Consecration

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 (Josh 6:19); of the priests (2 Ch 26:18); of sacrifices (2 Ch 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; so 28:41; 29:29:33,15; 32:29; Lev 8:33; 16:32; 21:10; Nu 3:3; Jdg 17:5,12; 2 Ch 29:31); of Jeroboam's non-Levitical priesthood (1 Ki 13:33; 2 Ch 13:9); of the altar (Ezek 43:26) and of those who contributed to build the temple (1 Ch 29:5). Subst. of an act of installation (Lev 7:37; 8:33), and of installation offerings (Ex 29:22,26,27,31; Lev 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

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).

The idea of consecration is common also in the New Testament. Though the word itself is not always used, the meaning is consistent with that of the Old Testament. Priests and the sacrifices they offered were consecrated to God (Exod 28:38,40-41), and Jesus seems to have been referring to priestly service when he spoke of himself as being consecrated to God (John 17:19). He set himself apart to do his Father’s will, and this meant dying for sin (John 12:27; 17:4). Being the believer’s great high priest, he offered himself as the perfect sacrifice (Heb 10:11-14; see PRIEST).

Jesus’ priestly work not only brings forgiveness to believers, but it also sets them apart for God (John 17:19). This involves more than the salvation of believers; it involves the practical offering of themselves to God as living sacrifices (Acts 20:24; Rom 12:1).

Although selected people may be consecrated in the particular sense of being set apart for certain tasks (Jer 1:5; Gal 1:15-16), all Christians should be consecrated in the sense of being fully devoted to God. Christ has bought them at the price of his blood and they belong to him. They are disciples of their Lord and servants of their Master, and their commitment to him must be total (Matt 10:37-39; 1 Cor 7:23; 2 Cor 10:5; Col 3:23-24; see DISCIPLE; SERVANT).