Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, a "successor" refers to an individual who follows another in a position of leadership or authority, often by divine appointment or through a recognized process of succession. The concept of succession is significant in the Bible, as it underscores the continuity of God's work and the fulfillment of His promises through successive generations.
Old Testament ExamplesOne of the most prominent examples of succession in the Old Testament is the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, was not permitted to enter the Promised Land due to his disobedience at Meribah (
Numbers 20:12). God appointed Joshua as Moses' successor, instructing Moses to lay hands on him and commission him in the sight of all Israel (
Deuteronomy 34:9). Joshua's leadership was marked by the successful conquest of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to the patriarchs.
Another significant instance is the succession of kings in Israel and Judah. The transition from King Saul to King David is a notable example. Although Saul was the first king of Israel, his disobedience led God to choose David as his successor (
1 Samuel 16:1-13). David's anointing by the prophet Samuel signified God's choice, and despite Saul's attempts to thwart this succession, David eventually became king, establishing a dynasty that would lead to the Messiah.
New Testament ExamplesIn the New Testament, the concept of succession is evident in the early Church's leadership. After Judas Iscariot's betrayal and death, the apostles sought a successor to maintain the number of the Twelve. They chose Matthias by casting lots, a decision made after prayer and seeking God's guidance (
Acts 1:24-26). This event highlights the importance of maintaining divinely appointed leadership within the Church.
The apostle Paul also addressed succession in his letters, particularly in his relationship with Timothy and Titus. Paul regarded Timothy as his "true son in the faith" (
1 Timothy 1:2) and entrusted him with significant responsibilities in the early Church. He instructed Timothy to "guard the deposit entrusted to you" (
1 Timothy 6:20) and to "entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others" (
2 Timothy 2:2). This reflects the principle of passing on sound doctrine and leadership to future generations.
Theological SignificanceTheologically, the concept of succession underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His purposes through human agents. It demonstrates that while leaders may change, God's plan remains steadfast. The biblical model of succession often involves divine selection, human recognition, and the passing on of spiritual authority and responsibility.
Succession also serves as a reminder of the importance of mentorship and discipleship within the faith community. Leaders are called to prepare and equip others to continue the work of ministry, ensuring the perpetuation of the Gospel message and the edification of the Church.
In summary, the biblical concept of a successor is deeply rooted in the narrative of God's unfolding plan, highlighting the continuity of leadership and the transmission of divine authority across generations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) One who succeeds or follows; one who takes the place which another has left, and sustains the like part or character; -- correlative to predecessor; as, the successor of a deceased king.
Greek
1240. diadochos -- asuccessor... a
successor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: diadochos Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-ad'-okh-os) Short Definition: a
successor Definition: a
successor...745. Archelaos -- "people-ruling," Archelaus, a son of Herod the...
... Transliteration: Archelaos Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khel'-ah-os) Short Definition:
Archelaus Definition: Archelaus, Herod Archelaus, son andsuccessor of Herod I...
1239. diadidomi -- to hand over, distribute
... From dia and didomi; to give throughout a crowd, ie Deal out; also to deliver over
(as to asuccessor) -- (make) distribute(-ion), divide, give. see GREEK dia....
Strong's Hebrew
8010. Shelomoh -- David's son andsuccessor to his throne... 8009, 8010. Shelomoh. 8011 . David's son and
successor to his throne.
Transliteration: Shelomoh Phonetic Spelling: (shel-o-mo') Short Definition: Solomon.
...783b. Artachshast -- a son andsuccessor of Xerxes, king of Persia
... 783a, 783b. Artachshast. 784 . a son andsuccessor of Xerxes, king of Persia.
Transliteration: Artachshast Short Definition: Artaxerxes....
192. Evil Merodak -- "man of Merodach," son andsuccessor of...
... "man of Merodach," son andsuccessor of Nebuchadnezzar. Transliteration: Evil Merodak
Phonetic Spelling: (ev-eel' mer-o-dak') Short Definition: Evil-merodach....
783a. Artachshasta -- a son andsuccessor of Xerxes, king of...
... 783, 783a. Artachshasta. 783b . a son andsuccessor of Xerxes, king of Persia.
Transliteration: Artachshasta Short Definition: Artaxerxes....
3091. Yehoshua -- "the LORD is salvation," Moses'successor, also...
Yehoshua or Yehoshua. 3090, 3091. Yehoshua or Yehoshua. 3092 . "the LORD is
salvation," Moses'successor, also the name of a number of Isr....
