In the context of the Bible, the term "devotes" often refers to the act of dedicating or consecrating something or someone to God. This concept is deeply rooted in the practices and teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, where devotion signifies a commitment to God’s service, worship, and obedience.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "devote" is "ḥērem," which can mean to set apart for a sacred purpose or to destroy as an offering to God. This dual meaning reflects the seriousness of devotion, where something devoted to God is wholly given over to Him, either for service or as a sacrifice.

One of the most notable examples of devotion is found in the account of Jericho. In Joshua 6:17 , the city and all that is in it are declared "devoted to the LORD." This meant that everything in Jericho was to be destroyed, except for Rahab and her family, who were spared due to her faithfulness. The act of devoting the city to destruction was a demonstration of Israel's obedience to God's command and a recognition of His sovereignty.

Leviticus 27:28-29 also addresses the concept of devotion, stating, "But nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD." This passage underscores the irrevocable nature of devotion, emphasizing that what is devoted to God is considered most holy and cannot be reclaimed.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, devotion takes on a more personal and spiritual dimension. The Greek word "proskartereó" is often used to describe a steadfast and continuous commitment to God. This is seen in the early church's practices, as described in Acts 2:42 : "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Here, devotion is characterized by a persistent dedication to spiritual growth and community life.

The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of devotion in his letters, urging believers to commit themselves fully to God. In Romans 12:1 , Paul writes, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This call to present oneself as a living sacrifice is a profound expression of devotion, where one's entire life is dedicated to serving and honoring God.

Devotion in Practice

Devotion in the biblical sense is not merely an emotional or intellectual assent but involves action and commitment. It encompasses worship, prayer, service, and obedience to God's commands. The Psalms frequently highlight the importance of a devoted heart, as seen in Psalm 86:11 : "Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name."

In practical terms, devotion is lived out through daily acts of faithfulness, such as studying Scripture, engaging in prayer, participating in communal worship, and serving others. It is a holistic approach to life that seeks to honor God in all things, reflecting the believer's love and reverence for the Creator.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of devotion is a profound and multifaceted theme that calls believers to a life of complete dedication to God. Whether through acts of worship, service, or personal sacrifice, devotion is a testament to the believer's commitment to living a life that glorifies God.2652. katanathema -- curse.
... 2652 (from 2596 , "according to, ," intensifying 331 , "a curse") -- properly, an;
an oath-curse which "devotes something to" (literally, to take it ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2652.htm - 6k

Chief Events in the Life of Saint Catherine
... Blessed Sacrament. She joyfully devotes herself to household labours, and
to a life of ministration to the sick and needy. In 1368 ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/chief events in the life.htm

Of Philosophy, and How Vain was Its Occupation in Setting Forth ...
... itself? For he who devotes himself to wisdom is manifestly not yet wise,
but devotes himself to the subject that he may be wise. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ii of philosophy and how.htm

Whether a Vow is Solemnized by the Reception of Holy Orders, and ...
... In like manner a vow is solemnized when a man devotes himself to the divine ministry
by receiving holy orders, or embraces the state of perfection by ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a vow is solemnized.htm

On Clothes.
... As therefore she who is unmarried devotes herself to God alone, and her care is
not divided, but the chaste married woman divides her life between God and her ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi name clothes.htm

Question of the Contemplative Life
... a man should take note of what it is that he holds to through love of the truth,
and should reflect on the nature of the work to which he devotes himself at ...
/.../on prayer and the contemplative life/question clxxx of the contemplative.htm

Translator's Biographical Notice.
... C??sareia. [1350] He devotes the eleventh chapter of the eighth book also
to a notice of Pamphilus and other martyrs. And besides ...
/.../pamphilus/the writings of pamphilus/translators biographical notice.htm

To the Student
... and the paragraph are the principal elements in the public speaker's English style,
and the student will be amply repaid for any time he devotes to their ...
/.../kleiser/phrases for public speakers and paragraphs for study/to the student.htm

The Holy Spirit's Chief Office
... glorify Christ. To what higher ends can we "devote ourselves, than to
something to which God the Holy Ghost devotes himself? Be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/the holy spirits chief office.htm

Assurance of Salvation.
... In the first place he moves all his kingdom to keep us away from Christ; then he
devotes himself to get us into "Doubting Castle:" but if we have, in spite of ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter vii assurance of salvation.htm

Things Omitted from Mark's Gospel.
... Matthew devotes three whole chapters to it, but Mark records it not, though some
of its teachings are found in other connections in this second Gospel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/i things omitted from marks.htm

Devotes (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Devotes (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 27:28
Notwithstanding, no devoted thing, that a man may devote unto the ...
/d/devotes.htm - 6k

Essenes
... When Josephus describes the sects of the Jews, he devotes most of his time
and attention to the third of these sects, the Essenes. ...
/e/essenes.htm - 38k

Vow (49 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A solemn promise made to God, or to some deity; an act by which one consecrates
or devotes himself, absolutely or conditionally, wholly or in part, for ...
/v/vow.htm - 27k

Devoteth (3 Occurrences)

/d/devoteth.htm - 7k

Devotee (1 Occurrence)

/d/devotee.htm - 7k

Profession (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A calling or occupation for which one professes knowledge; the occupation,
if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one's self ...
/p/profession.htm - 11k

Hor (14 Occurrences)
... In HDB, while noting the fact that it has been questioned, Professor Hull devotes
all the space at his disposal to a description of Jebel Neby Harun. ...
/h/hor.htm - 15k

Scribes (85 Occurrences)
... It was a saying of Hillel: "He that devotes himself to trade will not become wise."
The principle of gratuity was probably carried out in practice only in ...
/s/scribes.htm - 49k

Set (6715 Occurrences)
... of the truth of this statement. The Standard Dictionary devotes three
and a half columns to the word. In its primary meaning it ...
/s/set.htm - 20k

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)
... Thus we meet with a class of "votaries" as early as the days of Hammurabi,
and his code devotes quite a number of sections to them. ...
/n/nazirite.htm - 21k

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