Definition and General Overview:

Order, in a biblical context, refers to the arrangement, organization, and structure established by God in creation, society, and the church. It signifies harmony, purpose, and the divine orchestration of events and relationships according to God's will. The concept of order is foundational to understanding God's nature and His expectations for human conduct.

Order in Creation:

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God brings order out of chaos. Genesis 1:1-2 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Through a series of creative acts, God establishes order, separating light from darkness, waters from dry land, and creating living beings according to their kinds. This divine order reflects God's wisdom and power, as seen in Psalm 104:24 : "How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures."

Order in Society:

God's order extends to human society, where He establishes structures for governance and justice. Romans 13:1-2 emphasizes the importance of submitting to governing authorities: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God." This passage underscores the belief that societal order is divinely instituted and that rebellion against lawful authority is tantamount to resisting God's ordinance.

Order in the Family:

The family unit is another area where God's order is evident. Ephesians 5:22-25 outlines the roles within a Christian household: "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This passage highlights the complementary roles of husbands and wives, rooted in mutual love and respect, reflecting the order and unity found in the relationship between Christ and the church.

Order in the Church:

The New Testament provides guidance on maintaining order within the church. 1 Corinthians 14:40 instructs, "But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner." This directive is given in the context of spiritual gifts and worship, emphasizing the need for edification and peace within the congregation. Church leadership is also structured according to divine order, with qualifications for elders and deacons outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9.

Order in Personal Conduct:

Believers are called to live orderly lives, reflecting God's character and commands. Colossians 3:23 encourages, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." This verse highlights the importance of diligence, integrity, and purpose in all aspects of life, aligning personal conduct with God's order.

Eschatological Order:

The Bible also speaks of a future order, where God's ultimate plan for creation will be fulfilled. Revelation 21:1-4 describes the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. This eschatological vision assures believers of the restoration of perfect order, as God intended from the beginning.

Conclusion:

The concept of order permeates the biblical narrative, revealing God's sovereignty and purpose in creation, society, family, church, and individual lives. It calls believers to align themselves with God's divine order, living in harmony with His will and reflecting His glory in all things.1 Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) Regular arrangement; any methodical or established succession or harmonious relation; method; system

2. (n.) A proper arrangement, like the books in a library.

3. (n.) intellectual notions or ideas.

4. (n.) of periods of time or occurrences, and the like.

5. (n.) Right arrangement; a normal, correct, or fit condition; as, the house is in order; the machinery is out of order.

6. (n.) The customary mode of procedure; established system, as in the conduct of debates or the transaction of business; usage; custom; fashion.

7. (n.) Conformity with law or decorum; freedom from disturbance; general tranquility; public quiet; as, to preserve order in a community or an assembly.

8. (n.) That which prescribes a method of procedure; a rule or regulation made by competent authority; as, the rules and orders of the senate.

9. (n.) A command; a mandate; a precept; a direction.

10. (n.) Hence: A commission to purchase, sell, or supply goods; a direction, in writing, to pay money, to furnish supplies, to admit to a building, a place of entertainment, or the like; as, orders for blankets are large.

11. (n.) A number of things or persons arranged in a fixed or suitable place, or relative position; a rank; a row; a grade; especially, a rank or class in society; a group or division of men in the same social or other position; also, a distinct character, kind, or sort; as, the higher or lower orders of society; talent of a high order.

12. (n.) A body of persons having some common honorary distinction or rule of obligation; esp., a body of religious persons or aggregate of convents living under a common rule; as, the Order of the Bath; the Franciscan order.

13. (n.) An ecclesiastical grade or rank, as of deacon, priest, or bishop; the office of the Christian ministry; -- often used in the plural; as, to take orders, or to take holy orders, that is, to enter some grade of the ministry.

14. (n.) The disposition of a column and its component parts, and of the entablature resting upon it, in classical architecture; hence (as the column and entablature are the characteristic features of classical architecture) a style or manner of architectural designing.

15. (n.) An assemblage of genera having certain important characters in common; as, the Carnivora and Insectivora are orders of Mammalia.

