Greek word · G3724

ὁρίζω

horizō

to determine

ὁρίζω: to mark out a boundary, then to fix, appoint, determine or decree. βουλή: deliberation, then the decision it produces: plan, purpose, resolve. It can also mean a council (a deliberative body). Together the phrase means 'a purpose whose bounds had already been fixed'.

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ὁρίζω

(ὅρος, a boundary), [in LXX for אָסַר, גְּבוּל, etc. ;]

1. to separate, mark off by boundaries (so Numbers 34:6, John 13:27).

2. to determine, appoint, designate: of time, with accusative, Acts 17:26, Hebrews 4:7; with accusative of person(s), Acts 17:31; with inf., Acts 11:29; pass., Luke 22:22, Acts 2:23 10:42, Romans 1:4 (cf. ὀφ-, ἀπο- δι-, τρο-ορίζω),†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 2:23

Range of meaning

ὁρίζω: to mark out a boundary, then to fix, appoint, determine or decree. βουλή: deliberation, then the decision it produces: plan, purpose, resolve. It can also mean a council (a deliberative body). Together the phrase means 'a purpose whose bounds had already been fixed'.

Against the English

KJV/YLT 'determinate counsel' and WEB 'determined counsel' are accurate in older English, but today 'counsel' suggests advice. BSB 'set plan' and ESV 'definite plan' give the sense in modern English, and NASB's 'predetermined plan' makes the 'already' explicit.

How it drifted

English 'counsel' has narrowed from 'resolved purpose, decision' (as in 'the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever', Ps 33:11 KJV) to 'advice' or 'legal representative'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke uses both words for God's saving purpose: Luke 22:22 'the Son of Man goes κατὰ τὸ ὡρισμένον' (as it has been determined); Acts 4:28 'whatever your hand and your βουλή predestined to happen'; Acts 13:36; 20:27 'the whole βουλή of God'. In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, LXX), βουλή often translates Hebrew ʿēṣāh, 'plan, purpose', e.g. Isa 46:10 'my βουλή shall stand'.

From the study of Acts 10:42

Range of meaning

Literally, to mark out a boundary (the source of English 'horizon'). From there: to set limits, define, fix, decide, and of persons, to designate or appoint someone to a role. The idea is a clear, settled decision.

Against the English

KJV's 'ordained' now suggests either a clergy ordination ceremony or, to some readers, eternal predestination. The Greek is about God publicly fixing Jesus in an office. 'Appointed' (BSB, WEB) or 'designated' is closer.

How it drifted

In 1611 'ordain' commonly meant 'appoint, establish, decree'. Since then its church sense (ordaining ministers) has taken over in ordinary speech.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Numbers 34:6 (fixing borders). Luke uses it for God's 'set plan' (Acts 2:23), for the 'fixed' times and boundaries of nations (Acts 17:26), and, the closest parallel, in Acts 17:31: God 'has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed (hōrisen), having given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.' Romans 1:4: Jesus 'declared/designated Son of God in power... by the resurrection'.

From the study of Acts 11:29

Range of meaning

To mark out a boundary (compare English 'horizon'). From there: to fix, appoint, designate, decree, decide firmly.

Against the English

KJV/ESV 'determined', BSB/NIV/NLT 'decided'. Both are accurate, though 'decided' is a little weaker than the Greek sense of fixing something definitely.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Acts the verb is used for God's fixed appointments: Jesus 'determined' by God's plan (2:23, horismenē boulē), appointed judge (10:42; 17:31), and the 'appointed' times and boundaries of nations (17:26). Rom 1:4 uses it of Jesus being 'designated' Son of God. Here it describes a human resolution.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 22:22 ὡρισμένον determined

    Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.”

    Here: 'What has been marked out.' The perfect tense means a decision made in the past that still stands, and the passive form points to God as the one who decided. It is Luke's word for God's set plan (compare Acts 2:23).

Acts · 5

  1. Acts 2:23 ὡρισμένῃ determined

    He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.

    Here: Perfect passive participle: a plan whose limits had already been set and still stood settled. It is not a last-minute reaction.

  2. Acts 10:42 ὡρισμένος appointed

    And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.

    Here: From a word meaning 'to mark out a boundary'. God has marked him out and fixed him in this role. The perfect tense describes a decision made in the past that still stands.

  3. Acts 11:29 ὥρισαν determined

    So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

    Here: 'They determined / settled on.' A firm, deliberate decision; the root image is marking out a boundary. Plural verb, yet tied to 'each', so it was a shared decision carried out person by person.

  4. Acts 17:26 ὁρίσας determining

    From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

    Here: 'Having fixed/marked out.' The root is horos, 'boundary-stone', so this is boundary-language: God set the limits. Luke uses the same verb in v31 for the day and the man God has 'appointed' to judge the world.

  5. Acts 17:31 ὥρισεν He appointed

    For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

    Here: 'He marked out' or 'designated.' The same root appears in verse 26, where God 'marked out' the nations' set times and the boundaries of where they live. The God who drew humanity's boundaries has also marked out its judge.

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 1:4 ὁρισθέντος having been declared

    and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

    Here: 'Having been appointed / designated.' The passive implies God is the one doing it. Elsewhere in the NT the word means fixing or appointing someone to a role (Acts 10:42; 17:31), so the picture is installation in an office, not just announcement.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 4:7 ὁρίζει He appoints

    God again designated a certain day as “Today,” when a long time later He spoke through David as was just stated: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

    Here: God 'fixes' or 'sets the boundaries of' a day. The present tense presents the act as alive in Scripture now: God still sets this day through the words of the psalm.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.