Appoint

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

The Old Testament . The basic meaning of "appoint" is either "visit" or "establish or set in authority." The extension of visit carries the idea of appointment, meaning to set in place (as a time, place, or event). The theological importance focuses on the appointing, consecrating, or commissioning of persons for special service to the Lord and his people. It can also carry implications for God's providence or the establishment of laws or principles.

Consecration for Service Consecration is a special type of appointment. Four examples can be noted: (1) the consecration of Aaron and his sons (  Exodus 28-29 ); (2) the appointment of Levites as servants of God ( Numbers 3-8 ); (3) the naming of seventy elders to assist Moses ( Numbers 11,24-25 ); and (4) the commissioning of Moses' successor ( Numbers 27 ).

The appointment of the seventy to assist Moses was at God's initiative. Their ordination involved standing with Moses to receive the Spirit that rested upon Moses ( Numbers 11:17-25 ). Joshua's ordination consisted of receiving commissioning while standing before the priest and the congregation ( Numbers 27:18-23 ). Moses laid his hand on Joshua as a symbol of the transference of authority.

Of primary significance is the ordination of Aaron and the Levites. Aaron and his sons alone were to serve as priests ( Exodus 28:1 ), to offer sacrifices ( Numbers 8:1-7 ), and to bless the people ( Numbers 6:22-27 ). Aaron was anointed ( Leviticus 8:12 ) and the special vestments previewed those worn by preexilic monarchs (see  Exodus 28 ). Because it marked the beginning of the priesthood in Israel, the consecration of Aaron to this office was of special significance. The entire event and its accompanying instructions were completely detailed.

As an extension of the appointment of Aaron and his sons, they were to bless the people ( Numbers 6:22-27 ). In reality, it is God's own blessing of his people. God himself commanded Aaron and his sons to place the Lord's name on the Israelites (6:27).

The Synoptic Gospels Foundational to the understanding of "appoint" in the New Testament is Jesus' statement about the kingdom that he has appointed to his followers (  Luke 9-10 ). The New Testament practice is often associated with the laying on of hands.

Jesus appointed twelve disciples to be with him and that he could send out to preach ( Mark 3:14 ). The Great Commission was given on the basis of Jesus' authority ( Matthew 28:18-20 ). The One who appointed the kingdom to Jesus, who granted him authority, was God the Father Almighty.

Acts Matthias was appointed by the casting of lots to replace Judas among the Twelve (1:12-26). Most significant is the reference to Barnabas and Paul and their appointment of elders in every church after prayer and fasting (14:23).

At the conclusion of the first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas established leadership in the new congregations. There remains a question in  Acts 14:23 regarding who appointed the elders—the apostles or the congregation. The most natural reading of the passage suggests that Paul and Barnabas did. Perhaps in these settings the apostles' wisdom was necessary to establish leadership, though the apostles' selection may have been confirmed by vote of the congregations (see also   Titus 1:5 ).

In  Acts 26:16 Paul recounts his experience with the risen Christ. God appointed or placed Paul into service. The statement is extremely forceful, offering the mental picture of God picking up Paul and pointing him in the divinely intended direction.

David S. Dockery

King James Dictionary

APPOINT',

1. To fix to settle to establish to make fast.

When he appointed the foundations of the earth.  Proverbs 8 .

2. To constitute, ordain, or fix by decree, order or decision.

Let Pharoah appoint officers over the land.  Genesis 41 .

He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world.  Acts 17 .

3. To allot, assign or designate.

Aaron and his sons shall appoint every one to his service.  Numbers 4 .

These cities were appointed for all the children of Israel.  Joshua 20 .

4. To purpose or resolve to fix the intention.

For so he had appointed.  Acts 20 .

5. To ordain, command or order.

Thy servants are ready to do whatever my Lord the King shall appoint.  2 Samuel 15 .

6. To settle to fix, name or determine by agreement as, they appointed a time and place for the meeting.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (v. t.) To direct, designate, or limit; to make or direct a new disposition of, by virtue of a power contained in a conveyance; - said of an estate already conveyed.

(2): (v. t.) To point at by way, or for the purpose, of censure or commendation; to arraign.

(3): (v. t.) To fix with power or firmness; to establish; to mark out.

(4): (v. t.) To fix by a decree, order, command, resolve, decision, or mutual agreement; to constitute; to ordain; to prescribe; to fix the time and place of.

(5): (v. t.) To assign, designate, or set apart by authority.

(6): (v. t.) To furnish in all points; to provide with everything necessary by way of equipment; to equip; to fit out.

(7): (v. i.) To ordain; to determine; to arrange.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a - point ´: This word is used for the expression of a large variety of ideas and the translation of almost as many words.

נקב , nāḳabh = "stipulate" ( Genesis 30:28 ). פּקד , pāḳadh = "put into office" ( Genesis 41:34;  Numbers 1:50;  Esther 2:3 ); "select" ( Jeremiah 51:27 ); "put in charge" ( Jeremiah 49:19;  Jeremiah 50:44 ); "assign" ( Numbers 4:27;  Jeremiah 15:3 ); "send" ( Leviticus 26:16 ); "designate," "select" ( Exodus 21:13;  Numbers 4:19;  2 Samuel 7:10;  Isaiah 61:3 ); "single out" ( 1 Samuel 8:11 ,  1 Samuel 8:12;  Hosea 1:11 ). נתן , nāthan = "designate," "select" ( Numbers 35:6 the King James Version;   Joshua 20:2 the King James Version;   Ezekiel 45:6 ); "set aside" ( Exodus 30:16 ). שׁית , shı̄th = "designate," "select" ( Job 14:13;  Isaiah 26:1 ). So also עמד , ‛āmadh ( 1 Chronicles 15:16;  Nehemiah 7:3 ); so שׁלח , shālaḥ ( 1 Kings 5:9 ); קרה , ḳārāh ( Numbers 35:11 ). צוה , cāwāh = "choose" ( 2 Samuel 6:21 ). בּחר , bāḥar = "select" ( 2 Samuel 15:15 the King James Version). אמר , 'āmar = "command" ( 1 Kings 5:6 the King James Version). τίθημι , tı́thēmi = "designate," "select" ( Matthew 24:51;  Luke 12:46 ). A careful reading of the above passages will bring to mind the doctrine that with reference to the world's work, God Himself calls men into office, selecting them from among the multitude and setting them aside for His special purposes; and that He calls to His assistance not only men but also events and forces of Nature ( Leviticus 26:16 ).