Topical Encyclopedia
Consecration is a significant biblical concept that denotes the act of setting apart a person, place, or object for the service and worship of God. This act is deeply rooted in the understanding of holiness and dedication to the divine purpose. Throughout the Scriptures, consecration is portrayed as both a divine initiative and a human response, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, consecration is often associated with the priesthood, the tabernacle, and the temple. The Hebrew word for consecration, "qadash," implies making something holy or setting it apart for sacred use. The consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests is a prominent example. In
Exodus 29:1, God commands Moses, "This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so that they may serve Me as priests." The process involved sacrifices, washing, anointing, and the wearing of sacred garments, symbolizing purification and dedication to God's service.
The consecration of the tabernacle and its furnishings is another key aspect. In
Exodus 40:9, God instructs Moses, "Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy." This act signified that the tabernacle was set apart as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of consecration extends to the life of every believer. Through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, believers are called to live consecrated lives.
Romans 12:1 exhorts, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This verse highlights the call for Christians to dedicate their entire being to God, living in a manner that reflects His holiness.
The consecration of Jesus Himself is a central theme in the New Testament. In
John 17:19, Jesus prays, "For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth." Here, Jesus sets Himself apart for the purpose of redeeming humanity, demonstrating the ultimate act of consecration.
Consecration in Worship and Daily LifeConsecration is not limited to specific rituals or ceremonies but is a continuous aspect of worship and daily living. Believers are encouraged to consecrate their hearts and actions to God, seeking to align their lives with His will. In
2 Timothy 2:21, Paul writes, "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." This passage underscores the importance of personal holiness and readiness for God's service.
Symbolism and SignificanceThe symbolism of consecration is rich throughout the Bible. It often involves elements such as anointing oil, sacrifices, and the laying on of hands, each representing aspects of purification, dedication, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. The anointing oil, for instance, is a symbol of the Holy Spirit's presence and the setting apart of individuals for divine purposes.
Consecration is a profound expression of the believer's relationship with God, reflecting a commitment to live according to His statutes and purposes. It is both a privilege and a responsibility, calling for a life marked by holiness, obedience, and devotion to the Lord.
Topical Bible Verses
Deuteronomy 18:18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brothers, like to you, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.
Topicalbible.orgMatthew 11:11
Truly I say to you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD your God will raise up to you a Prophet from the middle of you, of your brothers, like to me; to him you shall listen;
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Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said to him.
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Genesis 17:25
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
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Smith's Bible Dictionary
Consecration[PRIEST]
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service of God. The race of Abraham and the tribe of Levi were thus consecrated (
Exodus 13:2, 12, 15;
Numbers 3:12). The Hebrews devoted their fields and cattle, and sometimes the spoils of war, to the Lord (
Leviticus 27:28, 29). According to the Mosaic law the first-born both of man and beast were consecrated to God.
In the New Testament, Christians are regarded as consecrated to the Lord (1 Peter 2:9).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The act or ceremony of consecrating; the state of being consecrated; dedication.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CONSECRATE; CONSECRATIONkon'-se-krat, kon-se-kra'-shun.
1. In the Old Testament:
In the Old Testament for several Hebrew words of different meanings:
(1) charam: "I will consecrate (the Revised Version (British and American) "devote") their gain unto the Lord," i.e. the spoil of the nations shall be dedicated to the service of Yahweh (Micah 4:13).
SeeBAN;CURSE.
(2) nazar, nezer (Numbers 6:7, 9, 12; the Revised Version (British and American) "separate").
SeeNAZIRITE.
(3) qadhesh: "to be set apart," or "to be holy": of Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:3;Exodus 30:30; the Revised Version (British and American) "sanctify"). The silver and gold and brass and iron of the banned city of Jericho are "consecrated" things (the Revised Version (British and American) "holy") unto the Lord (Joshua 6:19); of the priests (2 Chronicles 26:18); of sacrifices (2 Chronicles 29:33;2 Chronicles 31:6Ezra 3:5).
SeeHOLINESS.
(4) mille' yadh, literally, "to fill the hand"; and substantive plural millu'im, a peculiar idiom used frequently and generally for the installation of a priest into his office; and substantive for the installation offerings which were probably put into the priest's hands to symbolize his admission into office; hence, the phrase, "and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons" (Exodus 29:9;Exodus 28:41;Exodus 29:29:33, 15; 32:29:00;Leviticus 8:33;Leviticus 16:32;Leviticus 21:10Numbers 3:3Judges 17:5, 122 Chronicles 29:31); of Jeroboam's non-Levitical priesthood (1 Kings 13:332 Chronicles 13:9); of the altar (Ezekiel 43:26) and of those who contributed to build the temple (1 Chronicles 29:5). Subst. of an act of installation (Leviticus 7:37;Leviticus 8:33), and of installation offerings (Exodus 29:22, 26, 27, 31Leviticus 8:22, 28, 29, 31).
2. In the New Testament:
In the New Testament teleioo, "to make perfect" (Hebrews 7:28; the Revised Version (British and American) "perfected"); egkainizo, "to make new" (Hebrews 10:20; the Revised Version (British and American) "dedicated").
