τάσσω

I assign, arrange

Definition

The verb τάσσω fundamentally means 'to arrange, appoint, or assign.' In the New Testament, it carries the sense of authoritative ordering, as when a centurion says his soldiers are 'appointed' under his authority (Luke 7:8). It also denotes divine appointment or determination, such as those who were 'appointed' to eternal life (Acts 13:48) or the governing authorities which are 'instituted' by God (Romans 13:1). In a more administrative context, it can mean to arrange or set a time, as when Paul 'appointed' a day to meet (Acts 28:23).

Biblical Usage

Τάσσω is used 8 times across Gospels, Acts, and Epistles, often in contexts of authority and divine sovereignty. In the Gospels and Acts, it frequently describes human or military appointments (Matthew 28:16, Luke 7:8, Acts 15:2, 22:10) and divine ordination (Acts 13:48). In the Epistles, it is used theologically for God's institution of governing authorities (Romans 13:1) and for the household order established by Stephanas (1 Corinthians 16:15).

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *tag- ('to set in order'), τάσσω is related to τάξις (taxis, 'order, arrangement') and ταγός (tagos, 'commander'). It conveys the core idea of arranging things in their proper place, a concept that extended into military and civic terminology for appointing troops or officials.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it underscores God's sovereign ordering of events and authorities. In Acts 13:48, it highlights divine election ('as many as were appointed to eternal life'). In Romans 13:1, it grounds civil authority in God's institution, requiring Christian submission. Understanding τάσσω enriches reading by revealing the deliberate, authoritative arrangement behind events and roles in God's plan.

In the Greco-Roman world, τάσσω was a common term in military and administrative contexts, describing the assignment of soldiers to posts or officials to duties. This cultural backdrop illuminates its New Testament usage, where human authority (like a centurion's) mirrors, yet is subordinate to, divine appointment.

διατάσσω (diatassō, G1299) — to arrange thoroughly, give detailed orders; καθίστημι (kathistēmi, G2525) — to appoint or constitute, often for an office; ὁρίζω (horizō, G3724) — to determine, set boundaries, often for divine decrees.

Word Details

Scripture References