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Ordain; Ordination

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Ordain; Ordination in the Bible?

To ordain signifies the formal act of setting apart an individual for a specific religious office or duty, thereby establishing their authority within ecclesiastical structures. This process involves decreeing or appointing a person to a designated role, reflecting the organized hierarchy and social order of the religious community.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the specific historical function of ordination clarifies the source of legitimacy and authority for biblical leaders. It helps readers understand that these roles were not merely informal positions but were established through formal appointment, providing context for the power dynamics and responsibilities described in scripture.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Ordain; Ordination. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Ordain; Ordination in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Ordain; Ordination clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Ordain; Ordination." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ordain-ordination/
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