The concept of "represent" in the Bible encompasses the idea of standing in for, symbolizing, or acting on behalf of another. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both human and divine representation.

Old Testament Representation

In the Old Testament, the role of the priesthood is a primary example of representation. The priests, particularly the high priest, represented the people of Israel before God. They performed sacrifices and rituals to atone for the sins of the nation. Leviticus 16:32-33 describes the Day of Atonement, where the high priest makes atonement for the people: "The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly."

The prophets also served as representatives, conveying God's messages to the people. They acted as intermediaries, speaking on behalf of God to guide, warn, and encourage the Israelites.

New Testament Representation

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the ultimate representative. He is the mediator between God and humanity, embodying the perfect representation of God's nature and will. Hebrews 1:3 states, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." Jesus' life, death, and resurrection represent the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

The Apostle Paul frequently discusses the concept of representation in terms of believers' identity in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 , Paul writes, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God." Here, believers are called to represent Christ to the world, acting as His ambassadors.

Theological Implications

Theologically, representation is crucial for understanding the doctrine of atonement. Jesus' sacrificial death is seen as a substitutionary atonement, where He represents humanity, bearing the penalty for sin. Romans 5:18-19 explains, "So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

Practical Application

For believers, the call to represent Christ is both a privilege and a responsibility. Christians are to embody the teachings and character of Jesus in their daily lives, serving as His representatives in the world. This involves living out the principles of love, justice, and mercy, and sharing the message of the Gospel with others.

In summary, the biblical concept of representation is multifaceted, involving roles of mediation, substitution, and embodiment. It is central to understanding the relationship between God and humanity, as well as the mission of the Church in the world.1. (v. t.) To present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify.

2. (v. t.) To portray by pictorial or plastic art; to delineate; as, to represent a landscape in a picture, a horse in bronze, and the like.

3. (v. t.) To portray by mimicry or action of any kind; to act the part or character of; to personate; as, to represent Hamlet.

4. (v. t.) To stand in the place of; to supply the place, perform the duties, exercise the rights, or receive the share, of; to speak and act with authority in behalf of; to act the part of (another); as, an heir represents his ancestor; an attorney represents his client in court; a member of Congress represents his district in Congress.

5. (v. t.) To exhibit to another mind in language; to show; to give one's own impressions and judgment of; to bring before the mind; to set forth; sometimes, to give an account of; to describe.

6. (v. t.) To serve as a sign or symbol of; as, mathematical symbols represent quantities or relations; words represent ideas or things.

7. (v. t.) To bring a sensation of into the mind or sensorium; to cause to be known, felt, or apprehended; to present.

8. (v. t.) To form or image again in consciousness, as an object of cognition or apprehension (something which was originally apprehended by direct presentation). See Presentative, 3.

5548. chrio -- to anoint
... consecrate by anointing. 5548 -- to by rubbing or pouring on someone to represent
the flow (empowering) . Anointing (literally) involved ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5548.htm - 7k

4439. pule -- a gate
... ["Gates" in antiquity generally represent authority/power.]. Word Origin a prim.
word Definition a gate NASB Word Usage gate (8), gates (2). a gate, porch. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4439.htm - 7k

652. apostolos -- a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle
... os) Short Definition: an apostle, a messenger, an envoy, a delegate Definition:
a messenger, envoy, delegate, one commissioned by another to represent him in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/652.htm - 7k

4243. presbeuo -- to be the elder, to take precedence
... 4243 ("act as an ambassador") means to act as an established statesman (diplomat) --
a trusted, respected ambassador who is authorized to speak as (represent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4243.htm - 7k

5020. tartaroo -- to cast into hell
... Gehenna. 5020 -- properly, send to (""). The NT uses 5020 () for the --
the place of . Later, came to represent for . "5020 () is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5020.htm - 7k

4911a. mashal -- to represent, be like
... 4911, 4911a. mashal. 4911b . to represent, be like. Transliteration: mashal
Short Definition: like. Word Origin a prim. root Definition ...
/hebrew/4911a.htm - 5k

4911. mashal -- to represent, be like
... 4910, 4911. mashal. 4911a . to represent, be like. Transliteration: mashal
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-shal') Short Definition: like. ...
/hebrew/4911.htm - 5k

