Lexical Summary diadechomai: To succeed, to receive in turn, to take over Original Word: διαδέχομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance come after. From dia and dechomai; to receive in turn, i.e. (figuratively) succeed to -- come after. see GREEK dia see GREEK dechomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and dechomai Definition to receive in turn NASB Translation received...in...turn (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1237: διαδέχομαιδιαδέχομαι: 1 aorist διεδεξαμην; properly, to receive through another anything left or bequeathed by him, to receive in succession, receive in turn, succeed to: τήν σκηνήν, the tabernacle, Acts 7:45. (τήν ἀρχήν, τήν βασιλείαν, etc., in Polybius, Diodorus, Josephus, others) (Cf. δέχομαι.) Topical Lexicon OverviewThe term refers to the orderly passing of a sacred charge from one generation to the next. Scripture portrays such succession not as a merely human arrangement but as a work of God, who sovereignly guards His covenant purposes through time. By showing that each generation “received in turn,” Scripture highlights both continuity and accountability in the plan of redemption. Biblical Usage in Acts 7:45 Acts 7:45 is the lone New Testament occurrence: “And our fathers, having received it in turn, brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David.” (Berean Standard Bible) Stephen’s sermon rehearses Israel’s history to prove that God’s presence was never confined to a place or a people’s performance. The tabernacle was handed down successively—first from Moses to Joshua, then through the generations until David. Each “receiving in turn” bore witness to God’s unbroken faithfulness while exposing Israel’s recurring unbelief. Old Testament Background 1. Moses to Joshua (Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 31:7-8). Leadership and the tabernacle duties transfer by divine appointment, underscoring that no human leader is indispensable; the mission is. Together these passages foreshadow the enduring kingdom promised to David’s Son (2 Samuel 7:12-16), revealing that every interim custodian serves a larger Messianic horizon. Theological Implications • Providence: God orchestrates leadership changes without jeopardizing His promises (Psalm 33:11). Christological Fulfillment Jesus is the perfect and final Recipient of every sacred trust. The Father “has handed all things over to the Son” (Matthew 11:27). Where previous stewards failed, He fulfills the law, inaugurates the new covenant, and bestows the Spirit so that the mission continues through the Church (John 20:21-22). Succession in Apostolic Ministry Paul embodies the principle when he instructs Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Church leaders are interim guardians who must hand on doctrinal purity and gospel zeal to reliable successors (Titus 1:5-9). Practical Ministry Applications • Leadership Development: Congregations should intentionally raise up future shepherds rather than rely on emergency replacements (Acts 14:23). Eschatological Perspective The final “succession” culminates when the kingdom is handed back to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). Until then, believers serve as interim custodians, proclaiming the gospel “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Related Scriptures Psalm 145:4; Isaiah 59:21; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 20:28-32; Hebrews 3:5-6; Hebrews 11:39-40; Jude 3. Conclusion The single New Testament appearance of this term opens a window onto a sweeping biblical pattern: God entrusts His redemptive work to successive generations, guaranteeing its success by His unchanging character. Every believer, congregation, and leader stands in that line of stewardship, called to receive the faith, guard it, and pass it on—until the day when all trust is sight and every charge is complete. Forms and Transliterations διαδεξαμενοι διαδεξάμενοι διαδεχόμενος διαδεχομένους διαδεχόμενους διάδηλοι διεδέχετο diadexamenoi diadexámenoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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