Topical Bible: Books: Often Dedicated to Persons of Distinction

◄ Books: Often Dedicated to Persons of Distinction ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the ancient world, it was a common practice for authors to dedicate their works to individuals of high status or distinction. This tradition is reflected in the biblical texts, where certain books are addressed to or associated with notable figures, either directly or through their content and themes. These dedications served various purposes, including honoring the individual, seeking patronage, or establishing the authority and credibility of the text.

Luke and Acts: Dedication to Theophilus

The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are two New Testament books explicitly dedicated to a person of distinction named Theophilus. The author, traditionally identified as Luke, a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, addresses both works to Theophilus, whose name means "lover of God" or "friend of God." In Luke 1:3-4 , the author writes, "Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." Similarly, Acts 1:1 begins, "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach."

Theophilus is often thought to be a person of high social standing, possibly a Roman official or a wealthy patron who supported the early Christian community. The use of the title "most excellent" suggests a person of rank or influence. The dedication to Theophilus may have served to lend credibility to the accounts and ensure their dissemination among influential circles.

Proverbs: Association with Solomon

The Book of Proverbs is traditionally associated with King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom. While not explicitly dedicated to a single individual, the book opens with the attribution, "The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel" (Proverbs 1:1). This association with Solomon, a figure of great distinction and authority, serves to underscore the wisdom and divine insight contained within the text. Solomon's reputation as a wise ruler lends weight to the teachings and maxims presented in Proverbs, making them more compelling to the audience.

Ecclesiastes: Attributed to the Preacher, Son of David

Ecclesiastes is another book traditionally linked to Solomon, though it is presented as the words of "the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (Ecclesiastes 1:1). The association with Solomon, a king known for his wealth, wisdom, and extensive building projects, provides a backdrop for the book's exploration of the meaning and purpose of life. The text's philosophical reflections are given authority through this connection to a distinguished and wise ruler.

Daniel: Addressed to Kings and Rulers

The Book of Daniel contains narratives and visions that involve interactions with several rulers, including Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. While not dedicated to a single person, the book's content is closely tied to these figures of distinction. Daniel's role as a counselor and interpreter of dreams to these kings highlights the theme of God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and kingdoms. The narratives demonstrate how God's wisdom and power are revealed through His servant Daniel, even in the courts of foreign kings.

Conclusion

The practice of dedicating or associating biblical books with persons of distinction serves to enhance the authority, credibility, and dissemination of the texts. Whether through explicit dedications, as seen in Luke and Acts, or through traditional associations, as with Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, these connections underscore the significance of the messages conveyed and their intended impact on both contemporary and future audiences.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:3
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 1:1
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Life of Jerome.
... he translated the Chronicle of Eusebius and dedicated it to ... to read it privately;
that he was often, especially in ... The Books of Samuel and of the Kings came ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/iii life of jerome.htm

Preface.
... religion, in a life that was entirely dedicated to it ... in broad daylight, that, as
I have often observed, the ... He calls them the Holy Books, the Sacred Text, Holy ...
/.../the evidences of the christian religion with additional discourses/preface.htm

Epistle Lxxv. To Magnus, on Baptizing the Novatians, and those who ...
... without,"Holy Scripture declares in the books of Kings ... by divine power; [3001] and
although he often says that he ... is beaten down, and the man, dedicated to God ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxv to magnus on.htm

Translator's Introduction.
... remaining three books, Book X. is dedicated entirely to ... the most holy fear of
God;"often talking of ... and holy services, reading spiritual books, observing the ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/translators introduction.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... into calm, drought into abundance of rain; and often for the ... Those which books and
monuments contain ... bond; if unwedded and free, being entirely dedicated to God ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm

Analysis of the Westminster Confession.
... Lord's day, is wholly to be dedicated unto the ... as distinct from the canonicity) of
the several books. ... horrible and blasphemous doctrine (so often unjustly and ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 95 analysis of the.htm

The Distinguished Ecclesiastics of Our Day, and which of them ...
... and his father, and who also dedicated his exegetical ... Having written out in these
books the account of the ... He is mentioned often by Clement of Alexandria, by ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxii the distinguished ecclesiastics of.htm

Criticism of the Westminster System of Doctrine.
... It has often been said that pious Calvinists preach ... Westminster Confession and
Catechisms the best books in his ... a treatise of 60 pages, dedicated to Parliament ...
/.../ 97 criticism of the.htm

Coornhert and the Collegiants --A Movement for Spiritual Religion ...
... revolting from these unspiritual methods, he dedicated himself to ... can doubt that
he read the books and meditated ... used their terminology, but he often gave new ...
/.../chapter vii coornhert and the.htm

Letter Xlviii. To Pammachius.
... followed up at length in his three books "On Virgins ... to the claims of wedlock for,
as often as I ... virgin Christ and the virgin Mary have dedicated in themselves ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlviii to pammachius.htm