Consecrate

CON'SECRATE, CONSECRA'TION. Ex 32:29; Lev 7:37. The word means "to set apart for holy uses." It is applied in the Bible to both persons and things. The tribe of Levi was consecrated to the priesthood with the most solemn and imposing ceremonies. Vessels, Josh 6:19, profits, Mic 4:13, fields, Lev 27:28, cattle, 2 Chr 29:33, individuals. Num 6:9-13; 1 Sam 1:11, Acts 20:28, and nations, Ex 19:6, were anciently consecrated or set apart to sacred purposes. See Priest. CONVEN'IENT signifies "becoming," "fitting," "appropriate," in several passages; e.g. Prov 30:8; Jer 40:4; Rom 1:28; Eph 5:4; Phile 8. This is the old Latin sense of the word. CONVERSA'TION is never used in the A.V. in its ordinary sense, but always denotes "course of life," "conduct." Phil 3:20 reads "our conversation is in heaven," but the Greek is properly translated by "citizenship." What is now called "conversation " is expressed in the A.V. by "communication." 2 Kgs 9:11; Matt 5:37; Eph 4:29 etc.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To make, or declare to be, sacred; to appropriate to sacred uses; to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the service or worship of God; as, to consecrate a church; to give (one's self) unreservedly, as to the service of God. One day in the week is . . . consecrated to a holy rest. Sharp.

2. To set apart to a sacred office; as, to consecrate a bishop. Thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. Ex. xxix. 9.

3. To canonize; to exalt to the rank of a saint; to enroll among the gods, as a Roman emperor.

4. To render venerable or revered; to hallow; to dignify; as, rules or principles consecrated by time. Burke.

Synonyms: See Addict.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Consecrated; devoted; dedicated; sacred. They were assembled in that consecrate place. Bacon.