Consecrate

Consecrate - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

CONSECRATE, v.t. [L., to consecrate, sacred. See Sacred.]

1. To make or declare to be sacred, by certain ceremonies or rites; to appropriate to sacred uses; to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the service and worship of God; as, to consecrate a church.

Thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. Exo 29.

All the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated to the Lord. Josh 6.

2. To canonize; to exalt to the rank of a saint; to enroll among the gods, as a Roman emperor.

3. To set apart and bless the elements in the eucharist.

4. To render venerable; to make respected; as, rules or principles consecrated by time.

CONSECRATE, a. Sacred; consecrated; devoted; dedicated.

They were assembled in that consecrate place.

[This word is now seldom used, unless in poetry.]

Consecrated - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

CONSECRATED, pp. Made sacred by ceremonies or solemn rites; separated from a common to a sacred use; devoted or dedicated to the service and worship of God; made venerable.

Consecration - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

The devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service of God. The race of Abraham and the tribe of Levi were thus consecrated (Ex. 13:2, 12, 15; Num. 3:12). The Hebrews devoted their fields and cattle, and sometimes the spoils of war, to the Lord (Lev. 27:28, 29). According to the Mosaic law the first-born both of man and beast were consecrated to God.

In the New Testament, Christians are regarded as consecrated to the Lord (1 Pet. 2:9).

Consecration - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

CONSECRATION, n.

1. The act or ceremony of separating form a common to a sacred use, or of devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of God, by certain rites or solemnities. Consecration does not make a person or thing really holy, but declares it to be sacred, that is, devoted to God or to divine service; as the consecration of the priests among the Israelites; the consecration of the vessels used in the temple; the consecration of a bishop.

2. Canonization; the act of translating into heaven, and enrolling or numbering among the saints or gods; the ceremony of the apotheosis of an emperor.

3. The benediction of the elements in the eucharist; the act of setting apart and blessing the elements in the communion.

kon'-se-krat, kon-se-kra'-shun.

1. In the Old Testament:

In the Old Testament for several Hebrew words of different meanings:

(1) charam: "I will consecrate (the Revised Version (British and American) "devote") their gain unto the Lord," i.e. the spoil of the nations shall be dedicated to the service of Yahweh (Mic 4:13).

See BAN; CURSE.

(2) nazar, nezer (Nu 6:7,9,12; the Revised Version (British and American) "separate").

See NAZIRITE.

(3) qadhesh: "to be set apart," or "to be holy": of Aaron and his sons (Ex 28:3; 30:30; the Revised Version (British and American) "sanctify"). The silver and gold and brass and iron of the banned city of Jericho are "consecrated" things (the Revised Version (British and American) "holy") unto the Lord (Jos 6:19); of the priests (2Ch 26:18); of sacrifices (2Ch 29:33; 31:6; Ezr 3:5).

See HOLINESS.

(4) mille' yadh, literally, "to fill the hand"; and substantive plural millu'im, a peculiar idiom used frequently and generally for the installation of a priest into his office; and substantive for the installation offerings which were probably put into the priest's hands to symbolize his admission into office; hence, the phrase, "and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons" (Ex 29:9; 28:41; 29:29:33,15; 32:29; Le 8:33; 16:32; 21:10; Nu 3:3; Jud 17:5,12; 2Ch 29:31); of Jeroboam's non-Levitical priesthood (1Ki 13:33; 2Ch 13:9); of the altar (Eze 43:26) and of those who contributed to build the temple (1Ch 29:5). Subst. of an act of installation (Le 7:37; 8:33), and of installation offerings (Ex 29:22,26,27,31; Le 8:22,28,29,31).

2. In the New Testament:

In the New Testament teleioo, "to make perfect" (Heb 7:28; the Revised Version (British and American) "perfected"); egkainizo, "to make new" (Heb 10:20; the Revised Version (British and American) "dedicated").

T. Rees

Definition

To consecrate means to dedicate something or someone to serve God. The person or object that is consecrated is considered holy and set apart for God.

• The meaning of this term is similar to “sanctify” or to “make holy,” but with the added meaning of formally setting apart someone for service to God.
• Things that were consecrated to God included animals to be sacrificed, the altar of burnt offering, and the tabernacle.
• People who were consecrated to God included the priests, the people of Israel, and the oldest male child.
• Sometimes the word “consecrate” has a meaning that is similar to “purify,” especially when it pertains to preparing people or things for God’s service so that they will be cleansed and acceptable to him.

Translation Suggestions

• Ways to translate “consecrate” could include, “set apart for God’s service” or “purify for service to God.”
• Also consider how the terms “holy” and “sanctify” are translated.

(See also: holy, pure, sanctify)

Bible References

• 1 Timothy 4:3-5
• 2 Chronicles 13:8-9
• Ezekiel 44:19

Word Data

• Strong’s: H2763, H3027, H4390, H4394, H5144, H5145, H6942, H6944, G14570, G50480