Reference: Ordain
Morish
In the O.T. there are eleven words so translated, with a variety of meanings and applications. God ordained the moon and the stars. Ps 8:3. Jeroboam ordained priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. 2Ch 11:15. None of God's priests or prophets were ordained, in the sense now understood by that word, as inducting into some spiritual place, with power and authority imparted by man. In Jer 1:5, where God said to the prophet, "I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations," the word translated 'ordained' is nathan, which means simply 'to give,' as in the margin. See also 2Ki 23:5.
In the N.T. there are ten words translated 'ordain.' The passages that might seem to have some reference to the impartation of a sacerdotal supremacy are:
1. Christ ordained his twelve apostles. Mr 3:14. Here the word is ?????, 'to do, make.'
2. Matthias was ordained to take the place of Judas, Ac 1:22: ????????, 'to become.'
3. Paul ordained elders in every city, Ac 14:23: ??????????, 'to appoint by stretching out the hand:' this is translated 'chosen' in 2Co 8:19.
4. Paul said, "I am ordained a preacher and an apostle," 1Ti 2:7: ??????, 'to put, place:' cf. Joh 15:16.
5. Elders ordained, and high priests ordained, Tit 1:5; Heb 5:1; 8:3: ?????????, 'to place, appoint.' The meanings of the Greek words show that, though elders were appointed by the apostles and were called 'bishops,' there was no sacerdotal power conveyed thereby, nor was any authority to continue such appointments handed down.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
He put away the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in Judah's cities and round about Jerusalem -- "also those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations [or twelve signs of the zodiac], and to all the hosts of the heavens.
And he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the [idols of demon] he-goats, and calves he had made.
When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established,
Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
And He appointed twelve to continue to be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach [as apostles or special messengers]
You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give it to you.
From the baptism of John at the outset until the day when He was taken up from among us -- "one of these men must join with us and become a witness to testify to His resurrection.
And when they had appointed and ordained elders for them in each church with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in Whom they had come to believe [being full of joyful trust that He is the Christ, the Messiah].
And more than that, he has been appointed by the churches to travel as our companion in regard to this bountiful contribution which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself and [to show] our eager readiness [as Christians to help one another].
And of this matter I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (special messenger) -- "I am speaking the truth in Christ, I do not falsify [when I say this] -- "a teacher of the Gentiles in [the realm of] faith and truth.
For this reason I left you [behind] in Crete, that you might set right what was defective and finish what was left undone, and that you might appoint elders and set them over the churches (assemblies) in every city as I directed you.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in things relating to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
For every high priest is appointed to offer up gifts and sacrifices; so it is essential for this [High Priest] to have some offering to make also.