Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "ranks" often refers to the organization, order, and hierarchy within various groups, whether they be military, societal, or spiritual. The concept of ranks is evident throughout Scripture, illustrating the importance of structure and authority in both earthly and heavenly realms.
Military Ranks:The Bible frequently mentions military ranks, particularly in the Old Testament, where the organization of armies was crucial for the defense and expansion of Israel. In
1 Samuel 17:18, David is instructed by his father Jesse to "bring these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand," indicating a structured military hierarchy. Similarly, in
2 Samuel 23:8-39, the "mighty men" of David are listed, showcasing a rank of elite warriors within the army.
The New Testament also alludes to military ranks metaphorically. In
2 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul encourages Timothy to "share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus," highlighting the disciplined and hierarchical nature of spiritual warfare.
Societal Ranks:Societal ranks are evident in the Bible, reflecting the social structures of ancient cultures. In
Genesis 41:40, Pharaoh elevates Joseph to a high rank, saying, "You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you." This passage illustrates the hierarchical nature of Egyptian society and the authority vested in different ranks.
In the New Testament, societal ranks are addressed in the context of the early church. In
1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul writes, "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, helping, guidance, and different kinds of tongues." This passage outlines a spiritual hierarchy within the church, emphasizing the diversity of roles and responsibilities.
Spiritual Ranks:The Bible also speaks of spiritual ranks, particularly in the context of angelic beings and the spiritual realm.
Colossians 1:16 states, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him." This verse suggests a structured hierarchy among spiritual beings, with different ranks and roles.
Ephesians 6:12 further elaborates on this concept: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the organized nature of spiritual opposition, indicating a hierarchy among evil forces.
Conclusion:The concept of ranks in the Bible underscores the importance of order and authority in various aspects of life. Whether in military, societal, or spiritual contexts, ranks serve to organize and direct individuals and groups toward a common purpose, reflecting the divine order established by God.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RANKSranks (prasid, "a square plot of ground," "a garden-bed"): "They sat down in ranks" (Mark 6:40); the several reclining ranks formed, as it were, separate plots or "garden-beds."
Greek
4414. protostates -- one who stands first (of soldiers), hence a...... ringleader. From protos and histemi; one standing first in the
ranks, ie A captain
(champion) -- ringleader. see GREEK protos. see GREEK histemi.
...4237. prasia -- a garden bed
... leek, and so an onion-patch); a garden plot, ie (by implication, of regular beds)
a row (repeated in plural by Hebraism, to indicate an arrangement) -- inranks...
4960. sustoicheo -- to stand in the same rank, fig. correspond to
... to correspond to. From sun and stoicheo; to file together (as soldiers inranks),
ie (figuratively) to correspond to -- answer to. see GREEK sun....
Strong's Hebrew
4151. moad -- appointed place... 4150, 4151. moad. 4152 . appointed place. Transliteration: moad Phonetic
Spelling: (mo-awd') Short Definition:
ranks. Word Origin
...7713. sederah -- row, rank (of soldiers)
... 7712, 7713. sederah. 7714 . row, rank (of soldiers). Transliteration: sederah
Phonetic Spelling: (sed-ay-raw') Short Definition:ranks....
5670. abat -- to take or give a pledge
... borrow, breakranks, fetch a pledge, lend, surely. A primitive root; to
pawn; causatively, to lend (on security); figuratively, to...
2686. chatsats -- to divide
... A primitive root (compare chatsah); properly, to chop into, pierce or sever;
hence, to curtail, to distribute (intoranks); as denom....
6471. paam -- a beat, foot, anvil, occurrence
... 1), each story (1), feet (9), footsteps (3), hoofbeats (1), now (5), oftentimes*
(1), once (1), once more (3), once* (4), other times (5),ranks (2), steps (3...
4634. maarakah -- row, rank, battle line
... NASB Word Usage armies (3), army (3), arrangement (1), battle array (1), battle
formation (1), battle line (5), battlefield* (1), orderly manner (1),ranks (3...
1214. batsa -- to cut off, break off, gain by violence
... root Definition to cut off, break off, gain by violence NASB Word Usage accomplished
(1), break (1), breakranks (1), completed (1), cut me off (1), cut off (1...
2686a. chatsats -- to divide
... to divide. Transliteration: chatsats Short Definition: off. Word Origin a prim.
root Definition to divide NASB Word Usage cut off (1),ranks (1). 2686, 2686a...
Library
Whether in Happiness visionRanks Before Delight?
... OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR HAPPINESS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
in happiness visionranks before delight? Objection 1: It...
Of theRanks and Differences of the Creatures, Estimated by their...
... Book XI. Chapter 16."Of theRanks and Differences of the Creatures, Estimated by
Their Utility, or According to the Natural Gradations of Being....
Concerning theRanks of the Initiated.
... CAPUT VI. I. Concerning theRanks of the Initiated.... These, then, are the sacerdotal
Ranks and elections, their powers, and operations, and consecrations....
Concerning "Holy of Holies," "King of Kings," "Lord of Lords...
... And Holy Ones and Kings and Lords and Gods, in the language of Scripture, are the
higherRanks in each Kind [492] through which the secondaryRanks receiving...
Through the Red Sea
... The turmoil of Israel began to subside, growing fainter, ceasing among theranks
nearest the sea, failing toward the rear, dying away like a sigh up and down...
Assurance.
... He could not get hold of the rein, and a private in theranks saw it, and sprang
out of theranks towards the horse, and was successful in getting hold of the...
Concerning Sacerdotal Consecrations.
... to set forth the sacerdotal Orders and elections themselves, and their powers, and
operations, and consecrations, and the triad of the superiorranks under them...
David's victory Over the Giant
... between them. Then there came out from theranks of the Philistines a champion
named Goliath, who was about ten feet tall. He had...
Letter cxx. To Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, on Perseverance in the...
... the priestly office gains much in lustre where the authority of the highest is
preserved without it being thought that the liberty of the lowerranks has been...
Strong and Loving
... The former sound like the word of command shouted from an officer along theranks;
and there is a military metaphor running all through them....
Thesaurus
Ranks (34 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RANKS.
ranks (prasid, "a square plot of
ground," "a garden-bed"): "They sat down in
ranks" (Mark
...Reproached (27 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine saith, 'I have reproached theranks of Israel
this day; give to me a man, and we fight together.' (YLT)....
Rank (42 Occurrences)
... 11. (n. & v.) An aggregate of individuals classed together; a permanent social class;
an order; a division; as,ranks and orders of men; the highest and the...
Ranges (5 Occurrences)
... (2.) 2 Kings 11:8. A Hebrew word is here used different from the preceding, meaning
"ranks of soldiers." The Levites were appointed to guard the king's person...
Units (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Kings 11:15 Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds
who were set over the army, and said to them, "Bring her out between theranks....
Windows (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 7:4 And there were windows
in three rows, and light was against light in threeranks. (KJV WBS YLT NIV)....
Tiers (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tiers (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 7:4 There were beams in
three rows, and window was over against window in threeranks. (See RSV)....
Range (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in
ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range soldiers in line....
Beams (28 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS NIV). 1 Kings 7:4 There were beams in three rows, and window
was over against window in threeranks. (WEB JPS ASV DBY)....
Artistic (14 Occurrences)
... lattice work. (See NAS). 1 Kings 7:4 There were beams in three rows, and
window was over against window in threeranks. (See NAS). 1...
Resources
Is it wrong to force a conversion? What role should coercion play in religion? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about church hierarchy? | GotQuestions.orgIs belief in God a virus? | GotQuestions.orgRanks: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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