The term "pertain" is used in the Bible to denote belonging, relevance, or association with a particular subject, person, or group. It often signifies the relationship between objects, duties, or laws and those to whom they are applicable or relevant. In the context of Scripture, "pertain" helps to clarify the boundaries and responsibilities set by God for His people.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the concept of things that "pertain" to certain individuals or groups is often related to the laws and commandments given by God. For example, in Deuteronomy 22:5 , it is written, "A woman must not wear men's clothing, and a man must not wear women's clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God." This verse highlights the idea of specific roles and distinctions that pertain to men and women, emphasizing the importance of maintaining God-ordained boundaries.

The Levitical laws also contain numerous instances where certain duties or items pertain to the priests or the Levites. For instance, Numbers 18:7 states, "But only you and your sons may perform the priestly duties and everything pertaining to the altar and inside the veil; I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift." Here, the priestly duties and the sacred items associated with the altar are said to pertain specifically to Aaron and his descendants, underscoring the exclusive nature of their divine appointment.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of "pertain" is often used to describe the relationship between believers and the spiritual blessings or responsibilities they have in Christ. Hebrews 5:1 says, "Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters pertaining to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins." This verse illustrates the role of the high priest as one who deals with matters that pertain to God, acting as a mediator between God and humanity.

The Apostle Paul also uses the term in Romans 9:4 to describe the privileges of the Israelites: "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises." Here, Paul lists the spiritual and covenantal blessings that pertain to the Israelites, highlighting their unique relationship with God.

Theological Implications

The use of "pertain" in Scripture underscores the importance of understanding one's role and responsibilities within the framework of God's divine order. It reflects the biblical principle that God has established specific roles, duties, and blessings for individuals and groups, which are to be respected and adhered to. This concept is foundational to maintaining the order and harmony that God intends for His creation.

In a broader theological sense, the idea of things that "pertain" to certain individuals or groups can be seen as a reflection of God's sovereignty and His purposeful design for humanity. It calls believers to recognize and fulfill their God-given roles, whether in the family, the church, or society, in accordance with His will and commandments.1. (v. i.) To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltiness pertains to the ocean; flowers pertain to plant life.

2. (v. i.) To have relation or reference to something.

982. biotikos -- pertaining to life
... pertaining to daily life. From a derivative of bioo; relating to the present existence
-- of (pertaining to, things that pertain to) this life. see GREEK bioo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/982.htm - 6k

3348. metecho -- to partake of, share in
... partake, take part, use. From meta and echo; to share or participate; by implication,
belong to, eat (or drink) -- be partaker, pertain, take part, use. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3348.htm - 7k

4314. pros -- advantageous for, at (denotes local proximity) ...
... about, according to, against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by,
for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4314.htm - 8k

1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
... X altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to
pass), do, faint, fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit (one-)self ...
/hebrew/1961.htm - 8k

Whether the Moral virtues Pertain to the Contemplative Life?
... OF THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the moral virtues pertain
to the contemplative life? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the moral virtues pertain.htm

Truth and Reality Pertain to Christians Alone the Heathen ...
... Book I. Chapter XX."Truth and Reality Pertain to Christians Alone The Heathen
Counselled to Examine and Embrace It. How long therefore ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xx truth and reality pertain.htm

That it Does not Pertain to Princes to Choose a Bishop.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon III. That it does not pertain to princes to
choose a Bishop. That it does not pertain to princes to choose a Bishop. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon iii that it does.htm

To God Pertain the Issues of Life and Death.
... 530. " To God pertain the issues of Life and Death. 530. LM Doddridge. To God
pertain the issues of Life and Death. 1 Sovereign of life! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/530 to god pertain.htm

Whether all the Actions of the Moral virtues Pertain to the Active ...
... OF THE ACTIVE LIFE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether all the actions of the moral
virtues pertain to the active life? Objection 1: It would ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all the actions of.htm

There Remain those Branches of Knowledge which Pertain not to the ...
... Book 2 Chapter 48. There remain those branches of knowledge which pertain
not to the bodily senses? 48. There remain those branches ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 48 there remain those.htm

He Returns to the Mosaic Laws, and Proves that they were Figures ...
... Chapter XL."He returns to the Mosaic laws, and proves that they were figures
of the things which pertain to Christ. "The mystery ...
/.../chapter xl he returns to the.htm

Whether the Nature of the Ceremonial Precepts Consists in their ...
... Nor are they judicial precepts; since they do not pertain to the pronouncing of
judgment between man and man. Therefore they are ceremonial precepts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the nature of the.htm

This, You Will Say, is Ridiculous, Whereas all Profess to Hold and ...
... open a fount of teaching. You answer, What could be said, that should pertain
more to their praise? It is not so. For this they do ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 21 this you will.htm

Whether Apostasy Pertains to Unbelief?
... Objection 1: It would seem that apostasy does not pertain to unbelief. For ...
apostate. Therefore apostasy does not pertain to unbelief. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether apostasy pertains to unbelief.htm

Pertain (9 Occurrences)
... connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.;
to appertain; as, saltiness pertains to the ocean; flowers pertain to plant ...
/p/pertain.htm - 9k

Pertained (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Pertain. Multi-Version Concordance
Pertained (18 Occurrences). Numbers 31:43 (Now the half ...
/p/pertained.htm - 12k

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:20 But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of
peace-offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that ...
/p/peace-offering.htm - 21k

Peace-offerings (82 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:20 but the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of
peace-offerings, that pertain unto Jehovah, having his uncleanness upon him, that ...
/p/peace-offerings.htm - 33k

Discrepancies
... 3. Synopsis of the Argument: Alleged discrepancies pertain (1) to statements of
specific, concrete facts, and (2) to the utterance of principles and doctrines. ...
/d/discrepancies.htm - 20k

Pertaining (17 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Pertain. Multi-Version Concordance ... 1 Corinthians 6:3 Don't you know
that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? ...
/p/pertaining.htm - 11k

Lie (291 Occurrences)
... 9. (adj.) To be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place;
to consist; -- with in. 10. (adj.) To lodge; to sleep. 11. ...
/l/lie.htm - 48k

Godliness (16 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 1:3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain
to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own ...
/g/godliness.htm - 12k

Glorying (27 Occurrences)
... you. (WEY). Romans 15:17 I have therefore cause for glorying through Jesus
Christ, in those things which pertain to God. (WBS). 1 ...
/g/glorying.htm - 14k

Whereof (94 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Romans 15:17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus
Christ in those things which pertain to God. (KJV DBY). ...
/w/whereof.htm - 36k

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