16. (n.) The placing of words and members in a sentence in such a manner as to contribute to force and beauty or clearness of expression.

17. (n.) Rank; degree; thus, the order of a curve or surface is the same as the degree of its equation.

18. (n.) To put in order; to reduce to a methodical arrangement; to arrange in a series, or with reference to an end. Hence, to regulate; to dispose; to direct; to rule.

19. (n.) To give an order to; to command; as, to order troops to advance.

20. (n.) To give an order for; to secure by an order; as, to order a carriage; to order groceries.

21. (n.) To admit to holy orders; to ordain; to receive into the ranks of the ministry.

22. (v. i.) To give orders; to issue commands.

ORDER

or'-der (`arakh, "to arrange"; tassein (diatassein, taxis, tagma)): "Order" in Biblical phrases may indicate

(1) arrangement in rows,

(2) sequence in time,

(3) classification and organization,

(4) likeness or manner,

(5) regulation, direction or command, or

(6) the declaring of a will.

In many passages it is difficult if not impossible to determine from the English text alone in which of these senses the word is used.

1. Arrangement in Rows:

The fundamental idea suggested by the Hebrew, Greek and English words is that of arrangement in rows. Thus "order" is used in the Bible of arranging wood for an altar (Leviticus 1:7 1 Kings 18:33; compare Hebrew Genesis 22:9 Isaiah 30:33); of laying out flax-stalks for drying (Joshua 2:6); of preparing offerings (Leviticus 1:8, 12; compare Luke 6:5 Judges 6:26); of arranging lamps (Exodus 27:21; Exodus 39:37 Leviticus 24:3, 4; compare Psalm 132:17); of placing the shewbread on the table (Exodus 40:4, 23 Leviticus 6:12; Leviticus 24:8 2 Chronicles 13:11); of drawing up the battle array (1 Chronicles 12:38 (Hebrew 39, `adhar)); and of arranging weapons in order for battle (Jeremiah 46:3, the American Standard Revised Version "prepare"). As a verb "to order" in the older versions usually has the obsolete sense "to arrange" and not the more usual English meanings, "to demand" or "to direct." Thus: "In the tent of meeting shall Aaron order it" (Leviticus 24:4, the American Standard Revised Version "keep in order"); "Order ye the buckler and shield" (Jeremiah 46:3; compare Psalm 119:133 Job 23:4, the American Standard Revised Version "set in order"; Judith 2:16; The Wisdom of Solomon 8:1; 15:01; Ecclesiasticus 2:6). The Hebrew pa`am (literally, "hoof-beat," "occurrence," "repetition") in the plural conveys the idea of an architectural plan (Ezekiel 41:6). Another word, shalabh, literally, "to join," in connection with the tabernacle, has in some versions been translated as including the idea of orderly arrangement (Exodus 26:17). The word "order" standing by itself may mean orderly or proper arrangement (1 Esdras 1:10; The Wisdom of Solomon 7:29; 1 Maccabees 6:40; Colossians 2:5). Akin to the idea of arranging things in a row is that of arranging words (Job 33:5; Job 37:19 Psalm 5:3), of recounting things in order (Isaiah 44:7 Luke 1:1 the King James Version (diatassein); Luke 1:3 Acts 11:4 (kathexes)), of setting forth a legal case (Job 23:4; Job 13:18; compare Psalm 50:21). From the idea of arranging in order for the purpose of comparison the Hebrew `arakh acquires the meaning "to compare" (Isaiah 40:18 Psalm 89:7). This is clearly the meaning of 'en `arokh 'elekha (Psalm 40:5 (Hebrew 6)), where "They cannot be set in order unto thee" must be interpreted to mean "There is nothing that can be compared unto thee."

2. Sequence in Time:

As the fundamental meaning of `arakh is arrangement in space, that of cadhar is order or sequence in time. In later Hebrew cedher was used in the sense of "program." In Job 10:22 lo' cedharim, absence of regularity, in the description of the uncertain period that follows death probably means "confusion in time." (The Septuagint (pheggos) suggests, in the place of cedharim, a word for "light," possibly tsohorayim.) In the New Testament we find "order" used of time in connection with the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:23 (tagma)) and of a succession of places visited (Acts 18:23 (kathexes)). The phrase "in order unto" (Psalm 119:38) expresses causal sequence and hence, purpose.

