Topical Encyclopedia
The term "allot" in the biblical context generally refers to the distribution or assignment of portions, roles, or responsibilities, often by divine or authoritative decision. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, where God or His appointed leaders distribute land, tasks, or blessings among His people.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the concept of allotment is prominently featured in the distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. After the Israelites entered Canaan, the land was divided by lot under the leadership of Joshua. This process is detailed in the Book of Joshua, where the land is apportioned to each tribe as an inheritance.
Joshua 14:2 states, "Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses."
The use of lots was seen as a means of discerning God's will, ensuring that the distribution was fair and divinely guided.
Numbers 26:55 emphasizes this: "But the land is to be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of their ancestral tribes."
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of allotment is less about physical land and more about spiritual gifts and roles within the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks of the distribution of spiritual gifts in
1 Corinthians 12:11 : "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines." Here, the Holy Spirit is seen as the one who allots gifts to believers, ensuring that each member of the church has a role to play in the edification of the body.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of allotment underscores the sovereignty of God in the distribution of both material and spiritual blessings. It reflects the belief that God has a specific plan and purpose for each individual and community, and that His decisions are just and purposeful. The allotment of land to the Israelites is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, while the distribution of spiritual gifts highlights the diversity and unity within the church.
Practical ApplicationsFor believers, understanding the concept of allotment encourages trust in God's provision and plan. It calls for contentment with one's own gifts and circumstances, recognizing that each allotment is part of a larger divine purpose. It also fosters a sense of responsibility to use one's allotted gifts and resources for the glory of God and the benefit of others.
In summary, the biblical concept of allotment is a multifaceted theme that illustrates God's sovereign distribution of land, roles, and gifts, emphasizing His wisdom, justice, and purpose in the lives of His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
v. t.) To parcel out in individual portions; or to distribute to each individual concerned; to assign as a share or lot; to set apart as one's share; to bestow on; to grant; to appoint; as, let every man be contented with that which Providence allots him.
Greek
4345. proskleroo -- to allot to ... to
allot to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proskleroo Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-klay-ro'-o) Short Definition: I assign by lot,
allot Definition: I assign
... 3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household
... Cognate: 3623 (from 3624 , "house, household" and , "to allot, apportion") --
properly, a (literally, "household-manager"). See 3622 (). ...
2820. kleroo -- to assign by lot
... assign or obtain an inheritance. From kleros; to allot, ie (figuratively) to assign
(a privilege) -- obtain an inheritance. see GREEK kleros. ...
2818. kleronomos -- an heir
... inheritor. 2818 (a masculine noun derived from 2819 , "lot" and , "to
distribute, allot") -- an ; someone who inherits. [In ancient ...
4367. prostasso -- to place at, give a command
... 4367 (from 4314 , "move towards, ," which intensifies 5021 , "to place, arrange") --
properly, allot, emphasizing the of the one assigning (commanding). ...
3354. metreo -- to measure, measure out
... From metron; to measure (ie Ascertain in size by a fixed standard); by implication,
to admeasure (ie Allot by rule) -- figuratively, to estimate -- measure ...
Strong's Hebrew
3183. Yachtseel -- "God apportions," a son of Naphtali... Jahzeel. From chatsah and 'el; God will
allot; Jachtseel, an Israelite -- Jahzeel.
Compare Yachtsiy'el. see HEBREW chatsah. see HEBREW 'el. see HEBREW Yachtsiy'
... 5307. naphal -- to fall, lie
... root Definition to fall, lie NASB Word Usage abandon (1), allot (1), allotted (2),
anyone falls (1), apportioned (2), attacked (2), born (1), bring down (1 ...
4487. manah -- to count, number, reckon
... A primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute
officially; also to enumerate or enroll -- appoint, count, number, prepare, set ...
2505a. chalaq -- to divide, share
... root Definition to divide, share NASB Word Usage allot him a portion (1), allotted
(3), apportion (2), apportions (1), assigned (1), disperse (1), distribute (1 ...
Library
The Disputes of the Faithful to be Settled by the Decisions of the ...
... For the law did not allot the same punishment to every offence, but had a different
regard to a sin against God, against the priest, against the temple, or ...
Archelaus's Ethnarchy is Reduced into a [Roman] Province. The ...
... heat, but that this place is such as is refreshed by the gentle breathing of a west
wind, that is perpetually blowing from the ocean; while they allot to bad ...
I Suspect I have Been Allotting Habitually Too Little Time to ...
... I had better allot more time, say two hours or an hour and a half, to religious
exercises daily, and try whether by so doing I cannot preserve a frame of ...
Soul Winning
... Great soul-winners never have been fools. A man whom God qualifies to win souls
could probably do anything else which providence might allot him. ...
The Saviour's Many Crowns
... The ancients were accustomed to divide heaven, and earth, and hell, into divers
monarchies, and allot each of them to distinct kings; and surely heaven were an ...
A Gentle Heroine, a Gentile Convert
... So closely are they interwoven that it is difficult to allot to each its share in
the united stream; but, without trying to determine to which of them the ...
Unwon but Claimed
... God's commandment to Joshua to allot the land, even while the formidable foes
enumerated in the context held it firmly, was based on the assurance (verse 6 ...
Flee Away, My Beloved, and be Thou Like to a Roe or to a Young ...
... respect to herself and others, that she can desire no other fate for herself, nor
for any other, than that which the Divine Righteousness would allot, both for ...
Of the Purifications.
... from; which matters, when this work shall give me occasion, shall be further explained;
and the causes shall be added by which he was moved to allot some of ...
Not Servants, but Friends.
... He did not allot clearly defined tasks to His followers; He did not treat them as
slaves, appointing one to this and another to that: He showed them His own ...
Thesaurus
Allot (8 Occurrences)... allots him. Multi-Version Concordance
Allot (8 Occurrences). Matthew
20:23 "You shall drink out of my cup," He said, "but a seat
...Allotting (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Allot. Multi-Version
Concordance Allotting (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 9:22 Moreover ...
Allotment (24 Occurrences)
Zidonians (11 Occurrences)
... of the hill-country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians; them
will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only allot thou it ...
Lot (145 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A prize in a lottery. 8. (vt) To allot; to sort; to portion. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LOT (1). lot: I. Personality. ...
Weigh (24 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To be equivalent to in weight; to counterbalance; to have the heaviness
of. 5. (vt) To pay, allot, take, or give by weight. ...
Inheritance (263 Occurrences)
... etc.); kleronomia, "heirship," "patrimony, "possession"; or kleros, "an acquisition"
"portion," "heritage," from kleroo, "to assign," "to allot," "to obtain an ...
Distribute (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To divide among several or many; to
deal out; to apportion; to allot. 2. (vt) To dispense; to ...
Manna (19 Occurrences)
... name is commonly taken as derived from man, an expression of surprise, "What is
it?" but more probably it is derived from manan, meaning "to allot," and hence ...
Measure (269 Occurrences)
... 21. (n.) To adjust by a rule or standard. 22. (n.) To allot or distribute by measure;
to set off or apart by measure; -- often with out or off. 23. ...
Resources
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