τάσσω (tassō)
tassō
to appoint
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb tasso means to put something in order or assign it a specific place. It carries a strong sense of organization, often used in military contexts to describe arranging troops into formation. In Scripture, this idea extends to appointing people to roles or tasks, as when the Jerusalem council appointed leaders to handle disputes (Acts 15:2).
Its usage highlights authority and structure. Jesus illustrates this when he speaks of his own authority over soldiers who are "appointed" under him (Matthew 8:9). Similarly, Paul refers to believers being "appointed" for eternal life (Acts 13:48), suggesting a divine ordering of events rather than random chance.
Translators often render it as "appoint" or "order," capturing the deliberate nature of the action. The word implies that things are not left to chaos but are set in place by someone with authority, whether human or divine.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tassō brings a sense of calm order to our understanding of God’s work. It describes placing things in their proper arrangement, much like a commander organizing troops or a leader assigning specific roles. This is not random chance; it is deliberate design. When Scripture speaks of being appointed, it points to a purposeful structure established by authority.
In Acts 13:48, we see believers described as those "appointed to eternal life." This suggests that your faith is part of a grand, organized plan rather than a series of accidents. God sets boundaries and assigns tasks with intention. Whether in the military hierarchy Jesus mentions in Matthew 8:9 or the church leadership chosen in Acts 15:2, there is a clear chain of command and purpose.
Knowing that your life is ordered by a sovereign Lord can be deeply comforting. You are not drifting aimlessly. Your path has been set with care. This divine arrangement invites us to trust the One who holds the authority, resting in the peace that comes from knowing our place in His design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- appointed2×
- they have devoted1×
- they appointed1×
- it has been appointed1×
- instituted1×
- assigned1×
- appointed,1×
- Having appointed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔταξαν2×
- ἐτάξατο1×
- τέτακταί1×
- τεταγμένοι1×
- τεταγμέναι1×
- τασσόμενος,1×
- τασσόμενος1×
- Ταξάμενοι1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 13:48
As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
This verse uniquely links the act of being appointed directly to the outcome of believing and receiving eternal life, highlighting divine initiative.
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Matthew 8:9
For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Jesus uses this military context to illustrate His own submission to the Father’s authority, showing that true power operates through ordered obedience.
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Acts 15:2
Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others of them to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
Here the word describes a practical human decision to send representatives, demonstrating how divine order is often worked out through church leadership and community agreement.