Topical Bible: Ranks

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Bible, "ranks" often refers to the organization, order, and hierarchy within various groups, whether they be military, societal, or spiritual. The concept of ranks is evident throughout Scripture, illustrating the importance of structure and authority in both earthly and heavenly realms.

Military Ranks:

The Bible frequently mentions military ranks, particularly in the Old Testament, where the organization of armies was crucial for the defense and expansion of Israel. In 1 Samuel 17:18, David is instructed by his father Jesse to "bring these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand," indicating a structured military hierarchy. Similarly, in 2 Samuel 23:8-39, the "mighty men" of David are listed, showcasing a rank of elite warriors within the army.

The New Testament also alludes to military ranks metaphorically. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul encourages Timothy to "share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus," highlighting the disciplined and hierarchical nature of spiritual warfare.

Societal Ranks:

Societal ranks are evident in the Bible, reflecting the social structures of ancient cultures. In Genesis 41:40, Pharaoh elevates Joseph to a high rank, saying, "You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you." This passage illustrates the hierarchical nature of Egyptian society and the authority vested in different ranks.

In the New Testament, societal ranks are addressed in the context of the early church. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul writes, "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, helping, guidance, and different kinds of tongues." This passage outlines a spiritual hierarchy within the church, emphasizing the diversity of roles and responsibilities.

Spiritual Ranks:

The Bible also speaks of spiritual ranks, particularly in the context of angelic beings and the spiritual realm. Colossians 1:16 states, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him." This verse suggests a structured hierarchy among spiritual beings, with different ranks and roles.

Ephesians 6:12 further elaborates on this concept: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the organized nature of spiritual opposition, indicating a hierarchy among evil forces.

Conclusion:

The concept of ranks in the Bible underscores the importance of order and authority in various aspects of life. Whether in military, societal, or spiritual contexts, ranks serve to organize and direct individuals and groups toward a common purpose, reflecting the divine order established by God.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

RANKS

ranks (prasid, "a square plot of ground," "a garden-bed"): "They sat down in ranks" (Mark 6:40); the several reclining ranks formed, as it were, separate plots or "garden-beds."

Greek

4414. protostates -- one who stands first (of soldiers), hence a ...
... ringleader. From protos and histemi; one standing first in the ranks, ie A captain
(champion) -- ringleader. see GREEK protos. see GREEK histemi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4414.htm - 6k

4237. prasia -- a garden bed
... leek, and so an onion-patch); a garden plot, ie (by implication, of regular beds)
a row (repeated in plural by Hebraism, to indicate an arrangement) -- in ranks ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4237.htm - 6k

4960. sustoicheo -- to stand in the same rank, fig. correspond to
... to correspond to. From sun and stoicheo; to file together (as soldiers in ranks),
ie (figuratively) to correspond to -- answer to. see GREEK sun. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4960.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

4151. moad -- appointed place
... 4150, 4151. moad. 4152 . appointed place. Transliteration: moad Phonetic
Spelling: (mo-awd') Short Definition: ranks. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4151.htm - 6k

7713. sederah -- row, rank (of soldiers)
... 7712, 7713. sederah. 7714 . row, rank (of soldiers). Transliteration: sederah
Phonetic Spelling: (sed-ay-raw') Short Definition: ranks. ...
/hebrew/7713.htm - 6k

5670. abat -- to take or give a pledge
... borrow, break ranks, fetch a pledge, lend, surely. A primitive root; to
pawn; causatively, to lend (on security); figuratively, to ...
/hebrew/5670.htm - 6k

2686. chatsats -- to divide
... A primitive root (compare chatsah); properly, to chop into, pierce or sever;
hence, to curtail, to distribute (into ranks); as denom. ...
/hebrew/2686.htm - 5k

6471. paam -- a beat, foot, anvil, occurrence
... 1), each story (1), feet (9), footsteps (3), hoofbeats (1), now (5), oftentimes*
(1), once (1), once more (3), once* (4), other times (5), ranks (2), steps (3 ...
/hebrew/6471.htm - 6k

4634. maarakah -- row, rank, battle line
... NASB Word Usage armies (3), army (3), arrangement (1), battle array (1), battle
formation (1), battle line (5), battlefield* (1), orderly manner (1), ranks (3 ...
/hebrew/4634.htm - 6k

1214. batsa -- to cut off, break off, gain by violence
... root Definition to cut off, break off, gain by violence NASB Word Usage accomplished
(1), break (1), break ranks (1), completed (1), cut me off (1), cut off (1 ...
/hebrew/1214.htm - 6k

