Topical Encyclopedia
The term "ascribe" in the Bible is often used to denote the act of attributing or assigning a particular quality or characteristic to someone or something. In the context of Scripture, it frequently involves recognizing and declaring the attributes and works of God. The Hebrew word often translated as "ascribe" is "natan," which means to give, set, or assign. In the New Testament, the Greek equivalent is "apodidomi," which carries a similar meaning.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "ascribe" is commonly used in the Psalms and other poetic books to call the faithful to acknowledge God's glory, strength, and righteousness. For example,
Psalm 29:1-2 states, "Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness." Here, the psalmist invites both heavenly beings and the congregation of Israel to recognize and declare the majesty and power of God.
Similarly, in
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 , Moses proclaims, "For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Ascribe greatness to our God! He is the Rock; His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This passage emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's perfect nature and just ways.
New Testament UsageWhile the specific term "ascribe" is less frequently used in the New Testament, the concept is present in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The New Testament continues the theme of attributing glory and honor to God. For instance, in
Revelation 4:11 , the heavenly hosts declare, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." This passage reflects the eternal recognition of God's sovereignty and creative power.
Theological SignificanceThe act of ascribing attributes to God is not merely a verbal acknowledgment but a profound expression of worship and reverence. It involves recognizing God's inherent qualities and His mighty acts throughout history. Ascribing glory to God is a central aspect of worship, as it aligns the believer's heart with the truth of God's nature and His rightful place as Creator and Sustainer of all things.
In the broader biblical narrative, ascribing attributes to God serves as a reminder of His covenantal faithfulness and the call for His people to live in obedience and gratitude. It is an act that fosters a deeper understanding of God's character and encourages believers to reflect His attributes in their own lives.
Practical ApplicationFor believers today, the practice of ascribing glory and honor to God can be incorporated into daily life through prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture. By intentionally recognizing God's attributes and works, Christians can cultivate a heart of gratitude and deepen their relationship with Him. This practice also serves as a witness to others, demonstrating the transformative power of acknowledging God's rightful place in the world and in individual lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To attribute, impute, assign as a cause; as, his death was ascribed to a poison; to ascribe an effect to the right cause; to ascribe such a book to such an author.
2. (v. t.) To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to consider or allege to belong.
Greek
1392. doxazo -- to render or esteem glorious (in a wide...... Cognate: 1392 (from 1391 , "glory") -- ; properly, to
ascribe by recognizing
real (). See 1391 (). "(1392 ) " means valuing Him for who .
...Strong's Hebrew
5414. nathan -- to give, put, set... abandon (1), add (1), added (1), allow (14), allowed (3), applied (1), appoint
(5), appointed (15), apportion (1), appropriated (1),
ascribe (2), ascribed (2
...3051. yahab -- to give
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to give NASB Word Usageascribe (10), choose
(1), come (4), give (15), here (1), place (1), provide (1)....
8567. tanah -- perhaps recount, rehearse
... A primitive root (identical with tanah through the idea of attributing honor); to
ascribe (praise), ie Celebrate, commemorate -- lament, rehearse....
Library
Ye Saints on EarthAscribe with Heav'ns High Host,
... GLORIA PATRIA. Hymn 107 Ye saints on earthascribe with heav'ns high host,. John
Newton 10,10,10,10. Ye saints on earthascribe with heav'ns high host,....
NaasseniAscribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the...
... Book V. Chapter II."NaasseniAscribe Their System, Through Mariamne, to James the
Lord's Brother; Really Traceable to the Ancient Mysteries; Their Psychology...
To those who Object that Catholics, when theyAscribe Godhead to...
... Book III. Chapter XIII. To those who object that Catholics, when they
ascribe Godhead to the Holy Spirit? To those who object...
The Hypostatic Union Enables us toAscribe to God what Belongs to...
... Book VI. Chapter XXII. The hypostatic union enables us toascribe to God
what belongs to the flesh in Christ. How then is Christ...
How we are to Explain the Passages of Scripture whichAscribe to...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book II. Chapter XVI."How We are to Explain the
Passages of Scripture WhichAscribe to God Human Affections....
Rule for Interpreting Phrases which Seem toAscribe Severity to...
... Book III. Chapter 11."Rule for Interpreting Phrases Which Seem toAscribe Severity
to God and the Saints. 17. Every severity, therefore...
About the Most Mendacious Vanity of the Egyptians, in which they...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 40."About the Most Mendacious Vanity of the Egyptians, in Which
TheyAscribe to Their Science an Antiquity of a Hundred Thousand Years....
What Apuleius Attributes to the Demons, to Whom, Though He Does...
... Book IX. Chapter 3."What Apuleius Attributes to the Demons, to Whom, Though
He Does Not Deny Them Reason, He Does NotAscribe Virtue....
How to Preach the Gospel.
... I. That several passages of Scriptureascribe conversion to men. II. That this is
consistent with other passages whichascribe conversion to God. III....
Other Beings Besides God are in Scripture Called God this...
... alone eternal, and the maker of all things"it is not to its name, but its state,
not to its designation, but its condition, that Iascribe and appropriate...
Thesaurus
Ascribe (13 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To attribute, impute, assign as a cause; as, his death was ascribed to a
poison; to
ascribe an effect to the right cause; to
ascribe such a book to
...Kindreds (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). 1 Chronicles 16:28Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples,
Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength; (ASV JPS WBS)....
Ascribed (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofAscribe. Multi-Version Concordance
Ascribed (7 Occurrences). Matthew 9:8 And the crowds...
Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... 25 still another heading occurs: "These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the
men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out." All theseascribe the proverbs to...
Nightmonster
... On general grounds of common-sense we should notascribe conscious and deliberate
mythology to writers or speakers of the Bible in passages marked by...
Night-monster
... On general grounds of common-sense we should notascribe conscious and deliberate
mythology to writers or speakers of the Bible in passages marked by...
Beings (42 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 29:1 A Psalm by David.Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of the
mighty,ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength. (See RSV)....
Splendor (87 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). 1 Chronicles 16:29Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name.... (See
NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 29:2Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name....
Due (93 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). 1 Chronicles 16:29Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name.... (See
RSV). Psalms 29:2Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name....
Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... God. When weascribe Godhead to a being, therefore, we affirm that all
that enters into the idea of God belongs to Him. "Godhead...
Resources
What does it mean to glorify God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Ugaritic, and what does it have to do with the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to praise the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgAscribe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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