Oration
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Oration, in the biblical context, refers to the act of delivering a formal speech or discourse, often with the intent to persuade, instruct, or inspire an audience. The Bible contains several instances of orations, delivered by prophets, apostles, and other key figures, which serve as significant moments of teaching, proclamation, and revelation.

Old Testament Orations

In the Old Testament, orations are often delivered by prophets who speak on behalf of God. These speeches are typically characterized by calls to repentance, declarations of judgment, or promises of hope and restoration. One notable example is the oration of Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy, where he addresses the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Moses recounts the laws and commandments given by God, urging the people to remain faithful. Deuteronomy 5:1 states, "Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, 'Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and observe them carefully.'"

Another significant oration is found in the Book of Isaiah, where the prophet Isaiah delivers messages of both judgment and hope. Isaiah 1:18 captures the essence of his oratory style: "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'"

New Testament Orations

The New Testament also contains numerous examples of orations, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles. One of the most prominent is the speech delivered by the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost. In Acts 2:14-36, Peter addresses the crowd, explaining the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. Acts 2:38 records Peter's call to action: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

The Apostle Paul is also known for his powerful orations, often delivered in synagogues, public forums, and before rulers. In Acts 17:22-31, Paul addresses the people of Athens at the Areopagus, using their altar to an unknown god as a starting point to proclaim the one true God. Acts 17:24-25 states, "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."

Characteristics of Biblical Orations

Biblical orations are marked by their divine authority, as the speakers often claim to speak on behalf of God. They are characterized by a call to action, whether it be repentance, faith, or obedience. The orations are also deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of the time, addressing the specific needs and circumstances of the audience.

Furthermore, biblical orations often include elements of prophecy, revealing God's plans and purposes for His people. They serve as a means of communication between God and humanity, conveying His will and intentions.

The Role of Oration in the Early Church

In the early church, oration played a crucial role in the spread of the Gospel. The apostles and early Christians used public speaking as a primary method of evangelism and teaching. The ability to articulate the message of Christ clearly and persuasively was essential for the growth of the church and the establishment of Christian doctrine.

Oration, as seen in the Bible, is a powerful tool for conveying truth, inspiring faith, and calling individuals and communities to align with God's purposes. It remains a vital aspect of Christian ministry and proclamation today.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an important subject in a formal and dignified manner; especially, a discourse having reference to some special occasion, as a funeral, an anniversary, a celebration, or the like; -- distinguished from an argument in court, a popular harangue, a sermon, a lecture, etc.; as, Webster's oration at Bunker Hill.

2. (v. i.) To deliver an oration.

Greek
1215. demegoreo -- to deliver a public address
... make an oration. From a compound of demos and agora; to be a people-gatherer, ie
To address a public assembly -- make an oration. see GREEK demos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1215.htm - 6k
Library

The Oration and Panegyric Addressed to Origen
The Oration and Panegyric Addressed to Origen. <. The Oration and Panegyric
Addressed to Origen Gregory Thaumaturgus. Translated by the Rev. ...
/.../thaumaturgus/the oration and panegyric addressed to origen/

Prologue to the Oration.
... The Oration of Eusebius Pamphilus, in praise of the Emperor Constantine. Pronounced
on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. Prologue to the Oration. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/prologue to the oration.htm

Oration on the Palms.
... Fragments Oration on the Palms. ... Amen. Footnotes: [3109] [Dupin hardly credits this
oration to Methodius. See elucidation, p. 398.]. [3110] Psalm 84:8. ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/oration on the palms.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... Introduction to Oration II. It is generally agreed that this oration was
not intended for oral delivery. Its object was to explain ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

The Oration. To-Day is the Festival of Our Great Emperor: and we ...
... The Oration of Eusebius Pamphilus, in praise of the Emperor Constantine. Pronounced
on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. Chapter I."The Oration. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter i the oration to-day is.htm

Oration of Eusebius.
... II."Special Prolegomena. Section 3. Oration of Eusebius. The Editions
and Translations of this work are substantially identical ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 oration of eusebius.htm

Oration of Constantine.
... II."Special Prolegomena. Section 2. Oration of Constantine. The Editions and
Translations of this work are substantially identical with those of the Life. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 2 oration of constantine.htm

The Oration of Moses at the Rehearsal of the Blessing and the ...
... ORATORY I THE ORATION OF MOSES AT THE REHEARSAL OF THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE.
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/i the oration of moses.htm

