In the context of the Bible, "designating" refers to the act of appointing, assigning, or setting apart individuals, places, or objects for a specific purpose or role as ordained by God. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating God's sovereign will and divine order in His creation and His plans for humanity.

Old Testament Examples

1. Priestly Designation: One of the most significant examples of designating in the Old Testament is the appointment of Aaron and his descendants as priests. God specifically chose the tribe of Levi to serve in the tabernacle, setting them apart for holy duties. In Exodus 28:1, God commands Moses, "Now bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the Israelites, to serve Me as priests—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons."

2. Kingship: The designation of kings is another critical aspect. Saul was the first king of Israel, designated by God through the prophet Samuel. Later, David was chosen by God to succeed Saul, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:12-13: "So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.' Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward."

3. Prophets: Prophets were also designated by God to deliver His messages to the people. Jeremiah's calling is a poignant example, as described in Jeremiah 1:5: "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 spread the Gospel and establish the early Church. Mark 3:14-15 states, "He appointed twelve, whom He also named apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons."

2. Paul's Apostleship: The apostle Paul is another example of divine designation. Despite his past as a persecutor of Christians, Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle to the Gentiles. In Acts 9:15, the Lord tells Ananias, "Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."

3. Spiritual Gifts: The New Testament also speaks of the designation of spiritual gifts to believers for the edification of the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."

Theological Implications

The concept of designating underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and His active role in guiding history and individual lives. It reflects the idea that God has a specific plan and purpose for each person, as well as for His collective people. This divine appointment is not based on human merit but on God's grace and wisdom, as seen in Ephesians 1:11: "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will."

Designating in the biblical sense is a reminder of the order and intentionality within God's creation, emphasizing that every role and function within the body of Christ is significant and divinely appointed.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Designate.

In Designating Others by the Epithets of "Uninstructed, and ...
... Chapter XIV. In designating others by the epithets of "uninstructed, and servile?
In designating others by the epithets of "uninstructed ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiv in designating others.htm

But it Should be Known that There are Also Other Books which Our ...
... and another Wisdom, called the Wisdom of the Son of Syrach, which last-mentioned
the Latins called by the general title Ecclesiasticus, designating not the ...
/.../38 but it should be.htm

The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from ...
... imparting and communicating, though much might be said, let it suffice to remark
that the law prohibits a brother from taking usury: designating as a brother ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviii the mosaic law the.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... Sinners redeemed are in covenant with God. The term covenant designating their
relation to him as a people is not figuratively applied to it. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Use of the Old Testament by the First Christian Writers, and by ...
... by(99) "Scripture has briefly signified this, saying." Assuming that Wisdom was
written by Solomon, he uses it as canonical and inspired, designating it divine ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter v use of the.htm

Via Dolorosa
... probably indicates that the spot was a skull-like knoll; but there is no reason
to think that it was a hill of the size supposed by designating it Mount Calvary ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter x via dolorosa.htm

Christ, as to his Divine Nature, as the Word of God, Became Flesh ...
... thus (in the plural) [7202] "Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," as if designating those who were ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter xix christ as to his.htm

Our Instructor's Treatment of Our Sins.
... Moses: "If any one die suddenly by him, straightway the head of his consecration
shall be polluted, and shall be shaved," [1037] designating involuntary sin as ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii our instructors treatment of.htm

Christ is Mind, According to the Manich??ans; what is He in the ...
... Christ, too, they do not acknowledge; yet they speak of Christ, but they take some
other element, and giving to the Word, designating His sacred person, some ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/chapter xxiv christ is mind according.htm

Answer to the Foregoing Arguments.
... For he who elsewhere"namely, where the difference requires"remembers to make the
distinction, (moreover, he makes it by designating each species by their ...
/.../tertullian/on prayer/chapter xxii answer to the foregoing.htm

Designating (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Designate. Multi-Version
Concordance Designating (1 Occurrence). Mark 3:14 He appointed ...
/d/designating.htm - 6k

Weak (102 Occurrences)
... (vi) Pertaining to, or designating, a verb ... (vi) Pertaining to, or designating, a
noun in Anglo-Saxon, etc., the stem of which ends in -n. See Strong, 19 (b). ...
/w/weak.htm - 38k

Israel (27466 Occurrences)
... of Judah.". After the Exile the name Israel was assumed as designating the
entire nation. Israel, Kingdom of. (BC 975-BC 722). Soon ...
/i/israel.htm - 101k

Designed (14 Occurrences)

/d/designed.htm - 11k

Vice (2 Occurrences)
... 9. (prep.) Denoting one who in certain cases may assume the office or duties of
a superior; designating an officer or an office that is second in rank or ...
/v/vice.htm - 8k

Name (10157 Occurrences)
... NAMES. Besides designating persons, the name also stands for fame, renown,
reputation, character gained or expressed, etc. (Genesis ...
/n/name.htm - 23k

Nazareth (29 Occurrences)
... the finest prospects in Palestine is obtained, and accordingly they derive it from
the Hebrew notserah, ie, one guarding or watching, thus designating the hill ...
/n/nazareth.htm - 24k

Old (3966 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Continued in life; advanced in the course of existence; having (a certain)
length of existence; -- designating the age of a person or thing; as ...
/o/old.htm - 101k

Off (5363 Occurrences)
... 10. (a.) Designating a time when one is not strictly attentive to business or affairs,
or is absent from his post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not ...
/o/off.htm - 8k

Levitical (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Priestly. 3. (a.) of or pertaining to, or designating, the law contained
in the book of Leviticus. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CITIES, LEVITICAL. ...
/l/levitical.htm - 20k

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