Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "devote" in the Bible carries significant spiritual and religious implications, often associated with dedication, consecration, and the setting apart of people, objects, or time for God's purposes. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting a deep commitment to God and His commandments.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "devote" is "ḥāram," which can mean to ban, exterminate, or dedicate something irrevocably to God. This term is frequently used in the context of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, where certain cities and their inhabitants were "devoted" to destruction as an offering to God. For example, in
Joshua 6:17 , the city of Jericho is described: "Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the spies we sent."
The concept of devoting something to God also appears in the context of vows and offerings.
Leviticus 27 outlines the laws regarding things devoted to the Lord, including people, animals, and property. These items were considered holy and set apart for God's use, underscoring the seriousness and irrevocability of such dedication.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the idea of devotion is often linked to personal commitment and spiritual discipline. The Greek word "proskartereō" is used to describe steadfastness and perseverance in prayer and service.
Acts 2:42 illustrates this devotion among the early Christians: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of devotion in the context of Christian living. In
Romans 12:1 , he urges believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is described as a spiritual act of worship. This call to devotion emphasizes a life wholly committed to God's service and purposes.
Devotion in Worship and ServiceDevotion in the Bible is not limited to specific acts or rituals but encompasses a lifestyle of worship and service. It involves a heart fully committed to God, as seen in the Shema, a central declaration of faith in
Deuteronomy 6:5 : "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
The Psalms frequently express themes of devotion, highlighting a deep, personal relationship with God.
Psalm 86:11 reflects a desire for undivided devotion: "Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name."
Devotion in Daily LifeThe Bible encourages believers to live lives marked by devotion in all areas, including family, work, and community.
Colossians 3:23 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men." This verse underscores the principle that all aspects of life can be acts of devotion when done for God's glory.
In summary, the biblical concept of devotion encompasses a comprehensive commitment to God, characterized by dedication, consecration, and a lifestyle of worship and service. Whether through specific acts of consecration or the daily living out of one's faith, devotion remains a central theme in the believer's relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To appropriate by vow; to set apart or dedicate by a solemn act; to consecrate; also, to consign over; to doom; to evil; to devote one to destruction; the city was devoted to the flames.
2. (v. t.) To execrate; to curse.
3. (v. t.) To give up wholly; to addict; to direct the attention of wholly or compound; to attach; -- often with a reflexive pronoun; as, to devote one's self to science, to one's friends, to piety, etc.
4. (a.) Devoted; addicted; devout.
5. (n.) A devotee.
Greek
4980. scholazo -- to be at leisure, hence todevote oneself to... to be at leisure, hence to
devote oneself to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
scholazo Phonetic Spelling: (skhol-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I have leisure
...332. anathematizo -- to declare anathema,devote to destruction
... to declare anathema,devote to destruction. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
anathematizo Phonetic Spelling: (an-ath-em-at-id'-zo) Short Definition: I curse...
4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly
... [4342 means "to continue to do something with intense effort, with the possible
implication of despite difficulty -- 'todevote oneself to, to keep on, to...
4337. prosecho -- to hold to, turn to, attend to
... to, turn to, attend to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosecho Phonetic
Spelling: (pros-ekh'-o) Short Definition: I pay attention to,devote myself to...
2653. katanathematizo -- curse.
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katanathematizo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-an-ath-em-at-id'-zo) Short Definition: I curse,devote to destruction Definition...
4689. spendo -- to pour out (as a drink offering), to make a...
... Apparently a primary verb; to pour out as a libation, ie (figuratively) todevote
(one's life or blood, as a sacrifice) ("spend") -- (be ready to) be offered....
2119. eukaireo -- to have opportunity
... kahee-reh'-o) Short Definition: I have a good opportunity, have leisure Definition:
I have a good (favorable) opportunity, have leisure; Idevote my leisure to...
Strong's Hebrew
2763. charam -- to ban,devote, exterminate... 2762, 2763. charam. 2763a . to ban,
devote, exterminate. Transliteration: charam
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-ram') Short Definition: accursed.
...2763a. charam -- to ban,devote, exterminate
... 2763, 2763a. charam. 2763b . to ban,devote, exterminate. Transliteration:
charam Short Definition: destroyed. Word Origin a prim....
