Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "determine" in the Bible encompasses themes of decision-making, divine will, and the establishment of plans or purposes. It reflects both human actions and God's sovereign decrees. The term is often associated with God's predetermined plans and the decisions made by individuals in accordance with divine guidance.
Divine DeterminationIn Scripture, God's determination is often linked to His sovereign will and purpose. The Bible affirms that God has a predetermined plan for creation and history. In
Acts 17:26, it is stated, "From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands." This verse highlights God's sovereign control over the nations and their destinies.
The prophet Isaiah also speaks of God's determined plans: "The LORD of Hosts has sworn: 'As I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand'" (
Isaiah 14:24). This underscores the certainty and unchangeable nature of God's purposes.
Human DeterminationWhile God's determination is absolute, human determination is often seen in the context of aligning with God's will. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in their decisions and to commit their plans to Him.
Proverbs 16:9 states, "A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This verse illustrates the balance between human initiative and divine guidance.
The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of discerning God's will in decision-making. In
Ephesians 5:17, Paul exhorts believers, "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." This calls for a deliberate effort to align one's choices with God's purposes.
Determination in TrialsThe Bible also addresses the theme of determination in the context of enduring trials and challenges.
James 1:12 encourages believers, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." Here, determination is linked to perseverance and faithfulness in the face of adversity.
Eschatological DeterminationIn eschatological terms, the Bible speaks of God's determined plan for the end times.
Acts 17:31 declares, "For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed." This reflects the certainty of God's future judgment and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
ConclusionThe concept of "determine" in the Bible encompasses both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It calls believers to trust in God's perfect will while actively seeking to align their decisions with His purposes. Through understanding and embracing God's determination, believers find assurance in His unchanging plans and are encouraged to live faithfully in accordance with His will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
2. (v. t.) To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish.
3. (v. t.) To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
4. (v. t.) To fix the course of; to impel and direct; -- with a remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will determined me to this course.
5. (v. t.) To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered plant or its name.
6. (v. t.) To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause.
7. (v. t.) To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as, this determined him to go immediately.
8. (v. t.) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
9. (v. t.) To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water.
10. (v. i.) To come to an end; to end; to terminate.
11. (v. i.) To come to a decision; to decide; to resolve; -- often with on.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DETERMINEde-tur'-min:
(1) "To resolve," "decide." This is the primary meaning of the word and it is also the one that is the most common. In the New Testament the Greek word krino, is translated "determine," and it has the above meaning (Acts 20:16;Acts 25:251 Corinthians 2:2). The word occurs frequently in the Old Testament with this meaning (seeExodus 21:221 Samuel 20:7, 9, 33).
(2) "To decree," "ordain," "mark out." The Greek word that is rendered "determine" with this meaning is horizo. SeeDETERMINATE.
The Hebrew term charats is translated "determine" with the above meaning; as "his days are determined" (Job 14:5); "a destruction is determined" (Isaiah 10:22); "desolations are determined" (Daniel 9:26). The Hebrew term mishpaT, which means "judgment" or "sentence," is translated "determination" inZephaniah 3:8.
A. W. Fortune.
Greek
3724. horizo -- to mark off by boundaries, todetermine... to mark off by boundaries, to
determine. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: horizo
Phonetic Spelling: (hor-id'-zo) Short Definition: I define,
determine...1231. diaginosko -- to distinguish, todetermine
... to distinguish, todetermine. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaginosko Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-ag-in-o'-sko) Short Definition: I know accurately, examine...
4400. procheirizo -- to put into the hand, to take into one's hand...
... to put into the hand, to take into one's hand, hence todetermine. Part of Speech:
Verb Transliteration: procheirizo Phonetic Spelling: (prokh-i-rid'-zom-ahee...
1011. bouleuo -- to take counsel, deliberate
... Verb Transliteration: bouleuo Phonetic Spelling: (bool-yoo'-o) Short Definition:
I deliberate, take counsel Definition: I deliberate, take counsel,determine....
4309. proorizo -- to predetermine, foreordain
... 4309 (from 4253 , "before" and 3724 , "establish boundaries, limits") --
properly, , pre-determine limits (boundaries) predestine....
2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... to judge, decide NASB Word Usage act as...judge (1), concluded (1), condemn (1),
condemning (1), considered (1), decided (8),determine (1), determined (2), go...
5021. tasso -- to draw up in order, arrange
... Speech: Verb Transliteration: tasso Phonetic Spelling: (tas'-so) Short Definition:
I assign, arrange Definition: (a) I assign, arrange, (b) Idetermine; mid: I...
4388. protithemi -- to set before, ie propose
... protithemi Phonetic Spelling: (prot-ith'-em-ahee) Short Definition: I purpose, design
beforehand Definition: I purpose, design beforehand,determine....
1956. epiluo -- to loose, to solve
...determine, expound. From epi and luo; to solve further, ie (figuratively) to explain,
decide --determine, expound. see GREEK epi. see GREEK luo....