2686a. chatsats -- to divide
... to divide. Transliteration: chatsats Short Definition: off. Word Origin a prim.
root Definition to divide NASB Word Usage cut off (1), ranks (1). 2686, 2686a ...
/hebrew/2686a.htm - 5k

Library

Whether in Happiness vision Ranks Before Delight?
... OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR HAPPINESS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
in happiness vision ranks before delight? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether in happiness vision ranks.htm

Of the Ranks and Differences of the Creatures, Estimated by their ...
... Book XI. Chapter 16."Of the Ranks and Differences of the Creatures, Estimated by
Their Utility, or According to the Natural Gradations of Being. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of the ranks and.htm

Concerning the Ranks of the Initiated.
... CAPUT VI. I. Concerning the Ranks of the Initiated. ... These, then, are the sacerdotal
Ranks and elections, their powers, and operations, and consecrations. ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput vi i concerning the.htm

Concerning "Holy of Holies," "King of Kings," "Lord of Lords ...
... And Holy Ones and Kings and Lords and Gods, in the language of Scripture, are the
higher Ranks in each Kind [492] through which the secondary Ranks receiving ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter xii concerning holy of.htm

Through the Red Sea
... The turmoil of Israel began to subside, growing fainter, ceasing among the ranks
nearest the sea, failing toward the rear, dying away like a sigh up and down ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlv through the red.htm

Assurance.
... He could not get hold of the rein, and a private in the ranks saw it, and sprang
out of the ranks towards the horse, and was successful in getting hold of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/assurance.htm

Concerning Sacerdotal Consecrations.
... to set forth the sacerdotal Orders and elections themselves, and their powers, and
operations, and consecrations, and the triad of the superior ranks under them ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput v i concerning sacerdotal.htm

David's victory Over the Giant
... between them. Then there came out from the ranks of the Philistines a champion
named Goliath, who was about ten feet tall. He had ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/davids victory over the giant.htm

Letter cxx. To Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, on Perseverance in the ...
... the priestly office gains much in lustre where the authority of the highest is
preserved without it being thought that the liberty of the lower ranks has been ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter cxx to theodoret bishop.htm

Strong and Loving
... The former sound like the word of command shouted from an officer along the ranks;
and there is a military metaphor running all through them. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/strong and loving.htm

Thesaurus

Ranks (34 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia RANKS. ranks (prasid, "a square plot of
ground," "a garden-bed"): "They sat down in ranks" (Mark ...
/r/ranks.htm - 17k

Reproached (27 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine saith, 'I have reproached the ranks of Israel
this day; give to me a man, and we fight together.' (YLT). ...
/r/reproached.htm - 14k

Rank (42 Occurrences)
... 11. (n. & v.) An aggregate of individuals classed together; a permanent social class;
an order; a division; as, ranks and orders of men; the highest and the ...
/r/rank.htm - 21k

Ranges (5 Occurrences)
... (2.) 2 Kings 11:8. A Hebrew word is here used different from the preceding, meaning
"ranks of soldiers." The Levites were appointed to guard the king's person ...
/r/ranges.htm - 9k

Units (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Kings 11:15 Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds
who were set over the army, and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks. ...
/u/units.htm - 10k

Windows (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 7:4 And there were windows
in three rows, and light was against light in three ranks. (KJV WBS YLT NIV). ...
/w/windows.htm - 15k

Tiers (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tiers (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 7:4 There were beams in
three rows, and window was over against window in three ranks. (See RSV). ...
/t/tiers.htm - 6k

Range (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in
ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range soldiers in line. ...
/r/range.htm - 13k

Beams (28 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS NIV). 1 Kings 7:4 There were beams in three rows, and window
was over against window in three ranks. (WEB JPS ASV DBY). ...
/b/beams.htm - 14k

Artistic (14 Occurrences)
... lattice work. (See NAS). 1 Kings 7:4 There were beams in three rows, and
window was over against window in three ranks. (See NAS). 1 ...
/a/artistic.htm - 10k

Resources

Is it wrong to force a conversion? What role should coercion play in religion? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about church hierarchy? | GotQuestions.org

Is belief in God a virus? | GotQuestions.org

Ranks: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance

Ranks (34 Occurrences)

Matthew 18:1
Just then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who ranks higher than others in the Kingdom of the Heavens?"
(WEY)

