CONSECRATION (IcOn'si:s.-kra'sliiin), the render ing of several words in the original. Among them are Heb. khah'ram , to devote; neh'zer, separation.
It is the act of solemnly setting apart a person or thing to the service of God. By various trans actions (such as the circumcision of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the covenant made with them, in reference to their posterity, in their pass ing through the Red Sea ; in their appearance be fore God at Mount Sinai, and the solemn covenant there ; and in the solemn dedication of them selves at Ebal and Gerizim), the whole Hebrew nation were "consecrated" to be the peculiar peo ple and servants of God (Exod. xiv. xix. xxiv ; Dent. v, xxvi, xxvii, xxix). To commemorate the destruction of the first-born of the Egyptians, the first-born of Israel, man and beast, were "con secrated" to be the Lord's (Exod. xiii). By washing, offering of sacrifice, and sprinkling of oil or blood, were the Levites, in room of the first born, and the priests, and the tabernacle, temple, and sacred furniture, "consecrated" to the cere monial service of God (Exod. xxviii :29; Num.
i :49; iii:to; vii, viii ; 2 Chlron. :4; vii :9 ; Ezra vi :16, 17). The tithes and first-fruits were really, but less solemnly "dedicated" to the service of God. The Jews "dedicated" their houses, and even the walls of their city ; probably this was done with prayer and thanksgiving (Dent. NN :5; Nch. xii :27). Joshua "dedicated" the Gibeonites, and the silver and gold of Jericho ( Josh. vi, ix). Not a few "consecrated" themselves to serveGod in the capacity of Nazarites, or Nethinims (Num. vi). Nlanoah devoted Samson his son: and Han nah, Samuel her son, to the perpetual service of God (Judg. xiii ; I Sam. i 22). Many "dedi cated" their money, fields, and cattle to the Lord ( Lev. xxvii). Moses, Samuel, Saul. David and his successors, and other warriors, "dedicated" part of the spoil they took in battle (NIMI. xxxi ; I Kings xv :15 ; t Chron. xxvi :26-28). When Judas Nlaccabanis purged the temple, he solemnly "dedicated" it to its holy use. and appointed the feast of dedication to he yearly observed ( John x •22).