The Fifth Theological Oration.
... The Fifth Theological Oration. On the Holy Spirit. I. Such then is the account
of the Son, and in this manner He has escaped those ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/the fifth theological oration.htm

Funeral Oration on Meletius .
... V."Oratorical Works. Funeral Oration on Meletius . ... Of the "translation" of the remains
to his own metropolis, described in this oration, Sozomen (vii. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/funeral oration on meletius.htm

Thesaurus
Oration (1 Occurrence)
... a celebration, or the like; -- distinguished from an argument in court, a popular
harangue, a sermon, a lecture, etc.; as, Webster's oration at Bunker Hill. ...
/o/oration.htm - 7k

Orator (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A public speaker; one who delivers an oration; especially, one distinguished
for his skill and power as a public speaker; one who is eloquent. ...
/o/orator.htm - 9k

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)
... In 1855 Mariette purchased a fragment of Alcman for the Louvre, and in 1856
Mr. Stobart obtained the funeral oration of Hyperides. ...
/p/papyrus.htm - 34k

Ortion
... is here the equivalent of the older Greek sunegoros, "the prosecuting counsel,"
as opposed to the sundikos, "the defendant's advocate." Oration occurs only in ...
/o/ortion.htm - 8k

Kingly (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:21 and on a set day, Herod having arrayed himself in kingly apparel, and
having sat down upon the tribunal, was making an oration unto them, (YLT). ...
/k/kingly.htm - 10k

Oracularly (2 Occurrences)

/o/oracularly.htm - 7k

Elevated (4 Occurrences)
... Elevated (4 Occurrences). Acts 12:21 And on a set day, clothed in royal apparel
and sitting on the elevated seat of honour, Herod made a public oration to them. ...
/e/elevated.htm - 7k

Pronounce (47 Occurrences)
... sentence of death. 3. (vt) To speak or utter rhetorically; to deliver;
to recite; as, to pronounce an oration. 4. (vt) To declare ...
/p/pronounce.htm - 22k

Citizenship (4 Occurrences)
... a sacrilege. Cicero's oration against Verres indicates the almost fanatical
extreme to which this feeling had been carried. Yet ...
/c/citizenship.htm - 16k

Arrayed (46 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his
throne, and made an oration unto them. (KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT). ...
/a/arrayed.htm - 20k

Resources
Who were the Cappadocian Fathers? | GotQuestions.org

Oration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Oration (1 Occurrence)

Acts 12:21
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Subtopics

Oration

Related Terms

Ortion

Tertullus (2 Occurrences)

Eloquent (4 Occurrences)

Pulpit (1 Occurrence)

Orchard (3 Occurrences)

Oration (1 Occurrence)

Live (3203 Occurrences)

Informations (3 Occurrences)

Informed (39 Occurrences)

First (4693 Occurrences)

Tyrannus (1 Occurrence)

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)

Tribune (18 Occurrences)

Tertul'lus (2 Occurrences)

Rhodes (2 Occurrences)

Rostrum (1 Occurrence)

Embarrass (2 Occurrences)

Descended (64 Occurrences)

Derbe (4 Occurrences)

Deficient (6 Occurrences)

Passion (82 Occurrences)

Prompt (2 Occurrences)

Boanerges (1 Occurrence)

Cilicia (8 Occurrences)

Counsellor (16 Occurrences)

Captivate (2 Occurrences)

Charges (58 Occurrences)

Charmer (5 Occurrences)

Artisan (1 Occurrence)

Attorney (1 Occurrence)

Artificer (13 Occurrences)

Advocate (7 Occurrences)

Appearance (126 Occurrences)

Anani'as (10 Occurrences)

Acquit (11 Occurrences)

Artemas (1 Occurrence)

Antiquity (8 Occurrences)

Speaker (10 Occurrences)

Star (16 Occurrences)

Spokesman (4 Occurrences)

Stage (5 Occurrences)

Evident (26 Occurrences)

Lawyer (5 Occurrences)

Manifest (74 Occurrences)

Nay (92 Occurrences)

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)

Cunning (43 Occurrences)

Honourable (72 Occurrences)

Fully (153 Occurrences)

Elders (203 Occurrences)

Ananias (11 Occurrences)

Isaiah (64 Occurrences)

Governor (78 Occurrences)

Matter (263 Occurrences)

Book (211 Occurrences)

Priest (500 Occurrences)

Oral Tradition
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