Lexical Summary horizó: To determine, appoint, designate, or set boundaries. Original Word: ὁρίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance declare, determine, limit, ordain. From horion; to mark out or bound ("horizon"), i.e. (figuratively) to appoint, decree, specify -- declare, determine, limit, ordain. see GREEK horion HELPS Word-studies 3724 horízō (from horos, "boundary, limit") – properly, to set boundaries (limits) – literally, "determine horizons" (boundaries). 3724 /horízō ("designate limits, boundaries") refers to the Lord (literally) "horizoning" all the physical scenes of life before creation. This guarantees God works each in conjunction with His eternal purpose (providence, see 4286 /próthesis). [The English term "horizon" ("horizoning") comes from 3724 (horízō), "to set limits." 4309 /proorízō ("pre-horizon, pre-determine") emphasizes God's eternality with its correlations, as operating in His perfect wisdom, absolute foreknowledge, etc.).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as horion Definition to mark off by boundaries, to determine NASB Translation appointed (2), declared (1), determined (3), fixes (1), predetermined (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3724: ὁρίζωὁρίζω; 1 aorist ὡρισα; passive, perfect participle ὡρισμένος; 1 aorist participle ὁρισθεις; (from ὅρος a boundary, limit); from (Aeschylus and) Herodotus down; to define; i. e. 1. to mark out the boundaries or limits (of any place or thing): Herodotus, Xenophon, Thucydides, others; Numbers 34:6; Joshua 13:27. 2. to determine, appoint: with an accusative of the thing, ἡμέραν, Hebrews 4:7; καιρούς, Acts 17:26 (numerous examples from Greek authors are given in Bleek, Hebrew-Br. 2:1, p. 538f); passive ὡρισμένος, 'determinate,' settled, Acts 2:23; τό ὡρισμένον, that which hath been determined, according to appointment, decree, Luke 22:22; with an accusative of person Acts 17:31 (ᾧ by attraction for ὅν (Winers Grammar, § 24, 1; Buttmann, § 143, 8)); passive with a predicate nominative, Romans 1:4 (for although Christ was the Son of God before his resurrection, yet he was openly appointed (A. V. declared) such among men by this transcendent and crowning event); ὁρίζω, to ordain, determine, appoint, Acts 10:42; followed by an infinitive Acts 11:29 (Sophocles from 19 d. (i. e. Aegeus (539), viii., p. 8, Brunck edition)). (Compare: ἀφορίζω, ἀποδιορίζω, πρωρίζω.) The verb behind Strong’s 3724 conveys the notion of fixing limits or appointing outcomes. In Scripture it consistently portrays God—or those acting under His direction—as marking out what must occur. Whether the subject is the destiny of the Messiah, the rise and fall of nations, or a collection for famine relief, the emphasis lies on purposeful, authoritative decision rather than random chance. Occurrences at a Glance • Acts 2:23 – God’s set plan for the crucifixion God’s Sovereign Redemptive Plan Acts 2:23 declares, “He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge”. The cross, therefore, was not a tragic accident but the precise outworking of divine intention. Luke 22:22 underscores the same truth: “The Son of Man will go as it has been determined.” These verses anchor the doctrine that salvation history unfolds according to a decree that is at once certain and good, leaving no room for speculation that redemption could fail. Christ’s Appointment and Identity Three texts link the verb to Jesus’ offices: Together they show that Christ’s roles as Judge and Son are not honorary titles earned along the way but aspects of a divine appointment rooted in eternity. Divine Governance of Nations Acts 17:26 states, “He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” Paul presents God as the Lord of history, apportioning epochs and geography so that “men would seek Him.” Human migrations, empires, and even modern geopolitics lie within boundaries He drew long ago, assuring believers that world events never escape His plan. Eschatological Certainty The fixed “day” of Acts 17:31 guarantees that history is moving toward a climactic reckoning. Because the Judge is already selected and validated by resurrection, the outcome is non-negotiable. This certainty motivates evangelism and holy living, knowing that present choices echo into a day already circled on God’s calendar. Human Decision within Divine Determination Acts 11:29 uses the same verb for a congregational decision: “the disciples… decided to send relief.” Their free and compassionate choice operates inside a larger divine storyline. Scripture thereby balances sovereignty and responsibility: God determines ends, yet employs willing human agents to accomplish them. A Persistent Call to Response Hebrews 4:7 highlights God “again designat[ing] a certain day—‘Today.’” By fixing a perpetual “Today,” the Lord invites every generation to enter His rest. Determination here does not negate invitation; it secures it. The appointed offer remains open, and refusal carries real consequence. Historical Reception Early church fathers appealed to these texts to defend the deity of Christ and the certainty of final judgment. Reformers later cited them to affirm providence over against fatalism, insisting that divine determination never nullifies means, prayer, or preaching. Ministry and Pastoral Implications 1. Assurance: Believers rest in a salvation planned and secured by God Himself. Summary Strong’s 3724 reveals a God who marks out every boundary of redemptive history, from the cross to the consummation. His determinations exalt Christ, govern nations, and summon every heart to faith and obedience, ensuring that nothing in heaven or on earth lies outside His purposeful, loving decree. Englishman's Concordance Luke 22:22 V-RPM/P-ANSGRK: κατὰ τὸ ὡρισμένον πορεύεται πλὴν NAS: as it has been determined; but woe KJV: goeth, as it was determined: but woe INT: according to what has been determined goes but Acts 2:23 V-RPM/P-DFS Acts 10:42 V-RPM/P-NMS Acts 11:29 V-AIA-3P Acts 17:26 V-APA-NMS Acts 17:31 V-AIA-3S Romans 1:4 V-APP-GMS Hebrews 4:7 V-PIA-3S Strong's Greek 3724 |
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