The concept of "enroll" in the Bible often pertains to the act of registering or recording individuals for various purposes, such as censuses, genealogies, or specific duties. This term is significant in understanding the organization and structure within the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the nation of Israel and the early Christian church.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, enrollment is frequently associated with censuses conducted for military or administrative purposes. One of the most notable instances is found in the Book of Numbers, where God commands Moses to take a census of the entire Israelite community. Numbers 1:2-3 states, "Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army."

This enrollment was crucial for organizing the tribes of Israel, preparing for military campaigns, and ensuring the proper distribution of land and resources. The act of enrolling individuals in a census was not merely administrative but also held spiritual significance, as it demonstrated God's sovereign oversight and care for His chosen people.

Genealogical Records

Enrollment also plays a vital role in maintaining genealogical records, which were essential for establishing tribal identities, inheritance rights, and priestly duties. The genealogies found in books like 1 Chronicles serve as a testament to the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative. These records ensured that the promises made to the patriarchs were preserved through successive generations.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of enrollment is evident in the account of the birth of Jesus Christ. Luke 2:1-3 records, "Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register."

This enrollment, mandated by Roman authority, led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in the city of David. The enrollment here underscores God's providential orchestration of historical events to accomplish His divine purposes.

Spiritual Implications

Beyond the literal act of enrollment, the Bible also uses the concept metaphorically to describe spiritual realities. In Hebrews 12:23 , believers are described as being enrolled in heaven: "to the assembly of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven." This enrollment signifies the believer's secure place in the heavenly kingdom, assured by faith in Jesus Christ.

The idea of being enrolled in the Book of Life is another profound spiritual metaphor found in Revelation 20:15 : "And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." This highlights the eternal significance of being enrolled among God's people, emphasizing the importance of salvation and the believer's ultimate destiny.

Conclusion

The concept of enrollment in the Bible, whether in the context of censuses, genealogies, or spiritual metaphors, reflects the order, purpose, and divine sovereignty that permeate the biblical narrative. It underscores the importance of identity, belonging, and the fulfillment of God's promises throughout history.1. (n.) To insert in a roil; to register or enter in a list or catalogue or on rolls of court; hence, to record; to insert in records; to leave in writing; as, to enroll men for service; to enroll a decree or a law; also, reflexively, to enlist.

2. (n.) To envelop; to enwrap; to involve.

583. apographo -- to copy, enroll
... to copy, enroll. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apographo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-og-raf'-o) Short Definition: I enroll, inscribe in a register Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/583.htm - 6k

2639. katalego -- to lay down, choose out
... Verb Transliteration: katalego Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al-eg'-o) Short Definition:
I enter in a list, register Definition: I enter in a list, register, enroll. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2639.htm - 6k

4785. sugkatapsephizomai -- to condemn with, spec. to vote (one) a ...
... number with. From sun and a compound of kata and psephizo; to count down in company
with, ie Enroll among -- number with. see GREEK sun. see GREEK kata. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4785.htm - 6k

3187. yachas -- to enroll oneself or be enrolled by genealogy
... 3186, 3187. yachas. 3188 . to enroll oneself or be enrolled by genealogy.
Transliteration: yachas Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-khas') Short Definition: genealogy ...
/hebrew/3187.htm - 6k

4487. manah -- to count, number, reckon
... A primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute
officially; also to enumerate or enroll -- appoint, count, number, prepare, set ...
/hebrew/4487.htm - 6k

Luke's Account of the Enrollment
... This was the first enrollment, made when Quirinius was governing Syria. And
all went to enroll themselves, every one to his own city. ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 6 lukes account of.htm

The Birth of Jesus.
... Roman province including all Palestine, and a tract four or five times as large
lying to the northeast of Palestine.] 3 And all went to enroll themselves [The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/x the birth of jesus.htm

Elucidations
... with the Christians, as Pilate's was with their Master; and now, when it became
less perilous, they began to laugh at idols, and even to enroll themselves with ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/elucidations.htm

Jefferson -- the Reconciliation
... that light. It refuses to enroll Him among the teachers or reformers or
philanthropists or the martyrs of our race. According to ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/jefferson the reconciliation.htm

Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
... Nor sweets of pard'ning love,. Unless your worthless names had been. Enroll'd to
life above. O what a sweet exalted son. Shall rend the vaulted skies,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/exposition of the doctrines of.htm

The Gospel.
... to regulate the taxes paid by the conquered countries, to provide corn for the poorer
Roman citizens, sent out an edict that each person should enroll his name ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xx the gospel.htm

He that Overcometh
... They go about looking, so to speak, for a "soft course" in the curriculum
of life, hoping to enroll in it and be free from trouble. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xliv he that overcometh.htm

Some Places Bordering Upon Tsippor. Jeshanah. Ketsarah. Shihin.
... the catalogue of Jeshanah of Tsippor." The Gloss is, "There was a neighbour city
to Tsippor, whose name was Jeshanah; and it was customary to enroll them who ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 83 some places bordering.htm

Free Communion Baptists.
... a tract written in defence of his views on this subject, he remarks, "It is too
much to expect an enlightened public will be eager to enroll themselves among ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/free communion baptists.htm

The Fellowship of those who Fear the Lord. --Malachi iii. 16-18 ...
... When those who fear'd the Lord of old. Met oft, and spoke with one accord,. A book
was written, and enroll'd. Their faithful names before the Lord. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cxlix the fellowship of.htm

Enroll (4 Occurrences)
... in a roil; to register or enter in a list or catalogue or on rolls of court; hence,
to record; to insert in records; to leave in writing; as, to enroll men for ...
/e/enroll.htm - 7k

Enrol (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enrol (3 Occurrences). Luke 2:3 All went to enroll
themselves, everyone to his own city. (Root in WEB ASV YLT RSV). ...
/e/enrol.htm - 7k

Enrolled (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Enroll. Multi-Version Concordance ... Luke
2:5 to enroll himself with Mary his betrothed wife, being with child. (See RSV). ...
/e/enrolled.htm - 13k

Register (14 Occurrences)
... future use or service. 16. (n.) To enroll; to enter in a list. 17. (vi) To
enroll one's name in a register. 18. (vi) To correspond in ...
/r/register.htm - 13k

Enlist (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To enroll; to register; as to enlist for
military service. 2. (vt) To engage for military or naval ...
/e/enlist.htm - 7k

Roll (57 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Luke 2:3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own
city. (Root in WEB DBY YLT RSV). Luke 2:5 to enroll himself ...
/r/roll.htm - 33k

List (17 Occurrences)
... as if with list. 21. (vt) To enroll; to place or register in a list. 22.
(vt) To engage, as a soldier; to enlist. 23. (vt) To cut ...
/l/list.htm - 14k

Invalid (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To make or render invalid or infirm. 6. (vt) To classify or enroll as
an invalid. Multi-Version Concordance Invalid (3 Occurrences). ...
/i/invalid.htm - 7k

Record (71 Occurrences)
... or the like; to make note of; to write or enter in a book or on parchment, for the
purpose of preserving authentic evidence of; to register; to enroll; as, to ...
/r/record.htm - 29k

Engaged (31 Occurrences)
... The virgin's name was Mary. (See NAS). Luke 2:5 to enroll himself with Mary, who
was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. (See NAS). ...
/e/engaged.htm - 15k

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