices and elements in worship is also evident in Scripture. The Old Testament details specific instructions for worship, sacrifices, and the use of the Tabernacle and Temple. These elements were appropriated by God for the purpose of worship and communion with Him. In the New Testament, the appropriation of the Lord's Supper is a significant act of worship, as believers partake in the bread and wine in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

In summary, the concept of appropriation in the Bible encompasses God's sovereign designation of people, land, spiritual blessings, and practices for His divine purposes. It highlights the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, as believers are called to appropriate God's promises through faith and obedience.(imp. & p. p.) of Appropriate.5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... NASB Word Usage abandon (1), add (1), added (1), allow (14), allowed (3), applied
(1), appoint (5), appointed (15), apportion (1), appropriated (1), ascribe (2 ...
/hebrew/5414.htm - 9k

Whether the Essential Names Should be Appropriated to the Persons?
... OF THE PERSONS IN RELATION TO THE ESSENCE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the essential
names should be appropriated to the persons? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the essential names should.htm

Whether the Essential Attributes are Appropriated to the Persons ...
... OF THE PERSONS IN RELATION TO THE ESSENCE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the essential
attributes are appropriated to the persons in a fitting manner by the holy ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the essential attributes are.htm

Of the Evil of Lust, --A Word Which, Though Applicable to Many ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 16."Of the Evil of Lust,"A Word Which, Though Applicable to
Many Vices, is Specially Appropriated to Sexual Uncleanness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of the evil of.htm

Whether the Articles of Faith are Suitably Formulated?
... just as certain things are said by appropriation, of the Person of the Father and
of the Person of the Holy Ghost, so too is something appropriated to the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the articles of faith 2.htm

Whether to Create is Proper to any Person?
... Objection 3: Further, if it be said that the causation of the creature flows from
some essential attribute appropriated to some one Person, this does not ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether to create is proper.htm

Whether the Trinity of the Divine Persons Can be Known by Natural ...
... none of the princes of the world""-ie the philosophers"-"knew" (1:Cor.2:6).
Nevertheless, they knew some of the essential attributes appropriated to the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the trinity of the.htm

Whether Modesty is a Part of Temperance?
... Reply to Objection 1: When a name is common to many it is sometimes appropriated
to those of the lowest rank; thus the common name of angel is appropriated to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether modesty is a part.htm

Whether the Sin against the Holy Ghost is the Same as the Sin ...
... others understand it differently, and say that the sin of blasphemy against the
Holy Ghost, is a sin committed against that good which is appropriated to the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sin against the.htm

Feeding Upon Christ.
... Others affirm that his language is parabolic, and that he means that the emblems
that represent his body and blood must be appropriated. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/feeding upon christ.htm

Whether any Gifts Should be Assigned as Dowry to the Blessed?
... Nevertheless, although this endowment is made by all the Persons, it may
be in a manner appropriated to each Person. To the Person ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether any gifts should be.htm

Appropriated (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Appropriate. Multi-Version Concordance
Appropriated (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 36:5 therefore ...
/a/appropriated.htm - 7k

Appropriate (19 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To set apart for, or assign to, a particular person or use, in exclusion
of all others; -- with to or for; as, a spot of ground is appropriated for a ...
/a/appropriate.htm - 12k

Synagogue (52 Occurrences)
... eyes of all them that are in the synagogue' may `be fastened' on him who speaks
(Luke 4:20); the `chief seats' (Matthew 23:6) which were appropriated to the ...
/s/synagogue.htm - 50k

Semites
... Because the Hebrews took over eventually the language of the Phoenician, appropriated
his art and conveniences, did traffic in his ships, and in Ahab's reign ...
/s/semites.htm - 27k

Semitic
... Because the Hebrews took over eventually the language of the Phoenician, appropriated
his art and conveniences, did traffic in his ships, and in Ahab's reign ...
/s/semitic.htm - 28k

Joash (49 Occurrences)
... expense of its restoration, the king gave orders that all moneys coming into the
temple, whether dues or voluntary offerings, should be appropriated for this ...
/j/joash.htm - 41k

Jackal (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One who does mean work for another's advantage, as jackals were once thought
to kill game which lions appropriated. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/j/jackal.htm - 15k

Library
... 2. (n.) A building or apartment appropriated for holding such a collection of books.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NINEVEH, LIBRARY OF. I. THE DISCOVERY II. ...
/l/library.htm - 16k

Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... At first "-hede" appears to have been appropriated to adjectives, "-hod" to
substantives; but, this distinction breaking down and the forms coming into ...
/g/godhead.htm - 22k

Greeks (22 Occurrences)
... of the spread of Hellenism, the term Hellenes was applied not only to such as were
of Hellenic descent, but also to all those who had appropriated the language ...
/g/greeks.htm - 19k

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