783. Artachshashta' -- a son andsuccessor of Xerxes, king of...
... a son andsuccessor of Xerxes, king of Persia. Transliteration: Artachshashta' Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-takh-shash-taw') Short Definition: Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes...
Library
At that Time Honorius,Successor to Boniface, was Bishop of the...
... BOOK II CHAP. XVII. AT that time Honorius,successor to Boniface, was Bishop
of the Apostolic see.? AT that time Honorius,successor...
Dissension About aSuccessor to Auxentius, Bishop of Milan....
... Book IV. Chapter XXX."Dissension about aSuccessor to Auxentius, Bishop
of Milan. Ambrose, Governor of the Province, going to...
Successor to be Appointed.
... Homily III. Chapter LX."Successor to Be Appointed. "Since, therefore, it
is necessary to set apart some one instead of me to fill...
How Ethelwald,Successor to Cuthbert, Leading a Hermit's Life...
... BOOK V CHAP. I. How Ethelwald,successor to Cuthbert, leading a hermit's life, calmed.
a tempest by his prayers when the brethren were in danger at sea....
Death of Paul Bishop of the Novatians, and Election of Marcian as...
... Book VII. Chapter XLVI."Death of Paul Bishop of the Novatians, and Election
of Marcian as hisSuccessor. A little while after...
What Augustin Wrote to Simplicianus, theSuccessor of Ambrose...
... A Treatise on the predestination of the saints, Chapter 8 [IV.]"What Augustin Wrote
to Simplicianus, theSuccessor of Ambrose, Bishop of Milan....
How Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons, Went to Rome to be...
... How Caedwalla, king of the West Saxons, went to Rome to be baptised; and hissuccessor
Ini, also devoutly journeyed to the same threshold of the holy Apostles....
How his Body was Found Altogether Uncorrupted after it had Been...
... How his body was found altogether uncorrupted after it had been buried eleven years,
and how hissuccessor in the bishopric departed this world not long after....
Ordination of Arsacius as John'sSuccessor. Indisposition of...
... Book VI. Chapter XIX."Ordination of Arsacius as John'sSuccessor.
Indisposition of Cyrinus Bishop of Chalcedon. After the lapse...
Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople, when at the Point of Death...
... Book II. Chapter VI."Alexander, Bishop of Constantinople, when at the Point of Death
proposes the Election either of Paul or of Macedonius as hisSuccessor....
Thesaurus
Successor (10 Occurrences)... or follows; one who takes the place which another has left, and sustains the like
part or character; -- correlative to predecessor; as, the
successor of a
...Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)
... Yahweh will be steadfast," and "Coniah" in Jeremiah 22:24, 28; konyahu, "Yahweh
has upheld him"; 'Ioakeim): A king of Judah; son andsuccessor of Jehoiakim...
Melchizedek (12 Occurrences)
... One of the Amarna tablets is from Ebed-Tob, king of Jerusalem, thesuccessor of
Melchizedek, in which he claims the very attributes and dignity given to...
Melchisedec (10 Occurrences)
... Psalm 110:4 makes the klng-priest who is addressed there a virtualsuccessor of
Melchizedek, and the kings of Jerusalem might well, as Gunkel suggests, have...
Jehoram (27 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 17:8). (4.) The son of Ahab and Jezebel, andsuccessor to his
brother Ahaziah on the throne of Israel. He reigned twelve...
Continuator (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:23 and now, swear to me by God here: thou dost not lie to me, or to my
continuator, or to mysuccessor; according to the kindness which I have done...
Ahasbai (1 Occurrence)
... Ewald and others have suggested that this Ahasuerus was Cambyses, the son
andsuccessor of Cyrus. It seems to be more probable that...
Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences)
... (2.) The son andsuccessor of Jehu, king of Israel (2 Kings 10:35). He reigned
seventeen years, and followed the evil ways of the house of Jeroboam....
Antiochus
... BC). See also SELEUCIDAE. JE Harry. ANTIOCHUS II. Surnamed Theos (Theos,
"god"): Son andsuccessor of Antiochus (261-246 BC). He made...
Rehoboam (42 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary He enlarges the people, thesuccessor of Solomon on the
throne, and apparently his only son.... His son Abijah became hissuccessor....
Resources
Shia and Sunni Islam - what are the differences? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Baha'i faith? | GotQuestions.orgWhy didn't Jesus marry? | GotQuestions.orgSuccessor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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