T. Rees
Greek
38. hagiasmos --consecration, sanctification...consecration, sanctification. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
hagiasmos Phonetic Spelling: (hag-ee-as-mos') Short Definition: sanctification
...3741. hosios -- righteous, pious, holy
... character; thus distinguished from dikaios, which refers rather to human statutes
and relations; from hieros, which denotes formalconsecration; and from hagios...
2129. eulogia -- praise, blessing
... speaking, ie Elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), ie (reverentially)
adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication,consecration; by extension...
1181. dekate -- a tenth part, a tithe
... part, a tithe. 1181 -- properly, a (a tenth part), a tithe; (figuratively)
"the part" , ieconsecration (totality). Word Origin...
2379. thusiasterion -- an altar
... 2379 -- ; (figuratively) the ; (figuratively) the "place" ofconsecration,
where the Lord meets and communes with the sincere believer....
Strong's Hebrew
5145. nezer --consecration, crown, Naziriteship...consecration, crown, Naziriteship. Transliteration: nezer or nezer Phonetic Spelling:
(neh'-zer) Short Definition: crown.
...consecration, crown, hair, separation.
...2598. chanukkah -- dedication,consecration
... 2597, 2598. chanukkah. 2599 . dedication,consecration. Transliteration: chanukkah
Phonetic Spelling: (khan-ook-kaw') Short Definition: dedication....
4394. millu -- setting, installation
... Word Origin from male Definition setting, installation NASB Word Usage inlaid (1),
ordination (8), ordination offering (3), setting (3).consecration, be set....
2597. chanukkah -- dedication
... dedication. (Aramaic) corresponding to chanukkah;consecration -- dedication. see
HEBREW chanukkah. 2596, 2597. chanukkah. 2598 . Strong's Numbers.
6942. qadash -- to be set apart or consecrated
... NASB Word Usage become consecrated (2), become defiled (1), become holy (1), consecrate
(43), consecrated (35), consecrates (7),consecration (2), declare holy...
Library
Consecration
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCHConsecration. 10,10,10,10Consecration.
Lord, I am Thine, for Thou hast died for me; Thy claim...
Consecration
...CONSECRATION. "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer
so willingly after this sort?...Consecration is a miracle of grace....
Consecration Complete
... IIConsecration Complete. 'Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service.' (Romans 12:1.)....
TheConsecration of Joy
... THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS THECONSECRATION OF JOY. 'And the Lord spake unto Moses,
saying, 34.... The feast of tabernacles was theconsecration of joy....
Consecration: what is It?
... CHAPTER XII.CONSECRATION: WHAT IS IT? The second step...Consecration follows
cleansing, and not vice versa. Intelligent apprehension of...
Whether the Form of theConsecration of the Bread Accomplishes Its...
... OF THE FORM OF THIS SACRAMENT (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the form of theconsecration
of the bread accomplishes its effect before the form of theconsecration of...
Consecration.
... THE VALUE OF A PRAYING MOTHER CHAPTER V.CONSECRATION. In regard to her children,
Mrs. Worthington had passed through a deepconsecration....
Whether theConsecration of this Sacrament Belongs to a Priest...
... OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether theconsecration
of this sacrament belongs to a priest alone? Objection...
On theConsecration of a Church.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCXCV. On theConsecration of a Church. 6.6.8.6 James Montgomery.
On theConsecration of a Church. Not in Jerusalem alone,....
February the Fourteenth ImperfectConsecration
... FEBRUARY The Fourteenth IMPERFECTCONSECRATION. MATTHEW xix.16-22. The rich young
ruler consecrated a part, but was unwilling to consecrate the whole....
Thesaurus
Consecration (22 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONSECRATE;
CONSECRATION. kon'-se-krat,
kon-se-kra'-shun.
... T. Rees. Multi-Version Concordance
Consecration (22 Occurrences).
...Consecration-offering (3 Occurrences)
Consecration-offering.Consecration,Consecration-offering. Consecrations .
Multi-Version ConcordanceConsecration-offering (3 Occurrences)....
Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... In John 20:21-23, we have indeed a symbolic act ofconsecration ("He breathed
on them"), but "the act is described as one and not repeated....
Ram (96 Occurrences)
... fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, the fat that
is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram ofconsecration), (WEB KJV...
Wave-offering (22 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:26 And thou shalt take the breast of Aaron's ram ofconsecration, and
wave it for a wave-offering before Jehovah: and it shall be thy portion....
Waved (29 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:26 And thou hast taken the breast from the ram of theconsecration which
'is' for Aaron, and hast waved it -- a wave-offering before Jehovah, and it...
Dedication (16 Occurrences)
... ded'-i-kat, ded-ika'-shun (chanukkah, "initiation," "consecration"; qadhesh, "to
be clean," "sanctify"; cherem, "a thing devoted (to God)"): Often used in...
Saints (117 Occurrences)
... Of these words (2) has in general the meaning of righteousness or goodness, while
(1) and (3) have the meaning ofconsecration and divine claim and ownership....
Crown (94 Occurrences)
... means something "set apart"; ie a dedication to the priesthood or the dedication
of a Nazarite, hence, a chaplet or fillet as a symbol of suchconsecration....
Wave (65 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:26 "You shall take the breast of Aaron's ram ofconsecration, and wave
it for a wave offering before Yahweh: and it shall be your portion....
Resources
What does the Bible say about consecration? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the anointed priest? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is transubstantiation? | GotQuestions.orgConsecration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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