What does establish mean in the Bible?

What does establish mean in the bible?

In the passages I studied in Numbers and Deuteronomy while preparing this Scripture Plan I saw that God was establishing his nation. In this section of Scripture we see God establishing his covenant, establishing his laws, establishing the boundaries for the Promised Land, and establishing his relationship with his people.

This, of course, got me thinking about the word ‘establish’ and what it meant. So, a quick check of the dictionary was my next move!

What does establish mean?

Here are a few definitions I found at collinsdictionary.com:

• To settle
• To enact a law permanently
• To set up a nation or institute
• To make secure or permanent in a certain place
• To validate
• To become recognised and accepted

These definitions certainly seemed appropriate for this study! But, when I’m doing a word study I always like to look in a Bible Dictionary too, so that I’m sure I know what the Bible is referring to.

What does establish mean in the Bible?

The King James Bible Dictionary has the following definitions:

•  To found or settle permanently
• To enact or decree by authority and for permanence
• To ordain; to appoint; as, to establish laws, regulations, institutions, rules, ordinances
•  To ratify what has been previously set or made
• To settle or fix what is wavering, doubtful or weak; to confirm.
• To set up in the place of another and confirm

These definitions certainly spoke to me of the events in Numbers and Deuteronomy that will be part of this month’s Scripture Plan: God establishes laws for his people; He establishes the Promised Land as the land of the Israelites; and Moses reminds the Israelites of all that has happened to establish them as God’s chosen nation.

What the Bible says about being established by God

Here are some Bible verses that refer to being established by God, to help us answer the question ‘What does it mean to be established in the Bible?’ We can also see what it means for us being established as God’s children.

God established creation

You establish the mountains by your power; you are robed with strength. Psalm 65:6 CSB

The day is yours, also the night; you established the moon and the sun. Psalm 74:16 CSB

In the beginning, Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands.” Hebrews 1:10 CSB

God established a covenant with the Patriarchs

I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land they lived in as aliens. Exodus 6:4 CSB

God established a covenant with Moses

These are the statutes, ordinances, and laws the Lord established between himself and the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai. Leviticus 26:46 CSB 

The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he swore to you, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways. Deuteronomy 28:9 

You gave them kingdoms and peoples and established boundaries for them. They took possession of the land of King Sihon of Heshbon and of the land of King Og of Bashan. Nehemiah 9:22 CSB

God established a covenant with David

“Your house and kingdom will endure before me forever, and your throne will be established forever.’” 2 Samuel 7:16 CSB

David’s throne will remain established before the Lord forever.” 1 Kings 2:45 CSB

“I will appoint him over my house and my kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.” 1 Chronicles 17:14 CSB

The Lord established his throne

But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for judgment. Psalms 9:7 CSB

Your throne has been established from the beginning; you are from eternity. Psalm 93:2 CSB

God establishes our ways

Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Proverbs 4:26 CSB

Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 CSB

God establishes peace, love, faith and justice

Lord, you will establish peace for us, for you have also done all our work for us. Isaiah 26:12 CSB

He will not grow weak or be discouraged until he has established justice on earth. The coasts and islands will wait for his instruction.” Isaiah 42:4 CSB

“I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love.” Ephesians 3:17-18 CSB

So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude. Colossians 2:6-7 CSB

How does the Scripture Plan work?

This Scripture Plan takes us through the end of Numbers and Deuteronomy in 30 days. It follows on from my Scripture Plans Chosen: 30 Days with the Patriarchs and Redeemed: 30 Days with the Israelite Slaves but can be done as a separate study. I have chosen to make all my monthly plans for 30 days even though not all months are this length, so you can choose to do them at any time.

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Check out these products from Amazon to help you with your Bible Study. I recently purchased the CSB Study Bible for Women. I love the translation and the additional study features. The other three books I’ve chosen to feature here are designed to help you understand the Bible as a whole. I particularly like The Women’s Devotional Guide to the Bible, which gives readings on a topic for each week of the year.

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