In the context of biblical literature, the term "dictate" refers to the act of speaking or commanding with authority, often implying a divine or authoritative source. The concept of dictation is significant in understanding how God's will and commandments are communicated to humanity, as well as how leaders and prophets convey divine messages.

Divine Dictation

The Bible often portrays God as the ultimate authority whose words and commands are to be followed without question. This is evident in the way God communicates His laws and decrees to His people. For instance, in the giving of the Ten Commandments, God directly dictates His laws to Moses on Mount Sinai. Exodus 31:18 states, "When He had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God." This passage underscores the direct and authoritative nature of God's communication.

Prophetic Dictation

Prophets in the Bible often serve as conduits for God's messages, receiving divine dictation to deliver to the people. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, is instructed by God to write down His words. Jeremiah 30:2 records, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.'" This highlights the role of prophets as scribes of divine revelation, ensuring that God's words are accurately conveyed and preserved.

Apostolic Dictation

In the New Testament, the apostles also act under divine inspiration, often dictating letters and teachings to the early church. The Apostle Paul, in particular, is known for his epistles, which are considered authoritative teachings for Christian doctrine. In 1 Corinthians 14:37 , Paul asserts, "If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command." This reflects the belief that apostolic writings are not merely human opinions but are divinely inspired and authoritative.

Human Authority and Dictation

While divine dictation is a central theme, the Bible also addresses the concept of human authority and the potential for misuse of dictatorial power. In Matthew 20:25-26 , Jesus warns His disciples about the dangers of authoritarian leadership: "But Jesus called them aside and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.'" This teaching emphasizes servant leadership as opposed to oppressive dictation.

Conclusion

The concept of dictation in the Bible encompasses both divine and human authority, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands while cautioning against the misuse of power. Through divine dictation, God's will is made known to humanity, while prophetic and apostolic dictation ensures the transmission of His message across generations.1. (v. t.) To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis.

2. (v. t.) To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops.

3. (v. i.) To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on).

4. (v. i.) To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another.

5. (n.) A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel.

653. apostomatizo -- to catechize, ie to question
... From apo and a (presumed) derivative of stoma; to speak off-hand (properly, dictate),
ie To catechize (in an invidious manner) -- provoke to speak. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/653.htm - 6k

But Whether a Man is Going to Address the People or to Dictate ...
... Book 4 Chapter 63. But whether a man is going to address the people or
to dictate what? 63. But whether a man is going to address ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 63 but whether a.htm

Whether Religion is a virtue?
... Ethic. ii, 1, aptitude for virtue is in us by nature, wherefore things
pertaining to virtue belong to the dictate of natural reason. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether religion is a virtue.htm

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
... "The wind bloweth where it listeth" (John 3:8). You cannot dictate to the wind. ... Just
so with the Holy Spirit"He is sovereign"we cannot dictate to Him. ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter v the person and.htm

Letter xxvi. (Circa AD 1127) to the Same
... it is more laborious; since when in each other's presence we may say with little
labour what we will, but when absent we require diligently to dictate in turn ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xxvi circa a d 1127.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts were those which Directed Man in ...
... from what we have stated above ([2132]Q[95], A[2] ;[2133] Q[99], A[4]), in every
law, some precepts derive their binding force from the dictate of reason itself ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were.htm

Limiting God
... Shall mortal dare to dictate to his Creator? ... Oh heir of heaven, be ashamed and be
confounded, while I remind thee that thou hast dared to dictate to God! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/limiting god.htm

The Wandering Bird
... We may therefore take this proverb, first, as the dictate of human wisdom gathered
by long experience; and then, next, as the testimony of divine wisdom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the wandering bird.htm

Letter clxv. (AD 410. )
... wished to begin the volume of Ezekiel, and fulfil a promise frequently made to studious
readers; but at the time when I had just begun to dictate the proposed ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter clxv a d 410.htm

Whether There is a Human Law?
... he calls human. I answer that, As stated above ([1968]Q[90], A[1], ad
2), a law is a dictate of the practical reason. Now it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is a human.htm

Whether Offering a Sacrifice to God is of the Law of Nature?
... Now just as in natural things the lower are naturally subject to the higher, so
too it is a dictate of natural reason in accordance with man's natural ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether offering a sacrifice to.htm

Dictate (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose;
as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis. ...Dictate (2 Occurrences). ...
/d/dictate.htm - 7k

Indite
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To compose; to write; to be author of;
to dictate; to prompt. 2. (vt) To invite or ask. 3. (vt ...
/i/indite.htm - 7k

Prescribe (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to
impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct. ...
/p/prescribe.htm - 7k

Foot (193 Occurrences)
... It is a common dictate of good manners to perform this duty to a visitor, either
personally or through a servant; at least water for washing has to be ...
/f/foot.htm - 48k

Dictated (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Dictate. Multi-Version Concordance
Dictated (4 Occurrences). Jeremiah 36:4 Then Jeremiah ...
/d/dictated.htm - 7k

Dice-playing
Dice-playing. Diceplaying, Dice-playing. Dictate . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia ... See GAMES. Diceplaying, Dice-playing. Dictate . Reference Bible.
/d/dice-playing.htm - 6k

Prompt (2 Occurrences)
... See Prompt-note. 2. (vt) To assist or induce the action of; to move to action;
to instigate; to incite. 3. (vt) To suggest; to dictate. ...
/p/prompt.htm - 7k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... The lender had no right of entry into the borrower's house to obtain the pledge
(Deuteronomy 24:10, 11), but it is not said that he could not dictate what he ...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Saw (6047 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) imp. of See. 2. (vt) Something said; speech; discourse. 3. (n.) A saying;
a proverb; a maxim. 4. (vt) Dictate; command; decree. ...
/s/saw.htm - 7k

Sing (147 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To utter sounds with musical inflections or melodious modulations of voice,
as fancy may dictate, or according to the notes of a song or tune, or of a ...
/s/sing.htm - 36k

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