choose, ordain

Concise Bible Dictionary:

In the Old Testament there are eleven words so translated, with a variety of meanings and applications. God ordained the moon and the stars (Psa. 8:3³When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; (Psalm 8:3)). Jeroboam ordained priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made (2 Chron. 11:15¹⁵And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. (2 Chronicles 11:15)). None of God’s priests or prophets were ordained, in the sense now understood by that word, as inducting into some spiritual place, with power and authority imparted by man. In Jeremiah 1:5⁵Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5), where God said to the prophet, “I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations,” the word translated “ordained” is nathan, which means simply “to give,” as in the margin. See also 2 Kings 23:5⁵And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. (2 Kings 23:5).

In the New Testament there are ten words translated “ordain.” The passages that might seem to have some reference to the impartation of a sacerdotal supremacy are:

1. Christ ordained his twelve apostles (Mark 3:14¹⁴And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, (Mark 3:14)). Here the word is ποιέω, “to do, make.”

2. Matthias was ordained to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:22²²Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:22)): γίγνομαι, “to become.”

3. Paul ordained elders in every city (Acts 14:23²³And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23)): χειροτονέω, “to appoint by stretching out the hand”: this is translated “chosen” in 2 Corinthians 8:19¹⁹And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: (2 Corinthians 8:19).

4. Paul said, “I am ordained a preacher and an apostle” (1 Tim. 2:7⁷Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. (1 Timothy 2:7)): τίθημι, “to put, place” (compare John 15:16¹⁶Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)).

5. Elders ordained, and high priests ordained (Titus 1:5⁵For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5); Heb. 5:1¹For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: (Hebrews 5:1); Heb. 8:3³For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. (Hebrews 8:3)): καθίσημι, “to place, appoint.” The meanings of the Greek words show that, though elders were appointed by the apostles and were called “bishops,” there was no sacerdotal power conveyed thereby, nor was any authority to continue such appointments handed down.

Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:

Number:

5500 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Greek:

χειροτονέω

Transliteration:

cheirotoneo

Phonic:

khi-rot-on-eh’-o

Meaning:

from a comparative of 5495 and τείνω (to stretch); to be a hand-reacher or voter (by raising the hand), i.e. (generally) to select or appoint

KJV Usage:

choose, ordain