Definition and Etymology:
The term "superintend" refers to the act of overseeing, directing, or managing a particular task, group, or organization. It is derived from the Latin "superintendere," which means "to oversee" or "to watch over." In a biblical context, superintendence involves the responsibility of leadership and guidance, often in spiritual or communal settings.

Biblical Context:
In the Bible, the concept of superintendence is closely associated with leadership roles, particularly those involving spiritual oversight. This includes roles such as elders, overseers, and shepherds, who are tasked with guiding and caring for the community of believers.

Old Testament References:
While the specific term "superintend" is not used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in the roles of leaders such as Moses, Joshua, and the judges of Israel. These individuals were responsible for guiding the people according to God's commandments and ensuring the community's adherence to the covenant.

· Moses: As a leader, Moses was tasked with overseeing the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt and their journey through the wilderness. His role involved not only guiding them physically but also spiritually, as he communicated God's laws and instructions to the people (Exodus 18:13-26).

· Judges: The judges of Israel, such as Deborah and Gideon, served as leaders who superintended the people during times of crisis, providing guidance and delivering them from oppression (Judges 2:16-19).

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, the concept of superintendence is more explicitly defined in the roles of church leaders, particularly elders and overseers.

· Elders and Overseers: The Apostle Paul provides instructions for the qualifications and duties of overseers in the early church. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 , Paul outlines the character and responsibilities required of those who aspire to the role of overseer, emphasizing qualities such as being above reproach, self-controlled, and able to teach.

· Shepherding the Flock: The Apostle Peter also addresses the role of church leaders in 1 Peter 5:1-3 , urging elders to "shepherd the flock of God that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God's will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness."

Theological Significance:
Superintendence in the biblical sense is not merely about administrative oversight but involves a deep spiritual responsibility. Leaders are called to guide the community in faithfulness to God's word, ensuring that the teachings of Christ are upheld and that the spiritual well-being of the congregation is maintained.

Practical Application:
In contemporary Christian communities, the principle of superintendence continues to be vital. Church leaders, including pastors, elders, and deacons, are entrusted with the responsibility of guiding their congregations in spiritual growth and doctrinal purity. This involves teaching, counseling, and providing a godly example for others to follow.

Conclusion:
The biblical concept of superintendence underscores the importance of godly leadership and the responsibility of those in authority to care for and guide the community of believers. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of the New Testament, the role of superintendence is seen as a sacred trust, requiring wisdom, integrity, and a heart aligned with God's purposes.(v. t.) To exercise the charge and oversight of; to oversee with the power of direction; to take care of with authority; to supervise; as, an officer superintends the building of a ship or the construction of a fort.5461. sagan -- a prefect, ruler
... prince, ruler. From an unused root meaning to superintend; a prefect of a province --
prince, ruler. 5460, 5461. sagan. 5462 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5461.htm - 6k

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... from Jerusalem, and it was carried on with the sanction of the apostles, who sent
Barnabas, one of their trusted coadjutors, from Jerusalem to superintend it. ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

The Separation of the Provinces, 1857-1899.
... to settle the time and place of its own meetings, to supervise the administration
of finances, to establish new congregations, to superintend all official ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the separation of.htm

The Intrepid Pioneer.
... James Wray had been sent out from England with a general charge to superintend the
work, as William Black and the other missionaries had not been ordained, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/iv the intrepid pioneer.htm

Hugh the Builder
... every baron's father, had built himself a castle, planned and executed under his
own eye; when King Richard in person could plan and superintend the building ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter viii hugh the builder.htm

A Child Again
... From reading the second chapter of Acts, John found that soon after Christ ascended
to heaven God sent His Holy Spirit to the earth to superintend the work of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter x a child again.htm

Kingo's Later Years
... that the financial affairs of the church and its institutions were honestly conducted;
attend to the collection of church taxes; and superintend all schools ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter seven kingos later years.htm

Later Greek Versions.
... Hadrian employed his relative to superintend the building of Aelia Capitolina on
the site of Jerusalem, and while there Aquila was converted to Christianity by ...
/.../chapter ii later greek versions.htm

Short Account of the Life and Writings of Robert Barclay ...
... proposed, it is stated in the minute then made, that the proposal was unanimously
approved by the Meeting, and a Committee appointed to superintend the printing ...
/.../short account of the life.htm

Home as a Stewardship.
... was to dispense portions of food to the different members of the household, to give
servants their portion in due season, and to superintend the general ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter vi home as a.htm

Women's Bible Training School
... Thirdly, a picked few who, having received more regular teaching, were able to continue
their own studies and help to superintend the work of the juniors ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xvi womens bible training.htm

Superintend (4 Occurrences)
... of a fort. Multi-Version Concordance Superintend (4 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles
2:2 And Solomon numbered seventy thousand men to bear ...
/s/superintend.htm - 8k

Superfluous (4 Occurrences)

/s/superfluous.htm - 9k

Quartermaster (1 Occurrence)
... is to provide quarters, provisions, storage, clothing, fuel, stationery, and
transportation for a regiment or other body of troops, and superintend the supplies ...
/q/quartermaster.htm - 7k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... S. Angus. NICANOR (2). (Nikanor): One of "the seven" chosen to superintend "the
daily ministration" of the poor of the Christian community at Jerusalem (Acts 6: ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Oversee (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To superintend; to watch over; to direct; to look
or see after; to overlook. 2. (vt) To omit or neglect seeing. ...
/o/oversee.htm - 9k

Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)
... was just at or near the time when Nebuchadnezzar's servants were besieging Jerusalem;
and when the Chaldean king's arrival in person to superintend the siege ...
/j/jehoiachin.htm - 19k

Guide (89 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To regulate and manage; to direct; to order; to superintend the training
or education of; to instruct and influence intellectually or morally; to train ...
/g/guide.htm - 37k

Intend (30 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To bend or turn; to direct, as one's course or journey. 6. (vt) To fix the
mind on; to attend to; to take care of; to superintend; to regard. ...
/i/intend.htm - 18k

Inspect (22 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To view and examine officially, as troops, arms, goods offered, work done
for the public, etc.; to oversee; to superintend. 3. (vt) Inspection. ...
/i/inspect.htm - 13k

Forward (252 Occurrences)
... James Version, "They shall go forward," etc.); it is also the translation of natsach
(Piel), "to be over," "to take the lead," "to superintend" (1 Chronicles 23 ...
/f/forward.htm - 42k

Are children always a blessing from God? | GotQuestions.org

Superintend: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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