Consecrating, in the biblical context, refers to the act of setting apart a person, place, or object for the service and worship of God. This act is deeply rooted in the Old and New Testaments, where it signifies dedication to the divine and the sanctification of the ordinary for holy purposes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, consecration is a significant theme, particularly in the context of the priesthood and the tabernacle. The Hebrew word often translated as "consecrate" is "qadash," which means to be set apart or made holy. The process of consecration involved specific rituals and offerings, as outlined in the Mosaic Law.

For instance, the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests is detailed in Exodus 29. The ceremony included washing, anointing with oil, and the offering of sacrifices. Exodus 29:9 states, "And you shall gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and put headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. So you shall ordain Aaron and his sons."

The tabernacle and its furnishings were also consecrated. In Exodus 40:9-10 , God commands, "Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of consecration shifts focus from physical objects and rituals to the spiritual dedication of believers. The Greek word "hagiazō" is often used, meaning to make holy or sanctify. Believers are called to consecrate themselves to God, living lives that reflect their holy calling.

Romans 12:1 exhorts believers, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This verse highlights the personal and spiritual nature of consecration in the life of a Christian.

Jesus Christ Himself is seen as the ultimate example of consecration. In John 17:19 , He says, "For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth." His life and sacrifice set the standard for believers to follow.

Consecration in Worship and Practice

Consecration remains a vital aspect of Christian worship and practice. It is often associated with the sacraments, such as baptism and communion, where individuals and elements are set apart for holy purposes. The act of consecration is a reminder of the believer's call to holiness and dedication to God's service.

In summary, consecration in the Bible encompasses both the ritualistic dedication of objects and people in the Old Testament and the spiritual dedication of believers in the New Testament. It underscores the importance of holiness and the setting apart of one's life for the glory of God.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Consecrate.

Whether it is Lawful for a Priest to Refrain Entirely from ...
... OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful for a
priest to refrain entirely from consecrating the Eucharist? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 18.htm

Whether the Form of the Consecration of the Bread Accomplishes Its ...
... If, then, the words for consecrating the bread were to produce their effect before
the consecration of the wine, it would follow that Christ's body would be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the form of the.htm

Whether a Degraded Priest Can Consecrate this Sacrament?
... For no one can perform this sacrament except he have the power of consecrating. ... But
the bishop in ordaining gives to the priest the power of consecrating. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a degraded priest can.htm

Whether Several Priests Can Consecrate one and the Same Host?
... But the power of a priest consecrating is not less than that of a man baptizing.
Therefore, several priests cannot consecrate one host at the same time. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether several priests can consecrate.htm

Concerning the Ranks of the Initiated.
... Wherefore the Divine institution accorded them a consecrating grace, and deemed
them worthy of a certain hallowing invocation"not hierarchical"for that is ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput vi i concerning the.htm

Whether the Defects Occurring During the Celebration of this ...
... Consequently it seems impossible to observe the Church's statute, whereby the
priest consecrating must communicate of his own sacrifice. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the defects occurring during.htm

Whether this is the Form of this Sacrament: "This is My Body," and ...
... But even this will not hold good, because the priest in consecrating uses these
words, not as spoken in secret, but as openly pronounced. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this is the form.htm

Meditation vi. The Last Pasch.
... Fire had already been lighted there, and Jesus poured some blood upon the hearth,
consecrating it as an altar; and the remainder of the blood and the fat were ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/meditation vi the last pasch.htm

That to Churches Consecrated Without any Deposit of the Reliques ...
... And if any bishop from this time forward is found consecrating a temple without
holy relics, he shall be deposed, as a transgressor of the ecclesiastical ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon vii that to churches.htm

Whether the Words Spoken in this Sacrament are Properly Framed?
... But in consecrating this sacrament words are used which are not set down in the
Gospels: for we do not read in the Gospel, of Christ lifting up His eyes to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the words spoken in.htm

Consecrating (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Consecrate. Multi-Version
Concordance Consecrating (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 29 ...
/c/consecrating.htm - 8k

Consecration (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The act or ceremony of consecrating; the state of
being consecrated; dedication. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/c/consecration.htm - 18k

Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of consecrating for ministry, appointing,
or setting apart; the state of being ordained, appointed, etc. ...
/o/ordination.htm - 19k

Tithe (30 Occurrences)
... and of the service of God be greater now than in Old Testament times, then Christians
outght to go beyond the ancient Hebrew in consecrating both themselves ...
/t/tithe.htm - 28k

Dedication (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of consecrating to a divine Being, or to a sacred use, often with
religious solemnities; solemn appropriation; as, the dedication of Solomon's ...
/d/dedication.htm - 15k

Bless (174 Occurrences)
... James Version, where it is written, "And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed
it." Here the good consists in the setting apart and consecrating of that ...
/b/bless.htm - 46k

Ceremony (3 Occurrences)
... of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of
crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church ...
/c/ceremony.htm - 8k

Consecrateth (5 Occurrences)

/c/consecrateth.htm - 8k

Corner-stone (10 Occurrences)
... Under this important stone of temples, or other great structures, bodies of children
or older persons would be laid, consecrating the building by such human ...
/c/corner-stone.htm - 13k

Cornerstone (13 Occurrences)
... Under this important stone of temples, or other great structures, bodies of children
or older persons would be laid, consecrating the building by such human ...
/c/cornerstone.htm - 14k

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