3. Classification and Organization:

The idea of classification is present in the Hebrew taqan, translated "set in order," with reference to a collection of proverbs (Ecclesiastes 12:9). The same stem is used with reference to the arranging of singers before the altar (Hebrew Ecclesiasticus 47:9), The classification of priests according to their service is spoken of as "ordering" (1 Chronicles 24:3, 19, Hebrew paqadh). Next to the high priests ranked priests of the second order (mishneh, 2 Kings 23:4; compare 25:18 parallel Jeremiah 52:24). The related concept of organization is present where the Hebrew kun (literally, "to establish".) is translated "order" (Isaiah 9:7 the King James Version, "to establish" the American Standard Revised Version; Psalm 119:133 2 Chronicles 29:35; compare 1 Maccabees 16:14). A similar use of the term "order" is found in the New Testament in connection with the organization of the affairs of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1 (diatassein); Titus 1:5 (epidiorthoo); 1 Corinthians 11:34).

4. Likeness or Manner:

"Order," in the sense of likeness or manner, is used in the phrase "after the order of Melchisedek" to translate the Hebrew `al dibherath, or rather the archaic form `al dibherathi (Psalm 110:4), which in other passages is translated "because of" (compare Ecclesiastes 3:18; Ecclesiastes 7:14; Ecclesiastes 8:2). This well-known phrase is rendered in Septuagint kata ten taxin, a translation adopted in Hebrews 5:6, 10; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:11, 17, where the passage from Psalm is made the basis of an extended argument, in the course of which "order" is taken in the sense of "likeness" (Hebrews 7:16).

5. Regulation, Direction, Command:

In the sense of regulation, we find "order" as a translation of mishpaT (which is literally, "the ruling of a shopheT," whether as a judicial decree or legislative act) in connection with the conduct of priests (1 Chronicles 6:32 (Hebrew 17); 2 Chronicles 30:16; compare Luke 1:8; 1 Esdras 1:6), and with reference to the Nazirite regulations in the story of Samson (Judges 13:12, the Revised Version (British and American) "manner"), church services (1 Corinthians 14:40) and, in the older English VSS, with reference to other ritual matters (1 Chronicles 15:13; 1 Chronicles 23:31 2 Chronicles 8:14, the American Standard Revised Version "ordinance"). The phrase `al yadh, literally, "according to the hand of," translated in Ezra 3:10 1 Chronicles 25:2 b, 3, 6 twice in various ways, means "under the direction of," or "under the order of," as translated in the last instance. The modern sense of "command" is suggested here and in several other instances (1 Esdras 8:10; 1 Maccabees 9:55). He "that ordereth his conversation aright" (sam derekh, Psalm 50:23) is probably one who chooses the right path and directs his steps along it. "Who shall order the battle?" (1 Kings 20:14) is corrected in the American Standard Revised Version: "Who shall begin the battle?" (compare 2 Chronicles 13:3, Hebrew 'acar, literally, "to bind," hence, "to join" or "begin"; compare proelium committere).

6. Declaring of Last Will:

The phrase "to set one's house in order" (Isaiah 38:1 parallel 2 Kings 20:1 2 Samuel 17:23), used of Hezekiah and Ahithophel, in contemplation of death, means to give final instructions to one's household or to make one's will. The Hebrew tsawah used in this phrase is the stem found in the later Hebrew tsawwa'ah, "a verbal will" (Babha' Bathra' 147a, 151b; BDB). Great moral weight was attached in Biblical times to the charges laid upon a household by a deceased father or remoter ancestor, not only as to the disposition of property but also as to personal conduct. (Compare the case of the Rechabites, where the same Hebrew expression is used, tsiwwah `alenu, Jeremiah 35:6.)

