The term "constitute" refers to the act of establishing, forming, or appointing something or someone to a particular role or function. In the context of the Bible, this concept is often seen in the establishment of covenants, the appointment of leaders, and the formation of the Church and its practices.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of constituting is evident in God's establishment of covenants with His people. For example, God constituted the covenant with Abraham, promising to make him the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5). This covenant was a foundational moment, setting apart Abraham and his descendants as God's chosen people.

The appointment of leaders is another aspect of constituting seen in the Old Testament. Moses, for instance, was constituted as the leader of the Israelites to deliver them from Egypt (Exodus 3:10). Similarly, the establishment of the Levitical priesthood was a divine constitution, setting apart Aaron and his sons for the service of the tabernacle (Exodus 28:1).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of constituting is central to the formation of the Church. Jesus Christ constituted the twelve apostles, appointing them to preach the Gospel and establish the early Church (Mark 3:14). This act of constituting was foundational for the spread of Christianity and the establishment of church leadership.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the constituting of spiritual gifts within the Church, emphasizing that God has appointed different roles and functions to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:28). This divine constitution ensures that the Church operates effectively, with each member contributing to its mission.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of constituting underscores God's sovereignty and authority in establishing His purposes on earth. Whether through covenants, leadership, or spiritual gifts, God's act of constituting is a demonstration of His divine order and plan for humanity. It reflects His intentional design for His people to live in accordance with His will, fulfilling their roles within His kingdom.

Biblical Examples

1. Covenants: God's covenant with Noah after the flood, constituting a promise never to destroy the earth with water again (Genesis 9:11).

2. Leadership: The appointment of Joshua as Moses' successor, constituting him as the leader to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:23).

3. Church Formation: The constituting of elders in the early Church, as seen in Paul's instructions to Titus to appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5).

The concept of constituting in the Bible highlights the intentional and purposeful actions of God in establishing His covenant people, appointing leaders, and forming the Church to fulfill His divine will.1. (v. t.) To cause to stand; to establish; to enact.

2. (v. t.) To make up; to compose; to form.

3. (v. t.) To appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower.

4. (n.) An established law.

2525. kathistemi -- to set in order, appoint
... kath-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I set, establish, appoint, conduct Definition:
I set down, bring down to a place; I set in order, appoint, make, constitute ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2525.htm - 8k

4921. sunistemi and sunistano -- to commend, establish, stand near ...
... ie (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit;
intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to constitute -- approve, commend ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4921.htm - 8k

5537. chrematizo -- to transact business, to make answer
... to utter an oracle (compare the original sense of chraomai), ie Divinely intimate;
by implication, (compare the secular sense of chreia) to constitute a firm ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5537.htm - 8k

1069. bakar -- to bear new fruit, to constitute as first-born
... 1068, 1069. bakar. 1070 . to bear new fruit, to constitute as first-born.
Transliteration: bakar Phonetic Spelling: (baw-kar') Short Definition: firstborn. ...
/hebrew/1069.htm - 6k

4487. manah -- to count, number, reckon
... A primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute
officially; also to enumerate or enroll -- appoint, count, number, prepare, set ...
/hebrew/4487.htm - 6k

6680. tsavah -- to lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command ...
... A primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin -- appoint, (for-)bid, (give
a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger ...
/hebrew/6680.htm - 6k

How Two Natures Constitute the Person of the Mediator.
... GOSPEL. CHAPTER 14. HOW TWO NATURES CONSTITUTE THE PERSON OF THE MEDIATOR.
HOW TWO NATURES CONSTITUTE THE PERSON OF THE MEDIATOR. This ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 how two natures.htm

To Enter into a Full Examination, as to what Would Constitute ...
... Section 5. To enter into a full examination, as to what would constitute
sufficient grounds for? 5. To enter into a full examination ...
/.../jerram/thoughts on a revelation/section 5 to enter into.htm

The Unity of Revelation. 1 "Known unto God are all his Works from ...
... THE UNITY OF REVELATION. 1. "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning
of the world;" and therefore they constitute together a self-consistent whole. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvi the unity of.htm

Here, Perhaps, Some one Inquires Whether the Authors Whose ...
... Book 4 Chapter 9. Here, perhaps, some one inquires whether the authors
whose divinely-inspired writings constitute the canon? ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 9 here perhaps some.htm

And if the Working Properties, which Constitute the Life of ...
... [Way-3-27] And if the working properties, which constitute the life of eternal
nature? And if the working properties, which constitute ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-27 and if the working.htm

The Names and Descent of Other ??ons; First Half a Score, Then Two ...
... Chapter VIII."The Names and Descent of Other ??ons; First Half a Score, Then Two
More, and Ultimately a Dozen Besides. These Thirty Constitute the Pleroma. ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter viii the names and descent.htm

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

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... I would never for one moment grant to any man that the ministers of the
gospel constitute the church. If you speak of the army, the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

The Ten virgins and the Entrusted Talents.
... Both historically and logically the two parables, of the ten virgins and of the
talents, are connected and constitute a group: in place they are contiguous ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/the ten virgins and the.htm

Whether the Persons are Distinguished by the Relations?
... if what is common to them all is divided, because the common essence remains undivided;
but the distinguishing principles themselves must constitute the things ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the persons are distinguished.htm

Constitute (4 Occurrences)
...Constitute (4 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Galatians 2:18 For if the things I have thrown
down, these I build again, I constitute myself a transgressor. (DBY). ...
/c/constitute.htm - 7k

Make (12882 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To cause to be or become; to put into a given state verb, or adjective;
to constitute; as, to make known; to make public; to make fast. 11. ...
/m/make.htm - 22k

Cherubim (63 Occurrences)
... the whole earth is full of his glory." In the Book of Enoch, the cherubim, seraphim,
and ophannim (wheels), and all the angels of power constitute the "host of ...
/c/cherubim.htm - 40k

Maker (55 Occurrences)
... tithemi, kathistemi): 1. As Used in the Old Testament: "Make" is a frequently used
word, meaning "to create," "construct," "cause," "constitute," etc., and ...
/m/maker.htm - 35k

Suit (15 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Things that follow in a series or succession; the individual objects,
collectively considered, which constitute a series, as of rooms, buildings ...
/s/suit.htm - 12k

Kings (350 Occurrences)
... of Historical Data: These books contain a large amount of authentic data, and, along
with the other books of this group which constitute a contemporaneous ...
/k/kings.htm - 61k

Consternation (8 Occurrences)

/c/consternation.htm - 8k

Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... with "power," Paul no doubt intimates that his mind is resting especially upon those
qualities which enter most intimately into and constitute the exaltation ...
/g/godhead.htm - 22k

Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... Temptations encountered in this way, the way of duty, the way of the Spirit, alone
constitute the true challenge of saintship (James 1:12); but it is the mark ...
/t/temptation.htm - 30k

History (57 Occurrences)
... and Elisha. Much less the deeds of man than the deeds of God in the midst
of His people constitute theme of the narrators. These ...
/h/history.htm - 67k

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