The term "apportioned" in the Bible refers to the act of distributing or assigning portions, often in the context of God's sovereign distribution of land, blessings, or responsibilities among His people. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's providence and justice.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of apportioning is prominently seen in the distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. After the Israelites entered Canaan, the land was divided by lot under the guidance of Joshua, as directed by God. This apportionment was not merely a matter of human decision but was seen as divinely ordained. In Joshua 18:10 , it is recorded, "Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD, and there he apportioned the land to the Israelites according to their divisions."

The apportionment of land was also a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant. Each tribe received its inheritance, except for the Levites, who were given cities and pasturelands instead of a contiguous territory, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Numbers 18:20-24).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of apportioning extends beyond physical land to spiritual gifts and roles within the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks of spiritual gifts being apportioned by the Holy Spirit to each believer for the common good. In 1 Corinthians 12:7 , Paul writes, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This apportionment underscores the diversity and unity within the Church, as each member is given a unique role to play in the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:7 further elaborates on this, stating, "But to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Here, the apportionment of grace and gifts is linked to Christ's authority and generosity, emphasizing that every believer has a part to contribute to the growth and edification of the Church.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of apportioning reflects God's sovereignty and wisdom. It demonstrates that God, in His omniscience, knows what is best for His people and distributes resources, responsibilities, and gifts accordingly. This divine apportionment calls for trust in God's plan and contentment with one's assigned portion, whether it be land, spiritual gifts, or life circumstances.

Moreover, the idea of apportioning highlights the importance of stewardship. Believers are called to faithfully manage what has been apportioned to them, whether it be material possessions, spiritual gifts, or opportunities for service. This stewardship is ultimately accountable to God, who is the giver of all good things.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of apportioning serves as a reminder of God's providential care and the diversity of His blessings. It calls believers to recognize their unique roles within God's plan and to faithfully steward the resources and gifts entrusted to them for His glory and the edification of the Church.(imp. & p. p.) of Apportion.2816. kleronomeo -- to inherit
... Cognate: 2816 (from 2818 , "a specific allotment of inheritance, apportioned by
casting lots") -- properly, to assign inheritance (inherit) by . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2816.htm - 8k

5550. chronos -- time
... season. 5550 -- (in general), especially viewed (a " of moments"); in in
the , sovereignly apportioned by God to each person. 5550 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5550.htm - 7k

2817. kleronomia -- an inheritance
... Cognate: 2817 (a feminine noun derived from 2818 , "an heir, apportioned inheritance
by the casting of lots") -- , awarded by , ie the portion () (cf. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2817.htm - 7k

3202. mempsimoiros -- complaining of one's fate
... 3202 (a substantival adjective, derived from 3201 , "blame, find fault," and ,
"an apportioned amount, allotment") -- properly, a complaint over the portion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3202.htm - 7k

3307. merizo -- to divide
... Word Origin from meros Definition to divide NASB Word Usage allotted (1), apportioned
(2), assigned (1), divide (1), divided (9). apportion, divide. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3307.htm - 7k

3648. holokleros -- complete, entire
... 3648 (from 3650 , "whole" and 2819 , "a , cast to better discern God's
preferred-will") -- properly, "all that is included (apportioned) through divine ." ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3648.htm - 7k

5157. nachal -- to get or take as a possession
... or take as a possession NASB Word Usage allotted (1), apportion (2), apportion for
inheritance (1), apportion the inheritance (1), apportioned (1), apportioned ...
/hebrew/5157.htm - 7k

2517. Chelqay -- an Israelite priest
... priest NASB Word Usage Helkai (1). Helkai. From chalaq; apportioned; Chelkai, an
Israelite -- Helkai. see HEBREW chalaq. 2516, 2517. Chelqay. 2518 . ...
/hebrew/2517.htm - 6k

5307. naphal -- to fall, lie
... root Definition to fall, lie NASB Word Usage abandon (1), allot (1), allotted (2),
anyone falls (1), apportioned (2), attacked (2), born (1), bring down (1 ...
/hebrew/5307.htm - 7k

The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
... The ministry for the day was there apportioned. To prevent the disputes of
carnal zeal, the lot' was to assign to each his function. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the annunciation of.htm

2 Cor. x. 7
... But not so we,' he says,. "But according to the measure of the province which God
apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you." So that his humility ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxii 2 cor x.htm

Monos
... There they remain to rest after the voyage till they can be apportioned
by the Government officers to the estates which need them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

Hence Too is Solved that Question, How is it that the Martyrs...
... But such things are of God exhibited, far otherwise than as the usual order
hath itself, unto each kind of creatures apportioned. ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /19 hence too is solved.htm

Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works
... For every child God has a life-plan, with work apportioned just according
to the power, and grace provided just according to the work. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/ix created in christ jesus.htm

James i. 4, 5
... as he who gives with simplicity, ie out of pure love, for the mere sake of
giving,"simplicity being here contrasted with a liberality apportioned and limited ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james i 4 5.htm

The Gospel According to Luke.
... He wills them; for Luke tells us that He said, "Father, if Thou be willing, remove
[971] this cup from me." The Holy Spirit, therefore, apportioned among the ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/ii the gospel according to luke.htm

On Luke xxii. 42, Etc.
... if He wills them, for Luke tells us that He said, "Father, if Thou be willing, remove
this cup from me." The Holy Spirit therefore, apportioned among the ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/iii on luke xxii 42 etc.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... This is by far the most important of all the Visions seen by John, in relation to
the earth. It has also the largest space apportioned to its description. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

On the Vocation of Men to Salvation
... And this is in fact both the word of the law and that of the Gospel, which are
subordinate in the operations apportioned to each other. VI. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 16 on the vocation.htm

Apportioned (24 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Apportioned (24 Occurrences). ... Numbers 26:53 To these is
the land apportioned by inheritance, by the number of names; (YLT). ...
/a/apportioned.htm - 13k

Apportion (19 Occurrences)

/a/apportion.htm - 12k

Apportioneth (9 Occurrences)

/a/apportioneth.htm - 9k

Oversight (23 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 23:18 And Jehoiada putteth the offices of the house of Jehovah into
the hand of the priests the Levites whom David had apportioned over the house ...
/o/oversight.htm - 14k

Reasonably (2 Occurrences)
... given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than
he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each ...
/r/reasonably.htm - 7k

Expiation (9 Occurrences)
... Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are apportioned out upon thy people and upon thy holy
city, to close the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make ...
/e/expiation.htm - 11k

Diest (10 Occurrences)
... thus said Jehovah: Thy wife in the city doth go a-whoring, And thy sons and thy
daughters by sword do fall, And thy land by line is apportioned, And thou on an ...
/d/diest.htm - 9k

Mallothi (2 Occurrences)
... my discourse"): Son of Heman, a Kohathite singer (1 Chronicles 6:33; 1 Chronicles
25:4). The song service in the house of the Lord was apportioned by David and ...
/m/mallothi.htm - 8k

Pedahel (1 Occurrence)
... PEDAHEL. ped'-a-hel, pe-da'-el (pedhah'-el, "whom God redeems"): A prince of Naphtali;
one of the tribal chiefs who apportioned the land of Canaan (Numbers 34:28 ...
/p/pedahel.htm - 7k

Portioned (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 34:17 And He hath cast for them a lot, And His hand hath apportioned 'it'
to them by line, Unto the age they possess it, To all generations they dwell ...
/p/portioned.htm - 6k

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