5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... 1), propped (2), quake (1), raise (2), raised (1), refrain (1), rely (1), remain
(5), remained (4), remains (5), replaces* (1), represent (1), resist* (1 ...
/hebrew/5975.htm - 7k

Moreover, in this Way You Represent them as not Only Unstable and ...
... Book I. 19 Moreover, in this way you represent them as not only unstable
and excitable? Moreover, in this way you represent them ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/19 moreover in this way.htm

The Image Cannot Represent the True Form of God, Else God Would be ...
... Against the Heathen. Section 22. The image cannot represent the true form
of God, else God would be corruptible. For if the reason ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 22 the image cannot.htm

And Here, Indeed, we Can Show that all those whom You Represent to ...
... Book IV. 29 And here, indeed, we can show that all those whom you represent
to us as? And here, indeed, we can show that all those ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/29 and here indeed we.htm

On the Second Command in the Decalogue
... a comparison of this same precept with others which are analogous to it or collateral,
it is evident that no image ought to be made to represent God, because ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxxv on the second.htm

Introduction to 'epinoia
... He instances colossi, pigmies, centaurs, as the result of this mental operation.
"Fancy," or "notion," would thus represent Eunomius' view of it. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/introduction to epinoia.htm

Your Apology Says that There are Three Opinions as to the Origin ...
... Aristippus of our day: you bring your ship into the port of Rome full of merchandize
of all kinds; you set your professorial chair on high, and represent to us ...
/.../30 your apology says that.htm

The Entreaties of God
... Oh, dear brethren! this is no mere piece of rhetoric. What facts in the divine heart
does it represent? What facts in the divine conduct does it represent? ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the entreaties of god.htm

Miracles of Healing Solicited by the Sufferers.
... turned and seen her, and spoken the word to her, whereupon he adds: "And the woman
was made whole from that hour." But St Mark and St Luke represent that the ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/v miracles of healing solicited.htm

Symbolism of the Church Building
... old churches were built with the timbers of the roof modeled like the ribs of a
ship, and in some cases the walls were made irregular to represent the sides of ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolism of the church building.htm

Of Contemplation in General; what it Is. ...
... consists in much internal discourse and reasoning, which cannot be practised without
various and distinct sensible images by which to represent God, &c., the ...
/.../chapter i of contemplation in.htm

Represent (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To portray by pictorial or plastic art; to delineate; as, to represent
a landscape in a picture, a horse in bronze, and the like. ...
/r/represent.htm - 10k

Living (3112 Occurrences)
... They are supposed to represent mercy, as distinguished from justice, mercy in its
various instrumentalities, and especially as connected with the throne of God ...
/l/living.htm - 18k

Figure (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A diagram or drawing; made to represent a magnitude or the relation of two
or more magnitudes; a surface or space enclosed on all sides; -- called ...
/f/figure.htm - 19k

Representative (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Fitted to represent; exhibiting a similitude.
2 ... knowledge. See Presentative, 3 and Represent, 8. ...
/r/representative.htm - 10k

Draw (212 Occurrences)
... 16. (vt) To represent by lines drawn; to form a sketch or a picture of; to represent
by a picture; to delineate; hence, to represent by words; to depict; to ...
/d/draw.htm - 41k

Asenath (3 Occurrences)
... The last two consonants appear to represent the name of the Egyptian goddess
Neith. The first part of the name will then represent...
/a/asenath.htm - 8k

Creature (73 Occurrences)
... animal (see Trench's Select Glossary); in Re "the beasts of the earth," the "beasts"
that came up, the notable "beast" that men worshipped, represent the Greek ...
/c/creature.htm - 36k

Sermon (1 Occurrence)
... These facts give rise to some interesting literary and historical questions: Do
the two accounts represent two distinct discourses dealing with the same ...
/s/sermon.htm - 39k

Type (12 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To represent by a type, model, or symbol beforehand; to prefigure. 11.
(vt) To furnish an expression or copy of; to represent; to typify. 12. ...
/t/type.htm - 23k

Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... is called God or is worshipped," and declare that all that is in any sense Divine
should be esteemed beyond the power of material things worthily to represent. ...
/g/godhead.htm - 22k

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