Overview
The Bible addresses ordinance across 33 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, Exodus and Colossians. Closely related themes include Works, Sins, National, Law and Offerings. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Aaron, Moses and Jesus.
Key Bible verses about ordinance
Old Testament
Exodus
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
Numbers
And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.
One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD.
And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
Isaiah
Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. he goats: Heb. great he goats
When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? to appear: Heb. to be seen
Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. iniquity: or, grief
Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. make: Heb. multiply prayer blood: Heb. bloods
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. relieve: or, righten
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
New Testament
Galatians
Colossians
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, rudiments: or, elements
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. neglecting: or, punishing, or, not sparing
Hebrews
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ordinances: or, ceremonies
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. ordinances: or, rites, or, ceremonies
People in the Bible and ordinance
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying ordinance for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 12:14, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Isaiah, Exodus and Colossians each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Aaron, Moses and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Works, Sins, National, Law and Offerings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about ordinance?
The Bible addresses ordinance across 33 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, Exodus and Colossians. Closely related themes include Works, Sins, National, Law and Offerings. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Aaron, Moses and Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about ordinance?
The Bible references ordinance in 33 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention ordinance?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 12:14: “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with ordinance?
Aaron, Moses and Jesus.
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