Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "title" can refer to several concepts, including the designation of authority, ownership, or a formal name given to a person or object. The use of titles in Scripture often carries significant theological and cultural implications.
Titles of GodOne of the most profound uses of titles in the Bible is in reference to God. Various titles are ascribed to God, each revealing different aspects of His character and relationship with humanity. For example, "El Shaddai" (God Almighty) emphasizes His omnipotence, while "Jehovah Jireh" (The Lord Will Provide) highlights His provision. In
Isaiah 9:6, the coming Messiah is given titles such as "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" , each reflecting His divine nature and mission.
Titles of Jesus ChristJesus Christ is given numerous titles throughout the New Testament, each underscoring His divine identity and redemptive work. He is called the "Lamb of God" (
John 1:29), signifying His role as the sacrificial atonement for sin. The title "Son of Man" (
Matthew 8:20) emphasizes His humanity and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (
Revelation 19:16) declares His supreme authority over all creation.
Titles of BelieversBelievers in Christ are also given titles that reflect their new identity and role within the body of Christ. They are called "children of God" (
John 1:12), indicating their adoption into God's family. The term "saints" (
Romans 1:7) refers to their sanctified status through faith in Jesus. Additionally, believers are described as "ambassadors for Christ" (
2 Corinthians 5:20), highlighting their mission to represent and proclaim the Gospel.
Titles in the ChurchWithin the early church, titles were used to designate roles and responsibilities. The title "apostle" was given to those who were directly commissioned by Christ to spread the Gospel (
Acts 1:2). "Elders" and "deacons" are titles used for church leaders responsible for teaching, shepherding, and serving the congregation (
1 Timothy 3:1-13).
Cultural and Historical ContextIn biblical times, titles were often associated with social status and authority. For instance, the title "Pharaoh" was used for the kings of Egypt, denoting their supreme power. Similarly, Roman titles such as "Caesar" indicated imperial authority. Understanding these cultural contexts helps illuminate the significance of titles within the biblical narrative.
ConclusionThe use of titles in the Bible serves to communicate identity, authority, and purpose. Whether referring to God, Jesus Christ, believers, or historical figures, titles provide insight into the divine and human relationships depicted in Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An inscription put over or upon anything as a name by which it is known.
2. (n.) The inscription in the beginning of a book, usually containing the subject of the work, the author's and publisher's names, the date, etc.
3. (n.) The panel for the name, between the bands of the back of a book.
4. (n.) A section or division of a subject, as of a law, a book, specif. (Roman & Canon Laws), a chapter or division of a law book.
5. (n.) An appellation of dignity, distinction, or preeminence (hereditary or acquired), given to persons, as duke marquis, honorable, esquire, etc.
6. (n.) A name; an appellation; a designation.
7. (n.) That which constitutes a just cause of exclusive possession; that which is the foundation of ownership of property, real or personal; a right; as, a good title to an estate, or an imperfect title.
8. (n.) The instrument which is evidence of a right.
9. (n.) That by which a beneficiary holds a benefice.
10. (n.) A church to which a priest was ordained, and where he was to reside.
11. (n.) To call by a title; to name; to entitle.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TITLEti'-t'-l:John 19:19, 20 for titlos.
The following arrangement of the title on the cross has been suggested: See Geikie, Life and Words of Christ, chapter lxiii, note e; Seymour, The Cross in Tradition, History and Art (New York, 1898), pp. 115, 116, 136, 138.
In2 Kings 23:17, the King James Version has "title" for tsiyyun. The word is connected with tsawah, "to command," and King James Version seems to have understood tsiyyun as "that giving directions," "sign-posts" (compareEzekiel 39:15). The word, however, means "grave-stone," "monument."
SeeSUPERSCRIPTION.
Greek
5102b. titlos -- atitle, an inscription... 5102a, 5102b. titlos. 5103 . a
title, an inscription. Transliteration:
titlos Short Definition: inscription. Word Origin of Latin
...3323. Messias -- Messiah, the OTtitle corresponding to Christ
... Messiah, the OTtitle corresponding to Christ. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Messias Phonetic Spelling: (mes-see'-as) Short Definition...
