In biblical terminology, the term "consigned" often refers to the act of delivering or committing someone or something to a particular fate or condition, often with a sense of finality or judgment. This concept is frequently associated with divine judgment or the allocation of individuals to specific outcomes based on their actions or faith.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of being consigned is often linked to God's judgment upon nations or individuals. For example, in the prophetic literature, God consigns nations to destruction due to their wickedness and rebellion against Him. The prophets frequently speak of God delivering or consigning people to the consequences of their sins. This is seen in the context of the Babylonian exile, where the Israelites were consigned to captivity as a result of their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of consigning is closely related to the final judgment and the eternal destinies of individuals. Jesus speaks of the separation of the righteous and the wicked, where the wicked are consigned to eternal punishment. In Matthew 25:41 , Jesus says, "Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’" This passage illustrates the finality and seriousness of being consigned to a particular fate based on one's response to God's call.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the idea of being consigned in his epistles. In Romans 11:32 , Paul writes, "For God has consigned all men to disobedience, so that He may have mercy on them all." Here, the term is used to describe humanity's universal state of sinfulness, which ultimately serves to highlight God's mercy and grace through Jesus Christ.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of being consigned underscores the sovereignty and justice of God. It reflects the biblical teaching that God, as the righteous judge, has the authority to determine the destinies of individuals and nations. This is consistent with the biblical narrative that emphasizes both God's justice in dealing with sin and His mercy in providing a means of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The notion of being consigned also serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance and faith. It calls believers to live in accordance with God's will, knowing that their actions have eternal significance. The idea that individuals can be consigned to either eternal life or eternal punishment reinforces the urgency of the gospel message and the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Practical Application

For believers, understanding the concept of being consigned encourages a life of holiness and obedience. It serves as a motivation to share the gospel with others, knowing that eternal destinies are at stake. Additionally, it provides comfort in the assurance that God is just and that He will ultimately set all things right, consigning evil to its rightful end and rewarding the faithful with eternal life in His presence.(imp. & p. p.) of Consign.

Whether the Souls who are in Heaven or Hell are Able to Go from ...
... First, that he goes from thence simply, so that heaven or hell be no longer his
place: and in this way no one who is finally consigned to hell or heaven can go ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the souls who are.htm

Epistle Xliv. To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily.
... We thank thy Solicitude for that, after I had enjoined thee, in the business of
my brother, to send him back his money, thou hast so consigned the matter to ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xliv to peter subdeacon.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... The Gerandryon, [877] once regarded sacred in the midst of desert sands, and the
oracle there gone to decay with the oak itself, consigned to the region of ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

The Examination and Rewarding of the Believer's Works.
... the sheep and the goats;" that those whose names are found written in the book of
life will pass into Heaven, and that the wicked will be consigned to the Lake ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/5 the examination and rewarding.htm

The Answer to the Objection Raised.
... moment He is prayed to, is wont to grant to our errors, but by a lifelong affliction
of penitence and penal sorrow, or else will be hereafter consigned to the ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xv the answer to.htm

Whether Suffrages Profit those who are in Purgatory?
... to Objection 1: The words quoted refer to those who are in the hell of the damned,
where there is no redemption for those who are finally consigned to that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether suffrages profit those who 2.htm

Whether Temporal Goods Should be Foregone on Account of Scandal?
... I answer that, A distinction must be made in temporal goods: for either they are
ours, or they are consigned to us to take care of them for someone else; thus ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether temporal goods should be.htm

Whether Limbo is the Same as the Hell of the Damned?
... For those who are in hell receive diverse punishments according to the diversity
of their guilt, so that those who are condemned are consigned to darker and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether limbo is the same.htm

Whether There is a Purgatory after this Life?
... sin to eternal punishment. Now those who die in mortal sin are forthwith
consigned to eternal punishment. Therefore those who die ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is a purgatory.htm

Of the Persons by Whom, and the Uses for Which, Ecclesiastical ...
... and for no other objects than the above-named, lest those should incur the guilt
of sacrilege who divert it from the hands to which it was consigned, and lest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii of the persons by.htm

Consigned (5 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Consign. Multi-Version Concordance Consigned (5 Occurrences). Romans
11:32 For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all. ...
/c/consigned.htm - 7k

Consign (2 Occurrences)

/c/consign.htm - 7k

Readiness (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:4 For God did not spare angels when they had sinned, but hurling them
down to Tartarus consigned them to caves of darkness, keeping them in readiness ...
/r/readiness.htm - 11k

Damned (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Damn. 2. (a.) Sentenced to punishment in a future state; condemned;
consigned to perdition. 3. (a.) Hateful; detestable; abominable. ...
/d/damned.htm - 7k

Caves (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:4 For God did not spare angels when they had sinned, but hurling them
down to Tartarus consigned them to caves of darkness, keeping them in readiness ...
/c/caves.htm - 11k

Advance (33 Occurrences)
... other value, before it becomes due, or in aid of an enterprise; to supply beforehand;
as, a merchant advances money on a contract or on goods consigned to him. ...
/a/advance.htm - 17k

John (154 Occurrences)
... beheaded. His disciples, having consigned the headless body to the grave,
went and told Jesus all that had occurred (Matthew 14:3-12). ...
/j/john.htm - 101k

Judgement (68 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:4 For God did not spare angels when they had sinned, but hurling them
down to Tartarus consigned them to caves of darkness, keeping them in readiness ...
/j/judgement.htm - 26k

Keeping (282 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:4 For God did not spare angels when they had sinned, but hurling them
down to Tartarus consigned them to caves of darkness, keeping them in readiness ...
/k/keeping.htm - 36k

Hurling (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:4 For God did not spare angels when they had sinned, but hurling them
down to Tartarus consigned them to caves of darkness, keeping them in readiness ...
/h/hurling.htm - 7k

What is the definition of anathema? | GotQuestions.org

What will happen when Jesus returns / comes back? | GotQuestions.org

What are all the different judgments in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Consigned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus