In biblical terminology, the concept of "designates" often refers to the act of appointing, choosing, or setting apart individuals or objects for a specific purpose or role within God's divine plan. This concept is evident throughout both the Old and New Testaments, where God designates people, places, and things to fulfill His purposes.

Old Testament Examples

1. Priestly Designation: One of the most prominent examples of designation in the Old Testament is the appointment of Aaron and his descendants as priests. In Exodus 28:1, God commands Moses, "Have your brother Aaron, along with his sons, come to you from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons." This designation set the tribe of Levi apart for the service of the tabernacle and later the temple.

2. Kingship: The designation of kings is another significant theme. Saul was designated as the first king of Israel, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:16, where God tells Samuel, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over My people Israel." Later, David is chosen and anointed by God to succeed Saul, as recorded in 1 Samuel 16:12-13.

3. Prophets: Prophets were also designated by God to deliver His messages. Jeremiah 1:5 illustrates this, where God says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

New Testament Examples

1. Apostolic Designation: In the New Testament, Jesus designates the twelve apostles to be His closest followers and to spread the Gospel. Mark 3:14 states, "He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach."

2. Paul's Apostleship: The Apostle Paul frequently refers to his own designation by God. In Galatians 1:15-16, he writes, "But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man."

3. Spiritual Gifts: The New Testament also speaks of the designation of spiritual gifts to believers. In 1 Corinthians 12:11, Paul explains, "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines."

Theological Implications

The concept of designation underscores the sovereignty of God in His creation and His plans for humanity. It highlights the belief that God has a specific purpose for each individual and that He actively intervenes in history to accomplish His will. This divine selection is not based on human merit but on God's grace and purpose, as seen in Romans 9:11-12, "Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by Him who calls."

Conclusion

The biblical theme of designation reveals a God who is intimately involved in the affairs of the world, choosing and appointing individuals and groups to fulfill His divine purposes. This concept encourages believers to seek and understand their own roles within God's plan, trusting in His wisdom and guidance.5550. chronos -- time
... Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished
from kairos, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from aion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5550.htm - 7k3259. yaad -- to appoint
... root Definition to appoint NASB Word Usage agreed to meet (1), appointed (3), assemble
(1), assembled (3), assigned (1), designated (1), designates (1), gather ...
/hebrew/3259.htm - 6k

The Fifth Rule Tichonius Lays Down is one He Designates of Times.. ...
... Book 3 Chapter 50. The fifth rule Tichonius lays down is one he designates
of times? 50. The fifth rule Tichonius lays down is ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 50 the fifth rule.htm

Whether Nativity Regards the Nature Rather than the Person?
... which subsists; since a form that does not subsist is said to be only inasmuch as
by it something is: and whereas person or hypostasis designates something as ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether nativity regards the nature.htm

Whether Volition is of the End Only, or Also of the Means?
... I answer that, The word "voluntas" sometimes designates the power of the will,
sometimes its act [*See note: above A[1], Reply OBJ[1]]. Accordingly, if we ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether volition is of the.htm

Whether the Essential Attributes are Appropriated to the Persons ...
... ii): "Eternity is in the Father, the species in the Image; and use is in the Gift."
In which words he designates three names proper to the persons: the name of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the essential attributes are.htm

God Forsakes Only those who Deserve to be Forsaken. We are ...
... to them, and they obey the command: "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the
dead, and Christ shall give thee light." [1192] The truth designates them as ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 25 xxiii god forsakes only.htm

He Passes on to the Second Question About the Soul, Whether it is ...
... what he expresses in another passage thus: "For the flesh lusteth against the spirit,
and the spirit against the flesh." [2511] What he designates mind in the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 36 xxii he passes on.htm

Whether his Name was Suitably Given to Christ?
... as stated Metaph. iv: "Since a name is but an expression of the definition"
which designates a thing's proper nature. Now, the names ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether his name was suitably.htm

Whether the Church Observes a Suitable Rite in Baptizing?
... Essential indeed, to the sacrament are both the form which designates the principal
cause of the sacrament; and the minister who is the instrumental cause; and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the church observes a.htm

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands ...
... precede its final glory."According to Bachiene [Pg 481] ii.2, S.7 ff., Bethlehem
and Ephratah are to be distinguished, so that the former designates the town ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap v 1.htm

Attributes of Love.
... When thus used, it designates a calm and unruffled state of the sensibility or feelings,
under circumstances that tend to excite anger or impatience of feeling ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

Designates (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Designates (1 Occurrence). Exodus 21:9 If he marries her
to his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters. ...
/d/designates.htm - 6k

I-iii
... 2. The King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) 3. Helps
to Study LITERATURE General Designation: This word designates the collection ...
/i/i-iii.htm - 31k

Introduction (3 Occurrences)
... 2. The King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) 3. Helps
to Study LITERATURE General Designation: This word designates the collection ...
/i/introduction.htm - 33k

Chamber (73 Occurrences)
... Chedher is a word of frequent occurrence, and designates a private room. ... Tsela`,
when used of a chamber, designates a side-chamber of the temple. ...
/c/chamber.htm - 36k

Crooked (31 Occurrences)
... krook'-ed (`awah, `aqash, `aqalqal, `aqallathon, pethaltol; skolios): Primarily
designates something that is bent, twisted or deformed (Isaiah 27:1; Isaiah 45 ...
/c/crooked.htm - 17k

Ass (95 Occurrences)
... that it may be derived from 'athan, Aramaic `adhan, "to be slender," "docile," etc.);
'athonoth tsechoroth, "red-white asses" (Judges 5:10) designates a better ...
/a/ass.htm - 48k

Children
... Thus we have: (a) the children of a city or country (see Jeremiah 2:16 Matthew
23:37), and this designates those who belong to that particular city or country ...
/c/children.htm - 62k

Designated (22 Occurrences)

/d/designated.htm - 13k

Child (355 Occurrences)
... Thus we have: (a) the children of a city or country (see Jeremiah 2:16 Matthew
23:37), and this designates those who belong to that particular city or country ...
/c/child.htm - 51k

Bible
... 2. The King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) 3. Helps
to Study LITERATURE General Designation: This word designates the collection ...
/b/bible.htm - 101k

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