5102. titlos -- Titius (surnamed Justus), a Christian
... Justus), a Christian. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: titlos Phonetic
Spelling: (tit'-los) Short Definition: atitle, inscription Definition: a...
5287. hupostasis -- a support, substance, steadiness, hence...
... 5287 (from 5259 , "under" and 2476 , "to stand") -- properly, (to possess) a guaranteed
agreement ("title-deed"); (figuratively) "" to a promise or property...
828. Augoustos -- Augustus, the name of a Roman emperor
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Augoustos Phonetic Spelling:
(ow'-goos-tos) Short Definition: Augustus Definition: Augustus, atitle conferred...
4575. sebastos -- reverend, august, hence Augustus, a Roman...
... Phonetic Spelling: (seb-as-tos') Short Definition: august, venerated Definition:
(official Greek equivalent of Augustus), venerated, august, atitle of the...
1923. epigraphe -- an inscription
... inscription. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epigraphe Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ig-raf-ay') Short Definition: an inscription,title Definition: an...
4461. rhabbi -- my master, my teacher
... Transliteration: rhabbi Phonetic Spelling: (hrab-bee') Short Definition: Rabbi,
my master, teacher Definition: Rabbi, my master, teacher; atitle of respect...
1694. Emmanouel -- "God with us," Immanuel, a name of Christ
... Indeclinable Transliteration: Emmanouel Phonetic Spelling: (em-man-oo-ale') Short
Definition: Emmanuel Definition: Emmanuel, a Messianictitle derived from...
3816. pais -- a child, boy, youth
... Short Definition: a boy or girl child Definition: (a) a male child, boy, (b) a male
slave, servant; thus: a servant of God, especially as atitle of the Messiah...
Strong's Hebrew
3655. kanah -- totitle, give an epithet... 3654, 3655. kanah. 3656 . to
title, give an epithet. Transliteration: kanah
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-naw') Short Definition: flatter. Word Origin a prim.
...8660. tirshatha -- (a Pers.title) governor
...title) governor. Transliteration: tirshatha Phonetic Spelling: (teer-shaw-thaw')
Short Definition: governor....title) governor NASB Word Usage governor (5)....
6547. Paroh -- atitle of Egypt kings
... atitle of Egypt kings. Transliteration: Paroh Phonetic Spelling: (par-o') Short
Definition: Pharaoh. Word Origin of foreign origin Definition atitle of Eg....
4192. Muth -- "to die for the son," probably a songtitle
... Muth or Muth Labben. 4193 . "to die for the son," probably a songtitle.
Transliteration: Muth or Muth Labben Phonetic Spelling: (mooth) Short Definition:...
6407. Palti -- "escape," a descriptivetitle for one of David's...
... 6406, 6407. Palti. 6408 . "escape," a descriptivetitle for one of David's
men. Transliteration: Palti Phonetic Spelling: (pal-tee') Short Definition: Paltite...
4677. Metsobayah -- descriptivetitle for one of David's men
... Metsobayah. 4678 . descriptivetitle for one of David's men. Transliteration:
Metsobayah Phonetic Spelling: (mets-o-baw-yaw') Short Definition: Mezobaite....
7886. Shiloh -- perhaps "he whose it is," a Messianictitle
... 7885, 7886. Shiloh. 7887 . perhaps "he whose it is," a Messianictitle.
Transliteration: Shiloh Phonetic Spelling: (shee-lo') Short Definition: Shiloh....
3837c. labben -- perhaps "to the son," part of a psalmtitle.
... labben. 3838 . perhaps "to the son," part of a psalmtitle.... Word Origin of uncertain
derivation Definition perhaps "to the son," part of a psalmtitle....
5161. Nechelami -- descriptivetitle for a false prophet
... Nechelami. 5162 . descriptivetitle for a false prophet. Transliteration: Nechelami
Phonetic Spelling: (nekh-el-aw-mee') Short Definition: Nehelamite....
