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 hath caused to cease the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah have appointed, (and they make perfume in high places, in cities of Judah and suburbs of Jerusalem,) and those making perfume to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of the heavens.
and he establisheth to him priests for high places, and for goats, and for calves, that he made --
For I see Thy heavens, a work of Thy fingers, Moon and stars that Thou didst establish.
'Before I form thee in the belly, I have known thee; and before thou comest forth from the womb I have separated thee, a prophet to nations I have made thee.'
and he appointed twelve, that they may be with him, and that he may send them forth to preach,
'Ye did not choose out me, but I chose out you, and did appoint you, that ye might go away, and might bear fruit, and your fruit might remain, that whatever ye may ask of the Father in my name, He may give you.
beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day in which he was received up from us, one of these to become with us a witness of his rising again.'
and having appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly, having prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
and not only so, but who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveller, with this favour that is ministered by us, unto the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;
in regard to which I was set a preacher and apostle -- truth I say in Christ, I do not lie -- a teacher of nations, in faith and truth.
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that the things lacking thou mayest arrange, and mayest set down in every city elders, as I did appoint to thee;
For every chief priest -- out of men taken -- in behalf of men is set in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins,
for every chief priest to offer both gifts and sacrifices is appointed, whence it is necessary for this one to have also something that he may offer;