Topical Encyclopedia
The term "prescribe" in a biblical context often relates to the authoritative setting forth of rules, commands, or instructions, particularly those given by God or His appointed leaders. While the specific word "prescribe" may not frequently appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's sovereign will and the order He establishes for His people.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Divine Commandments: The Bible is replete with instances where God prescribes laws and commandments to His people. These prescriptions are not merely suggestions but are binding instructions meant to guide the moral and spiritual conduct of the Israelites. For example, in
Deuteronomy 6:1-2 , Moses relays God's commandments, statutes, and ordinances to Israel, emphasizing the importance of observing them: "These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged."
2.
Prophetic Instructions: Prophets in the Old Testament often delivered God's prescribed messages to the people, calling them to repentance and adherence to God's laws. These messages were not optional but were divinely mandated. In
Jeremiah 7:23 , God prescribes obedience as a condition for His blessing: "But this is what I commanded them: ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. Walk in all the ways I have commanded you, that it may go well with you.’"
3.
Apostolic Teachings: In the New Testament, the apostles, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, prescribe teachings and instructions for the early church. These teachings form the foundation of Christian doctrine and practice. For instance, in
1 Timothy 4:11 , Paul instructs Timothy: "Prescribe and teach these things." Here, Paul is urging Timothy to authoritatively set forth the teachings that align with sound doctrine.
4.
Moral and Ethical Prescriptions: The Bible also contains numerous moral and ethical prescriptions that guide believers in righteous living. These include instructions on love, justice, mercy, and humility.
Micah 6:8 encapsulates this: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of prescribing in the Bible underscores the authority of God and His Word. It reflects the belief that God, as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, has the right to establish the rules by which His creation should live. These divine prescriptions are intended for the well-being of humanity, guiding them toward a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, understanding and adhering to the prescriptions found in Scripture is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It involves a commitment to studying the Bible, discerning God's will, and applying His instructions in daily life. The prescribed way of living is not burdensome but is designed to lead to a fulfilling and abundant life in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct.
2. (v. t.) To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as, the doctor prescribed quinine.
3. (v. i.) To give directions; to dictate.
4. (v. i.) To influence by long use
5. (v. i.) To write or to give medical directions; to indicate remedies; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever.
6. (v. i.) To claim by prescription; to claim a title to a thing on the ground of immemorial use and enjoyment, that is, by a custom having the force of law.
Greek
1299. diatasso -- to arrange thoroughly, ie to charge, appoint... charge, appoint. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diatasso Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-at-as'-so) Short Definition: I give orders to,
prescribe Definition: I
...3853. paraggello -- to transmit a message, to order
... 2), gave (1), give...order (1), give instructions (1), giving...instruction (1),
instruct (2), instructed (3), instructing (3), ordered (3),Prescribe (2)....
4384. protasso -- appoint beforehand
... Word Origin variant reading for prostasso, qv. appoint beforehand From pro and tasso;
to pre-arrange, iePrescribe -- before appoint. see GREEK pro....
4929. suntasso -- to arrange (together)
... suntasso Phonetic Spelling: (soon-tas-so) Short Definition: I arrange with, direct,
appoint Definition: I arrange with, direct, appoint,prescribe, ordain....
1379. dogmatizo -- to decree, to subject oneself to an ordinance
... be subject to ordinances. From dogma; toprescribe by statute, ie (reflexively)
to submit to, ceremonially rule -- be subject to ordinances. see GREEK dogma....
4270. prographo -- to write before
... From pro and grapho; to write previously; figuratively, to announce,prescribe --
before ordain, evidently set forth, write (afore, aforetime). see GREEK pro....
Strong's Hebrew
3789. kathab -- to write... describe, record,
prescribe, subscribe, writing,. A primitive root; to grave,
by implication, to write (describe, inscribe,
prescribe...2710. chaqaq -- to cut in, inscribe, decree
... 5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone
or metal tablets in primitive times) or (gen.)Prescribe -- appoint, decree...
Library
Whether the New Law Ought toPrescribe or Prohibit any External...
... OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE CONTAINED IN THE NEW LAW (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the
New Law ought toprescribe or prohibit any external acts?...
Whether Human Law Prescribes Acts of all the virtues?
... Objection 1: It would seem that human law does notprescribe acts of all the virtues....
Therefore human law does notprescribe all acts of virtue....
The Explanation of the Passage Offered by the Psychics Considered.
... For that which he prescribes to certain (individuals) he does notprescribe to all."
Does it then follow, too, that to bishops alone he does notprescribe what...
Further Replies to those who Object to Rebuke.
... But wherefore do they, who are unwilling be rebuked, say, "Onlyprescribe to me,
and pray for me that I may do what youprescribe?" Why do they not rather, in...
I am Told, to Take Another Point, that one of his Followers...
... in this question, through the mercy of Christ; but that I made answer to my brethren
when they asked me for my opinion, not intending toprescribe for others...
On the Precepts of Divine Worship in General
... For they instruct and inform the worshiper, and theyprescribe the matter,
form and end of the worship. II. In the precepts which...
The Work of Our Sanctification.
... to go. The same rule holds good for all the precepts laid down; that is
to say for all those whichprescribe certain duties. Only...
Whether Love to God Ought to have a Mode
... A doctor does notprescribe any limit for health, which he makes as perfect
as he can. But he doesprescribe a limit for medicine....
The Fast must not be Broken on the Fifth Day of the Last Week In.....
... And, therefore, he did notprescribe the order in which it was to be observed,
reserving this to be done by the Apostles, through whom he intended to arrange...
Whether it is Fittingly Commanded that Man Should Love God with...
... Reply to Objection 1: The commandment that prescribes an act of virtue does not
prescribe the mode which that virtue derives from another and higher virtue...
Thesaurus
Prescribe (3 Occurrences)... 5. (vi) To write or to give medical directions; to indicate remedies; as, to
prescribe for a patient in a fever.
...Prescribe (3 Occurrences).
...Prescribed (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofPrescribe. Multi-Version Concordance
Prescribed (31 Occurrences). Luke 1:8 Now while he...
Presbytery (1 Occurrence)
Ordain (13 Occurrences)
... (3) To decree, give orders,prescribe: "And doth the power that man adores Ordain
their doom"-Byron. So Esther 9:27, "The Jews ordained.......
Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... (3) To decree, give orders,prescribe: "And doth the power that man adores Ordain
their doom"-Byron. So Esther 9:27, "The Jews ordained.......
Iniquitous (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Isaiah 10:1 Woe unto them that decree iniquitous decrees, and to
the writers thatprescribe oppression, (DBY RSV). Habakkuk...
Determine (13 Occurrences)
... end; to finish. 3. (vt) To fix the form or character of; to shape; to
prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle. 4. (vt) To...
Physician (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one duty authorized to
prescribe remedies for, and treat, diseases; a doctor of medicine....
Bid (35 Occurrences)
... to six Hebrew and as many Greek originals: (1) "to command" (Numbers 14:10 Matthew
1:24 the King James Version, prostasso); (2) "toprescribe" or "order" (John...
Appoint (114 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To fix by a decree, order, command, resolve, decision, or mutual agreement;
to constitute; to ordain; toprescribe; to fix the time and place of....
Resources
Should a Christian see a psychologist / psychiatrist? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that a biblical passage is descriptive rather than prescriptive? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Ethiopian Orthodox Church? | GotQuestions.orgPrescribe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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