In the biblical context, "devoting" often refers to the act of setting apart something or someone for a specific purpose, typically in service or dedication to God. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and carries significant theological and spiritual implications.

Old Testament Context

The Hebrew term often translated as "devote" is "ḥērem," which implies a complete dedication to God, often through destruction or sacrifice. This is seen in the context of warfare, where certain cities or peoples were devoted to destruction as an offering to God. In Leviticus 27:28-29 , it is stated: "But nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a person, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death."

The concept of devoting is also evident in the practice of the Nazirite vow, where individuals voluntarily dedicated themselves to God for a period, abstaining from wine, not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with the dead (Numbers 6:1-21). This vow was a form of personal devotion, signifying a special consecration to the Lord.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the idea of devoting oneself to God is expanded to include a life of service and worship. Romans 12:1 exhorts believers: "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." Here, devotion is seen as a holistic offering of one's life to God, encompassing both spiritual and practical aspects.

The early church also practiced devotion in communal life, as seen in Acts 2:42 : "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This passage highlights the commitment of the early Christians to spiritual growth, community, and worship.

Theological Implications

Devotion in the biblical sense is not merely an external act but a profound internal commitment. It involves the heart, mind, and actions, reflecting a life wholly surrendered to God's will. This devotion is both a response to God's grace and a means of experiencing His presence and power.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, devoting oneself to God can take many forms, including prayer, study of Scripture, service to others, and living a life that reflects Christ's teachings. It is a call to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness in every aspect of life, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33 : "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."

In summary, devoting in the biblical sense is a comprehensive dedication to God, encompassing both the sacred and the everyday, and is central to the life of faith.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Devote.4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly
... Word Origin from pros and kartereo Definition to attend constantly NASB Word Usage
continually devoting themselves (2), continued (1), continuing (1), devote ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4342.htm - 8k

4912. sunecho -- to hold together, to hold fast, pass. to be ...
... to be seized (by illness) NASB Word Usage afflicted (1), controls (1), covered
(1), crowding (1), devoting...completely (1), distressed (1), gripped (1), hard ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4912.htm - 7k

5389. philotimeomai -- to love or seek after honor
... is (). 5389 ("aspiring for what is honorable") refers to pursuing (devoting
oneself to) what has . Word Origin mid. from a comp. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5389.htm - 7k

Question Lxxxii of Devotion
... Consequently devotion is a special kind of act. Devotion is so termed from "devoting"
oneself. ... Devotion is derived from "devoting oneself" or making vows. ...
/.../aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/question lxxxii of devotion.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Bishop on Account of Bodily Persecution ...
... it would seem unlawful for a bishop to withdraw his bodily presence from the execution
of his office, except perhaps for the purpose of devoting himself to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 11.htm

On Human Temptations.
... So again, the soul, devoting itself to divine and spiritual pursuits, and being
united to the spirit, is said to fight against the flesh, by not permitting it ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter iv on human temptations.htm

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... In which is a custom referred to, proper to be taken notice of: that of devoting
enemies to destruction before the entrance upon a war with them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

Prayer and Consecration
... with God's plans, to holy uses. It is the devoting of all we have to God
for His own specific use. It is a separation from things ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/viii prayer and consecration.htm

With the Rev. William Burns
... Failing in this attempt, he made his headquarters in Shanghai for a season, devoting
himself to the evangelisation of the surrounding populous regions. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xi with the rev.htm

Preface
... as what may be previous to his sincerely accepting the Gospel, and devoting himself
to the service of God; yet I would by no means be thought to insinuate ...
/.../doddridge/the rise and progress of religion in the soul/preface.htm

Fighting Holiness
... I like the words 'fight' and 'fighting', because they involve taking a side, and
devoting oneself to secure victory for the side one belongs to. ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xv fighting holiness.htm

Our Lord-Sanctifying Himself
... and within a few hours of His death on the cross, He is still sanctifying
Himself"that is, surrendering Himself, dedicating Himself, devoting Himself, to ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/x our lord-sanctifying himself.htm

Of Self-Surrender
... things, whether for soul or body, whether for time or eternity; by leaving what
is past in oblivion, what is to come to Providence, and devoting the present ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter vi of self-surrender.htm

Devoting (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Devote. Multi-Version
Concordance Devoting (7 Occurrences). Acts 1:14 All these with ...
/d/devoting.htm - 8k

Accursed (26 Occurrences)
... These various renderings are due to the fact that the word cherem sometimes means
the act of devoting or banning or the condition or state resulting therefrom ...
/a/accursed.htm - 18k

Devotion (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of devoting; consecration. 2.
(n.) The state of being devoted; addiction; eager inclination ...
/d/devotion.htm - 12k

Heresy (2 Occurrences)
... Polybius refers to those devoting themselves to the study of Greek literature
as given to the Hellenike hairesis. It was used not ...
/h/heresy.htm - 12k

Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:6 Why, this is really the reason you pay taxes; for tax-gatherers are
ministers of God, devoting their energies to this very work. (WEY). ...
/t/tax-gatherers.htm - 11k

Really (100 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 13:6 Why, this is really the reason you pay taxes; for tax-gatherers
are ministers of God, devoting their energies to this very work. (WEY). ...
/r/really.htm - 35k

Energies (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:6 Why, this is really the reason you pay taxes; for tax-gatherers are
ministers of God, devoting their energies to this very work. (WEY). ...
/e/energies.htm - 7k

Devoteth (3 Occurrences)

/d/devoteth.htm - 7k

Devote (36 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 3:6 and we devote them, as we have done to Sihon king of Heshbon,
devoting every city, men, the women, and the infants; (YLT). ...
/d/devote.htm - 18k

Dedication (16 Occurrences)
... Solomon's temple. 2. (n.) A devoting or setting aside for any particular
purpose; as, a dedication of lands to public use. 3. (n ...
/d/dedication.htm - 15k

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