Nathan Isaacs

2443. hina -- in order that, that, so that
... in order that, that, so that. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: hina
Phonetic Spelling: (hin'-ah) Short Definition: in order that, so that Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2443.htm - 7k

5010. taxis -- an arranging, order
... an arranging, order. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: taxis Phonetic
Spelling: (tax'-is) Short Definition: order, position, rank Definition: order ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5010.htm - 7k

5021. tasso -- to draw up in order, arrange
... to draw up in order, arrange. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: tasso Phonetic
Spelling: (tas'-so) Short Definition: I assign, arrange Definition: (a) I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5021.htm - 7k

2885. kosmeo -- to order, arrange
... to order, arrange. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kosmeo Phonetic Spelling:
(kos-meh'-o) Short Definition: I put into order, adorn Definition: I put into ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2885.htm - 7k

5001. tagma -- that which has been arranged in order, spec. a ...
... 5000, 5001. tagma. 5002 . that which has been arranged in order, spec. ... See 5021 ().
5001 ("order") extends to the . [Compare Ps 139:16 with Eph 1:11; cf. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5001.htm - 7k

812. atakteo -- to be out of order, be remiss
... to be out of order, be remiss. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: atakteo Phonetic
Spelling: (at-ak-teh'-o) Short Definition: I behave disorderly Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/812.htm - 6k

392. anatassomai -- to arrange in order
... to arrange in order. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anatassomai Phonetic
Spelling: (an-at-as'-som-ahee) Short Definition: I arrange, draw up, compose ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/392.htm - 6k

813. ataktos -- out of order, out of place
... out of order, out of place. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ataktos Phonetic
Spelling: (at'-ak-tos) Short Definition: disorderly, slack Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/813.htm - 7k

3853. paraggello -- to transmit a message, to order
... to transmit a message, to order. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: paraggello
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ang-gel'-lo) Short Definition: I notify, command ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3853.htm - 9k

1785. entole -- an injunction, order, command
... an injunction, order, command. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: entole
Phonetic Spelling: (en-tol-ay') Short Definition: an ordinance, injunction ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1785.htm - 7k

6680. tsavah -- to lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command ...
... tsavah. 6681 . to lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order.
Transliteration: tsavah Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-vaw') Short Definition: commanded. ...
/hebrew/6680.htm - 6k

6186a. arak -- to arrange or set in order
... 6186, 6186a. arak. 6186b . to arrange or set in order. Transliteration:
arak Short Definition: arrayed. Word Origin a prim. root ...
/hebrew/6186a.htm - 6k

5468. seder -- arrangement, order
... 5467, 5468. seder. 5469 . arrangement, order. Transliteration: seder
Phonetic Spelling: (seh'-der) Short Definition: order. Word ...
/hebrew/5468.htm - 5k

6187. erek -- an order, row, estimate
... 6186b, 6187. erek. 6188 . an order, row, estimate. Transliteration: erek
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'rek) Short Definition: valuation. ...
/hebrew/6187.htm - 6k

6186. arak -- to arrange or set in order
... 6185, 6186. arak. 6186a . to arrange or set in order. Transliteration:
arak Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rak') Short Definition: array. ...
/hebrew/6186.htm - 5k

8314b. saraph -- probably one of an order of angelic beings
... 8314a, 8314b. saraph. 8315 . probably one of an order of angelic beings.
Transliteration: saraph Short Definition: seraphim. Word ...
/hebrew/8314b.htm - 5k

3742. kerub -- probably an order of angelic beings
... 3741, 3742. kerub. 3743 . probably an order of angelic beings. Transliteration:
kerub Phonetic Spelling: (ker-oob') Short Definition: cherubim. ...
/hebrew/3742.htm - 6k

8627. teqan -- to be in order
... 8626, 8627. teqan. 8628 . to be in order. Transliteration: teqan Phonetic
Spelling: (tek-an') Short Definition: reestablished. Word ...
/hebrew/8627.htm - 6k

4932. mishneh -- a double, copy, second
... twofold (2). college, copy, double, fatlings, next, second order, twice as
much. From shanah; properly, a repetition, ie A duplicate ...
/hebrew/4932.htm - 6k