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... 1), carried out repairs (12), caught (1), caught fast (1), caught hold (1), collected
his strength (1), courageous (3), detained (1),devote (1), display great...
5144. nazar -- to dedicate, consecrate
... food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (ie Apostatize));
specifically, to set apart (to sacred purposes), ieDevote -- consecrate, separate...
5674a. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... through (1), contrary (2), cross (29), cross over (31), crossed (31), crossed over
(17), crossing (5), crossing over (5), current (1),devote (1), drew across...
Library
Adoro TeDevote (No. 1)
... No. 227a Adoro tedevote (No. 1). Adoro tedevote (No.1) St Thomas Aquinas
1227-1274 Gregorian. Fifth Mode. 1. Adoro tedevote, latens...
Adoro TeDevote (No. 2)
... No. 227b Adoro tedevote (No. 2). Adoro tedevote (No.2) Ch. Gounod Arr.
by NAM. Lento. 1. Adoro tedevote, latens Deitas, Quae sub...
In the Spiritual Israel the High-Priests are those whoDevote...
... Book I. 3. In the Spiritual Israel the High-Priests are Those WhoDevote Themselves
to the Study of Scripture. But what is the bearing of all this for us?...
That the Philosophers who Give Good Instructions Live Badly, by...
... XVI."That the Philosophers Who Give Good Instructions Live Badly, by the Testimony
of Cicero; Therefore We Should Not So MuchDevote Ourselves to the Study...
Of the Way in which theyDevote Themselves in their Cells Equally...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XIV. Of the way in which theydevote themselves in
their cells equally to manual labour and to prayer. And...
Whether Religious are Bound to Manual Labor?
... many listen." Therefore it would seem that religious should not desist from manual
labor on account of such like spiritual works to which theydevote themselves...
On the Feast of a Holy Confessor
... When they feel inclined to do good works, theydevote themselves thereto, often
beyond their power; at one time they will do one thing, at another time another...
A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... The rule which permits us not to go astray in the study of righteousness, requires
two things, viz., that man, abandoning his own will,devote himself entirely...
That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within...
... For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have been put over
their brethren for their souls' sake,devote themselves with the whole effort...
Letter xxviii. (AD 394 or 395. )
... 2. We therefore, and with us all that are devoted to study in the African churches,
beseech you not to refuse todevote care and labour to the translation of...
Thesaurus
Devote (36 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To appropriate by vow; to set apart or dedicate by a solemn act; to consecrate;
also, to consign over; to doom; to evil; to
devote one to destruction
...Captured (143 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 2:34 and we capture all his cities at that time, anddevote the whole
city, men, and the women, and the infants -- we have not left a remnant; (See...
Give (13501 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Todevote; to apply; used reflexively, todevote or apply one's self; as,
the soldiers give themselves to plunder; also in this sense used very...
Forfeit (12 Occurrences)
... The word occurs only once as the translation of charam, "to shut in," frequently
todevote or consecrate a person or thing to God beyond redemption (compare...
Dedicate (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To set apart and consecrate, as to a divinity, or for sacred uses; todevote
formally and solemnly; as, to dedicate vessels, treasures, a temple, or a...
Capture (53 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 2:34 and we capture all his cities at that time, anddevote the whole
city, men, and the women, and the infants -- we have not left a remnant; (YLT...
Consecrate (65 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To make, or declare to be, sacred; to appropriate to sacred uses; to set
apart, dedicate, ordevote, to the service or worship of God; as, to...
Devoted (72 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofDevote. 2. (a.) Consecrated to a purpose;
strongly attached; zealous; devout; as, a devoted admirer. Int....
Infants (71 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 2:34 and we capture all his cities at that time, anddevote the whole
city, men, and the women, and the infants -- we have not left a remnant; (YLT...
Remnant (157 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 2:34 and we capture all his cities at that time, anddevote the whole
city, men, and the women, and the infants -- we have not left a remnant; (YLT...
Resources
What is a religious order? | GotQuestions.orgWhy should I get married? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of mutual consent in 1 Corinthians 7:5? | GotQuestions.orgDevote: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