2967. tarpelaye -- official (a Pers.title)
... official (a Pers.title). Transliteration: tarpelaye Phonetic Spelling:
(tar-pel-ah'-ee) Short Definition: officials....title) NASB Word Usage officials (1)....
Library
Title and Position.
... Part II. THE SONG OF THE THREE HOLY CHILDRENTITLE AND POSITION.TITLE. Forming...
give the Song, in that place, no independenttitle. It...
Title and Position.
... Part III. THE HISTORY OF SUSANNATITLE AND POSITION.TITLE.... [29] Horasis also
occurs in thetitle of Holmes and Parsons' cursive 235....
Title and Position.
... Part IV. THE HISTORY OF BEL AND THE DRAGONTITLE AND POSITION.TITLE. Bel kai
Drakon is the usualtitle of this booklet. It is obviously...
TheTitle of the Book.
... THETITLE OF THE BOOK. Our next evidence is thetitle given to the book by the Holy
Spirit who inspired it.... John the Divine," which is man'stitle for it....
TheTitle on the Cross
... THETITLE ON THE CROSS. 'Pilate wrote atitle also, and put it on the cross.'
"John 19:19. Thistitle is recorded by all four Evangelists...
Title Clear.
... Ts'hayilth Staylim 7TITLE CLEAR.... ENGLISH. When I can read mytitle clear To mansions
in the skies, I'll bid farewell to every fear, And wipe my weeping eyes....
TheTitle of the Book.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. TheTitle of the Book. "The Revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants...
Title Index
...Title Index. * [1]Almost Christian, The (Sermon 2)"Acts 26:28 * [2]Awake,
Thou That Sleepest (Sermon 3)"Ephesians 5:14 * [3]Call...
Import of theTitle Son of Man, as Used by Christ Himself...
... Section 59. Import of theTitle Son of Man, as used by Christ himself"
Rejection of Alexandrian and other Analogies. Christ must...
How theTitle of Saviour is Given to Christ in one Sense, and to...
... Book IV. Chapter XII. How thetitle of Saviour is given to Christ in one
sense, and to men in another. "Thou," he says, "art our...
Thesaurus
Title (6 Occurrences)... constitutes a just cause of exclusive possession; that which is the foundation of
ownership of property, real or personal; a right; as, a good
title to an
...Apostles (79 Occurrences)
... ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. a-pos'-ls: I.TITLE II. TEXT III.... ANALYSIS LITERATURE I.Title.
It is possible, indeed probable, that the book originally had notitle....
Songs (100 Occurrences)
... anabathmon; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) canticum graduum, the Revised
Version (British and American) "a song of ascents"): Thetitle prefixed to...
Baal (94 Occurrences)
... 25-29. The sun-god, under the generaltitle of Baal, or "lord," was the
chief object of worship of the Canaanites. Each locality...
Nazarene (19 Occurrences)
... may be inimical. 1. An HonourableTitle: On the lips of Christ's friends
and followers, it is an honorable name. Thus Matthew sees...
Rab-saris (3 Occurrences)
... rab'-sa-ris (rabh-caric): As with Rab-mag, which is not regarded as a name, but
atitle, so this is to be regarded as a descriptivetitle for the person whose...
Rabsaris (3 Occurrences)
... rab'-sa-ris (rabh-caric): As with Rab-mag, which is not regarded as a name, but
atitle, so this is to be regarded as a descriptivetitle for the person whose...
Prince (160 Occurrences)
... Thetitle generally applied to the chief men of the state.... 3. (n.) Atitle belonging
to persons of high rank, differing in different countries....
Procurator
... But after the systematic organization of the administration in the 2nd century,
thetitle of procurator was reserved for functionaries of the equestrian class....
Rabbi (51 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary My master, atitle of dignity given by the Jews to
their doctors of the law and their distinguished teachers....
Resources
Should the title of "reverend" be given to a church leader? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is Ezekiel called son of man if it is a title for Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgIs Yeshua Hamashiach the proper Hebrew name/title for Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.orgTitle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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