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
And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
and he appointed him priests for the high places, and for the he-goats, and for the calves which he had made.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations.
And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.
And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness:
whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;
For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat to offer.