2975. lagchano -- to obtain by lot
... A prolonged form of a primary verb, which is only used as an alternate in certain
tenses; to lot, ieDetermine (by implication, receive) especially by lot...
Strong's Hebrew
2852. chathak -- to divide,determine... chathak. 2853 . to divide,
determine. Transliteration: chathak Phonetic Spelling:
(khaw-thak') Short Definition: decreed. Word Origin a prim.
...determine.
...1505. gezar -- to cut,determine
... 1504, 1505. gezar. 1506 . to cut,determine. Transliteration: gezar Phonetic
Spelling: (ghez-ar') Short Definition: diviners. Word...
2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased,determine...
... to show willingness, be pleased,determine, undertake (to do anything). Transliteration:
yaal Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-al') Short Definition: willing....
3289. yaats -- to advise, counsel
... advertise, take advise, advise well, consult, give, take counsel,determine,
devise,. A primitive root; to advise; reflexively, to...
2782. charats -- to cut, sharpen, decide
... bestir self, decide, decree,determine, maim, move. A primitive root; properly,
to point sharply, ie (literally) to wound; figuratively...
3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished...
... accomplish, cease, consume away,determine, destroy utterly. A primitive
root; to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished...
7760. sum -- to put, place, set
... bring (1), brought (1), care* (2), changes (2), charge* (1), charged (1), charges
(2), consider (4), consider* (6), considered* (2),determine* (1), determined...
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 1), completely* (1), concern* (1), concerned* (1), conscience (1), consider* (2),
considered* (2), courage (1), decided* (1),determine* (1), discouraged* (1...
7080. qasam -- to practice divination
... A primitive root; properly, to distribute, ieDetermine by lot or magical scroll;
by implication, to divine -- divine(-r, -ation), prudent, soothsayer, use...
559. amar -- to utter, say
... avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give)
command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire,determine, X expressly...
Library
Now it is a Matter of Importance toDetermine what Style Should be...
... Book 4 Chapter 52. Now it is a matter of importance todetermine what style
should be alternated? 52. Now it is a matter of importance...
Bishop Hosius Said: this Also Let Your SagacityDetermine...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon VIII. Bishop Hosius said: This also
let your sagacitydetermine? (Greek.) Bishop Hosius said...
Whether it is Reasonable in the Platonists toDetermine that the...
... Chapter 16."Whether It is Reasonable in the Platonists toDetermine that the Celestial
Gods Decline Contact with Earthly Things and Intercourse with Men, Who...
Of Agreement as to Tithe, Composition, Notice, &C.
... A notice too late todetermine a composition from year to year, will not
serve for the succeeding year. Id.1321. A defendant may...
Sanctification and Justification.
... Hence God's righteousness impresses us, first, with the fact of His authority over
us; that not we, but He mustdetermine what is right, and how we ought to be...
Sanctification and Justification (Continued).
... Being. But only as Sovereign could Hedetermine the right, maintain the violated
right, and execute righteousness upon the violater....
Our Status.
... And since a man does notdetermine his own status, but his sovereign or judge
determines it for him, the status of this clerk, altho innocent, is, from the...
The Knowledge of Jesus Christ the Best Knowledge
... him crucified.". Secondly, Give some reasons why every Christian should
determine not to know any thing else. And. Thirdly, Conclude...
The Ark of the House of Obed-Edom
... So, my brother, life is what you and I will to make it, and the events which befall
us are for our rising or our falling according as wedetermine they shall be...
Christ the Light of the World.
... All men have practical matters todetermine which often greatly perplex them; they
must make a choice between one or other course of action that is possible....
Thesaurus
Determine (13 Occurrences)... 5. (vt) To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of;
to assign to its true place in a system; as, to
determine an unknown or a newly
...Judge (297 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A public officer who is invested with authority to hear anddetermine litigated
causes, and to administer justice between parties in courts held for...
Define (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Todetermine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits
of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country....
Will (64996 Occurrences)
... 6. (v.) Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, ordetermine.... 14. (vi) To
exercise an act of volition; to choose; to decide; todetermine; to decree....
Determinate (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (a.) Determined or resolved upon. 4. (a.) of determined purpose; resolute.
5. (vt) To bring to an end; todetermine. SeeDetermine. Int....
Find (1784 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To arrive at, as a conclusion; todetermine as true; to establish; as, to
find a verdict; to find a true bill (of indictment) against an accused person...
Resolve (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) Todetermine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind; to fix;
to settle; as, he was resolved by an unexpected event....
Decree (82 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) Todetermine judicially by authority, or by decree; to constitute by edict;
to appoint by decree or law; todetermine; to order; to ordain; as, a court...
Discrepancies
... Our inquiry resolves itself into three parts: (1) todetermine whether there be
discrepancies, of either or both sorts, in the Bible; (2) to obtain at least a...
Decide (33 Occurrences)
... bring to a termination, as a question, controversy, struggle, by giving the victory
to one side or party; to render judgment concerning; todetermine; to settle...
Resources
What is Verbal Plenary Preservation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the philosophy of ethics? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is ethical relativism? | GotQuestions.orgDetermine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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