Ordinance
TextsWhat is the meaning of Ordinance in the Bible?
The term 'ordinance' refers to religious statutes and rituals in the Old Testament, derived from Hebrew concepts of prescribed observance, and to official decrees or established institutions in the New Testament, corresponding to Greek terms for edicts.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this distinction helps readers differentiate between enduring moral laws and specific ceremonial or civic regulations, thereby clarifying how ancient Israelite and early Christian communities organized their worship and societal structures under divine authority.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Ordinance functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ordinance in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ordinance clarify?
Related Topics
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
"Ordinance." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ordinance/