1700. dibrah -- a cause, reason, manner
... Word Origin from dabar Definition a cause, reason, manner NASB Word Usage cause
(1), concerning* (1), order (1), so* (1). cause, end, estate, order, regard. ...
/hebrew/1700.htm - 6k

The Order of the Books
... THE ORDER OF THE BOOKS. ... This order has its advantages, but it obscures many important
facts of which the Hebrew order preserves a reminiscence. ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/the order of the books.htm

Whether the Episcopate is an Order?
... OF THE THINGS ANNEXED TO THE SACRAMENT OF ORDER (SEVEN ARTICLES) Whether
the episcopate is an Order? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the episcopate is an.htm

Whether the Tonsure is an Order?
... OF THE THINGS ANNEXED TO THE SACRAMENT OF ORDER (SEVEN ARTICLES) Whether the tonsure
is an Order? Objection 1: It would seem that the tonsure is an Order. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the tonsure is an.htm

Whether Order is a Sacrament?
... HOLY ORDERS (QQ -40) Whether Order is a sacrament? Objection 1: It would seem that
Order is not a sacrament. For a sacrament, according to Hugh of St. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether order is a sacrament.htm

Of the Order in which the Narrative Concerning Peter's Mother-In ...
... The Prologue. Chapter XXI."Of the Order in Which the Narrative Concerning
Peter's Mother-In-Law is Introduced. 51. Matthew proceeds ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxi of the order in.htm

Whether Order is Properly Defined?
... HOLY ORDERS (QQ -40) Whether Order is properly defined? Objection 1: It would
seem that order is improperly defined by the Master (Sent. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether order is properly defined.htm

Whether There is Order in Charity?
... OF THE ORDER OF CHARITY (THIRTEEN ARTICLES) Whether there is order in charity?
Objection 1: It would seem that there is no order in charity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is order in.htm

In Order to This
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 14 In order to this. In order to this, he furnished himself
with this maxim: It is a good thing to be happy alone. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/14 in order to this.htm

Whether Order is an Impediment to Matrimony?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF VOWS AND ORDERS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether order is an
impediment to matrimony? ... But order is not contrary to matrimony. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether order is an impediment.htm

The Reason of the Order of the Sons of Leah.
... THE VISION The Reason of the Order of the Sons of Leah. Judah, Reuben,
Gad, Aser, constitute, as you see, the first quaternion of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the reason of the order.htm

Order (809 Occurrences)
... like. 5. (n.) Right arrangement; a normal, correct, or fit condition; as,
the house is in order; the machinery is out of order. 6 ...
/o/order.htm - 48k

Belonging (90 Occurrences)
... Galatians 3:14 Our freedom has been thus purchased in order that in Christ Jesus
the blessing belonging to Abraham may come upon the nations, so that through ...
/b/belonging.htm - 34k

Array (63 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Order; a regular and imposing arrangement; disposition in regular
lines; hence, order of battle; as, drawn up in battle array. ...
/a/array.htm - 30k

Alphabet (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The letters of a language arranged in the customary order; the series
of letters or signs which form the elements of written language. ...
/a/alphabet.htm - 24k

Acrostic (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A composition, usually in verse, in which the first or the last letters
of the lines, or certain other letters, taken in order, form a name, word ...
/a/acrostic.htm - 15k

Addressed (23 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:2 went to the High Priest and begged from him letters addressed to the
synagogues in Damascus, in order that if he found any believers there, either men ...
/a/addressed.htm - 13k

Arrangement (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of putting in an orderly condition; the
state of being arranged or put in order; disposition in suitable form. ...
/a/arrangement.htm - 13k

Sequence (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Succession; order of following; arrangement. ... Acts
11:4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, (See NAS). ...
/s/sequence.htm - 7k

Sharers (14 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs too--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ;
if indeed we are sharers in Christ's sufferings, in order that we may also ...
/s/sharers.htm - 10k

Subordinate (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Placed in a lower order, class, or rank;
holding a lower or inferior position. 2. (a.) Inferior ...
/s/subordinate.htm - 7k

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