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 around Jerusalem; them also that burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, 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 embryo I knew thee; and before thou wast born I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet to the nations.
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
And when they had ordained for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
And not that only, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
For which I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man should have somewhat also to offer.