Ordain

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: τίθημι (Strong'S #5087 — Verb — tithemi — tith'-ay-mee )

to put: see Appoint , No. 3.

2: καθίστημι (Strong'S #2525 — Verb — kathistemi — kath-is'-tay-mee )

from kata, "down," or "over against," and histemi, "to cause to stand, to set," is translated "to ordain" in the Av of  Titus 1:5;  Hebrews 5:1;  8:3 . See Appoint , No. 2.

3: τάσσω (Strong'S #5021 — Verb — tasso — tas'-so )

is translated "to ordain," in  Acts 13:48;  Romans 13:1 . See Appoint. No. 5

4: διατάσσω (Strong'S #1299 — Verb — diatasso — dee-at-as'-so )

is translated "to ordain" in  1 Corinthians 7:17;  9:14;  Galatians 3:19 , the last in the sense of "administered." Cp. diatage, under Disposition. See Appoint. No. 6.

5: ὁρίζω (Strong'S #3724 — Verb — horizo — hor-id'-zo )

is twice used of Christ as Divinely "ordained" to be the Judge of men,  Acts 10:42;  17:31 . See Determine , No. 2.

6: κρίνω (Strong'S #2919 — Verb — krino — kree'-no )

"to divide, separate, decide, judge," is translated "ordained" in  Acts 16:4 , of the decrees by the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem. See Judge.

 1 Corinthians 2:7Determine Mark 3:14 Hebrews 9:6Prepare.  Acts 14:23Appoint Ephesians 2:10Prepare.  Jude 1:4 Acts 1:22 Romans 7:10

Morrish Bible Dictionary

In the O.T. there are eleven words so translated, with a variety of meanings and applications. God ordained the moon and the stars.  Psalm 8:3 . Jeroboam ordained priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.  2 Chronicles 11:15 . None of God's priests or prophets were ordained, in the sense now understood by that word, as inducting into some spiritual place, with power and authority imparted by man. In  Jeremiah 1:5 , where God said to the prophet, "I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations," the word translated 'ordained' is nathan, which means simply 'to give,' as in the margin. See also  2 Kings 23:5 .

In the N.T. there are ten words translated 'ordain.' The passages that might seem to have some reference to the impartation of a sacerdotal supremacy are:

1. Christ ordained his twelve apostles.   Mark 3:14 . Here the word is ποιέω, 'to do, make.'

2. Matthias was ordained to take the place of Judas,   Acts 1:22 : γίγνομαι, 'to become.'

3. Paul ordained elders in every city,   Acts 14:23 : χειροτονέω, 'to appoint by stretching out the hand:' this is translated 'chosen' in  2 Corinthians 8:19 .

4. Paul said, "I am ordained a preacher and an apostle,"   1 Timothy 2:7 : τίθημι, 'to put, place:' cf.  John 15:16 .

5. Elders ordained, and high priests ordained,   Titus 1:5;  Hebrews 5:1;  Hebrews 8:3 : καθίστημι, 'toplace, appoint.' The meanings of the Greek words show that, though elders were appointed by the apostles and were called 'bishops,' there was no sacerdotal power conveyed thereby, nor was any authority to continue such appointments handeddown.

King James Dictionary

Orda'In, L. ordino, from ordo, order.

1. Properly, to set to establish in a particular office or order hence, to invest with a ministerial function or sacerdotal power to introduce and establish or settle in the pastoral office with the customary forms and solemnities as, to ordain a minister of the gospel. In America, men are ordained over a particular church and congregation, or as evangelists without the charge of a particular church, or as deacons in the episcopal church. 2. To appoint to decree.

Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month.  1 Kings 12 .

As many as were ordained to eternal life, believed.

 Acts 13 .

3. To set to establish to institute to constitute.

Mulmutius ordained our laws.

4. To set apart for an office to appoint.

Jesus ordained twelve that they should be with him.  Mark 3 .

5. To appoint to prepare.

For Tophet is ordained of old.  Isaiah 30 .

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

Though a common word in the traditional language of the church, ‘ordain’ is not common in the Bible. It is not present at all in most modern versions. The word usually means ‘appoint’, as for example when Jesus appointed apostles ( Mark 3:13-14;  John 15:16; see Apostle), and the apostles appointed church leaders ( Acts 6:3;  Acts 6:6;  Acts 14:23; see Deacon; Elder).

People were not to make such appointments hastily. They had to have confidence that those appointed possessed the God-given gifts for the tasks, and they expressed that confidence through the ceremony of laying on hands ( Acts 6:6;  1 Timothy 4:14;  1 Timothy 5:22; see Laying On Of Hands).

Webster's Dictionary

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

(2): ( 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.

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

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

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

See Appoint