Mark 1:5
There went out to him people of all classes from Judaea, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem of all ranks, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, making open confession of their sins.
(WEY)

Mark 6:40
They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

John 1:15
John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said,'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'"
(See RSV)

John 1:30
This is he of whom I said,'After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.'
(See RSV)

Romans 8:38
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither the lower ranks of evil angels nor the higher, neither things present nor things future, nor the forces of nature,
(WEY)

Galatians 2:4
This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;
(See NIV)

Leviticus 24:6
and thou hast set them two ranks (six in the rank) on the pure table before Jehovah,
(YLT)

1 Samuel 4:2
and the Philistines set themselves in array to meet Israel, and the battle spreadeth itself, and Israel is smitten before the Philistines, and they smite among the ranks in the field about four thousand men.
(YLT)

1 Samuel 4:12
And a man of Benjamin runneth out of the ranks, and cometh into Shiloh, on that day, and his long robes 'are' rent, and earth on his head;
(YLT)

1 Samuel 4:16
And the man saith unto Eli, 'I 'am' he who hath come out of the ranks, and I out of the ranks have fled to-day;' and he saith, 'What hath been the matter, my son?'
(YLT)

1 Samuel 17:8
And he stood and cried to the ranks of Israel, and said to them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I the Philistine, and ye servants of Saul? choose for yourselves a man, and let him come down to me.
(DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 17:10
And the Philistine said, I have defied the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
(DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 17:22
And David left the things he was carrying in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran into the ranks, and came and saluted his brethren.
(DBY RSV)

1 Samuel 17:23
As he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke according to the same words: and David heard them.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 17:26
And David speaketh unto the men who are standing by him, saying, 'What is done to the man who smiteth this Philistine, and hath turned aside reproach from Israel? for who 'is' this uncircumcised Philistine that he hath reproached the ranks of the living God?'
(YLT)

1 Samuel 17:36
Both the lion and the bear hath thy servant smitten, and this uncircumcised Philistine hath been as one of them, for he hath reproached the ranks of the living God.'
(YLT)

1 Samuel 17:45
And David saith unto the Philistine, 'Thou art coming unto me with sword, and with spear, and with buckler, and I am coming unto thee in the name of Jehovah of Hosts, God of the ranks of Israel, which thou hast reproached.
(YLT)

1 Samuel 17:48
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and advanced to meet David, that David hasted, and ran towards the ranks to meet the Philistine.
(DBY)

1 Samuel 23:3
And David's men say unto him, 'Lo, we here in Judah are afraid; and how much more when we go to Keilah, unto the ranks of the Philistines?'
(YLT NAS)

1 Kings 7:4
There were beams in three rows, and window was over against window in three ranks.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

1 Kings 7:5
All the doors and posts were made square with beams: and window was over against window in three ranks.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

2 Kings 11:8
You shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in."
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 11:15
Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks. Kill him who follows her with the sword." For the priest said, "Don't let her be slain in the house of Yahweh."
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 12:38
All these 'are' men of war, keeping rank -- with a perfect heart they have come to Hebron, to cause David to reign over all Israel, and also all the rest of Israel 'are' of one heart, to cause David to reign,
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 23:14
Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, Have her forth between the ranks; and whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword: for the priest said, Don't kill her in the house of Yahweh.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 30:27
The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Song of Songs 1:7
Declare to me, thou whom my soul hath loved, Where thou delightest, Where thou liest down at noon, For why am I as one veiled, By the ranks of thy companions?
(YLT)

Isaiah 14:31
Howl, gate! Cry, city! You are melted away, Philistia, all of you; for smoke comes out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 46:21
Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back, they are fled away together, they didn't stand: for the day of their calamity is come on them, the time of their visitation.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 50:37
A sword is on their horses, and on their chariots, and on all the mixed people who are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is on her treasures, and they shall be robbed.
(See NIV)

Joel 2:7
They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Joel 2:8
Neither does one jostle another; they march everyone in his path, and they burst through the defenses, and don't break ranks.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Micah 5:8
Yea, the remnant of Jacob hath been among nations, In the midst of many peoples, As a lion among beasts of a forest, As a young lion among ranks of a flock, Which if it hath passed through, Hath both trodden down and hath torn, And there is no deliverer.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Ranks

Related Terms

Ranks (34 Occurrences)

Ransacked (3 Occurrences)

Masters (59 Occurrences)

Carry (246 Occurrences)

Anyone (514 Occurrences)

Secures (1 Occurrence)

Assyria (124 Occurrences)