In the context of the Bible, "specifying" refers to the act of clearly defining or detailing particular instructions, commands, or descriptions. This concept is evident throughout Scripture, where God, prophets, and apostles provide specific guidance to ensure clarity and obedience among His people.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Construction of the Tabernacle: One of the most detailed examples of specifying in the Old Testament is found in the instructions for building the Tabernacle. God provided Moses with precise measurements and materials for every aspect of the Tabernacle. Exodus 25:9 states, "You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings." This level of detail underscores the importance of following God's exact specifications to maintain holiness and order in worship.

2. The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, is another instance where God specifies His moral law. Each commandment is a clear and direct statement of God's expectations for His people, as seen in Exodus 20:1-17. These commandments serve as a foundational ethical guide, specifying behaviors that honor God and promote societal harmony.

3. Sacrificial Laws: Leviticus contains numerous specifications regarding sacrifices, detailing the types of offerings, the animals to be used, and the manner in which they should be presented. Leviticus 1:3 specifies, "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer an unblemished male. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted by the LORD."

New Testament Examples

1. The Great Commission: In the New Testament, Jesus provides specific instructions to His disciples in the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19-20 records Jesus saying, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This command specifies the scope and method of the disciples' mission.

2. Church Order and Conduct: The Apostle Paul often specifies guidelines for church order and conduct in his epistles. For instance, in 1 Timothy 3:2-7, Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, specifying traits such as being "above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."

3. The Lord’s Supper: Paul also provides specific instructions regarding the observance of the Lord’s Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, he recounts the words of Jesus and specifies the manner in which believers are to partake in this sacrament, emphasizing the importance of doing so in remembrance of Christ.

Theological Significance

The act of specifying in Scripture highlights the importance of precision and obedience in the relationship between God and His people. It reflects God's desire for order, holiness, and clarity in worship and daily living. By providing specific instructions, God ensures that His will is understood and followed, fostering a covenant relationship based on trust and faithfulness.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Specify.

From the Metre Poems of St. Gregory Theologus, Specifying which ...
... VII. From the Metre Poems of St. Gregory Theologus, Specifying which Books of the
Old and New Testament Should Be Read. From the Metre Poems of St. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/vii from the metre poems.htm

The Bible Canon from the Fourth Century to the Reformation.
... He enumerates all the New Testament books, specifying the Pauline epistles as fourteen,
and so reckoning that to the Hebrews as the apostle's; but he speaks of ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter vii the bible canon.htm

The General Observations are These.
... This specifying of time, place and names or characters of persons, is an argument
of a real story and not a fiction: for, if it had been a fiction, it might ...
/.../section i the general observations.htm

The Present Life as Related to the Future.
... of Scripture we find the Redeemer calmly describing and minutely picturing the
condition of two persons in the future world, distinctly specifying the points ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the present life as related.htm

The Maccabees.
... that the Jews began to read Lessons from the Prophets in the synagogue, because
Antiochus had only forbidden reading the Law, without specifying the prophetic ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

On Drinking.
... sake;" [1356] most properly applying its aid as a strengthening tonic suitable to
a sickly body enfeebled with watery humours; and specifying "a little," lest ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii on drinking.htm

The Shield of Faith
... I suppose that the Apostle's reason for specifying these fiery darts was simply
that they were the most formidable offensive weapons that he had ever heard of. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the shield of faith.htm

Rome Protects Paul
... note the delicate, conciliatory skill with which he brings out that his conversion
had not made him less a devout worshipper in the Temple, by specifying it as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/rome protects paul.htm

Paul on his Own Conversion
... a moment. A little bit of personal reminiscence comes up in his specifying
the time as 'about noon,' the brightest hour. He remembers ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul on his own conversion.htm

A Nickname Accepted
... small matter to make me"me, a king!"a Christian, one of those despised people!'
And it occurs once more, where the Apostle Peter is specifying the charges ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a nickname accepted.htm

Specifying (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Specify. Multi-Version
Concordance Specifying (1 Occurrence). Acts 25:27 For it seems ...
/s/specifying.htm - 6k

By (30426 Occurrences)
... by a church. 4. (pref.) Used in specifying adjacent dimensions; as, a cabin
twenty feet by forty. 5. (pref.) Against. 6. (pref.) With ...
/b/by.htm - 8k

Specify (2 Occurrences)

/s/specify.htm - 7k

Specific (2 Occurrences)
... and vice. 2. (a.) Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise;
discriminating; as, a specific statement. 3. (a.) Exerting ...
/s/specific.htm - 7k

Specimen (1 Occurrence)

/s/specimen.htm - 7k

Horseleach (1 Occurrence)
... In the passage cited the Arabic Bible has `aluqah, "ghoul." If leech is meant, there
can be no good reason for specifying "horseleach." At least six species of ...
/h/horseleach.htm - 7k

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... of three discourses, followed by three short appendices: (1) Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43,
historical; a review of God's dealings with Israel, specifying in great ...
/d/deuteronomy.htm - 44k

Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... to Hebron and Eshcol, without at all stating an incongruity (Gray) or implying
(Driver) that they traveled no farther North-the reason for specifying the visit ...
/n/numbers.htm - 71k

Covenant (309 Occurrences)
... document into hard-and-fast divisions, the following analysis may be suggestive
and serviceable: (1) directions concerning worship, specifying prohibition of ...
/c/covenant.htm - 101k

Book (211 Occurrences)
... document into hard-and-fast divisions, the following analysis may be suggestive
and serviceable: (1) directions concerning worship, specifying prohibition of ...
/b/book.htm - 101k

Who is the angel of the Lord? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Talmud? | GotQuestions.org

Will heaven be on earth? | GotQuestions.org

Specifying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus