CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Obligate</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/o/obligate.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/numbers/30-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/o/obligate.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Obligate</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/o/oblations.htm" title="Oblations">◄</a> Obligate <a href="/topical/o/obligated.htm" title="Obligated">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In the context of biblical teachings, the term "obligate" refers to the moral or spiritual duty that individuals have to fulfill certain responsibilities or commandments as prescribed by Scripture. This concept is deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obligations are often seen as expressions of faith and obedience.<br><br><b>Old Testament Context</b><br><br>The Old Testament is replete with examples of obligations that God placed upon His people, Israel. These obligations were often codified in the form of laws and commandments. For instance, the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20.htm">Exodus 20:1-17</a>) serve as a foundational set of obligations that the Israelites were required to follow. These commandments encompass duties toward God, such as worshiping Him alone and keeping the Sabbath holy, as well as duties toward others, such as honoring one's parents and refraining from murder and theft.<br><br>In <a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>, the obligation to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength is emphasized: "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment underscores the comprehensive nature of the obligations that God expects from His people, extending beyond mere external compliance to encompass the inner devotion of the heart.<br><br><b>New Testament Context</b><br><br>In the New Testament, the concept of obligation is further developed through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Jesus summarized the law and the prophets with the Great Commandments, which encapsulate the essence of all biblical obligations: "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a>).<br><br>The apostle Paul also speaks of obligations in the context of Christian living. In <a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8</a>, he writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Here, Paul highlights love as the ultimate obligation that fulfills the law, indicating that the moral duties of Christians are rooted in love for God and others.<br><br><b>Spiritual and Moral Obligations</b><br><br>Beyond specific commandments, the Bible speaks to broader spiritual and moral obligations that believers are called to uphold. These include the call to holiness (<a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a>), the obligation to share the Gospel (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>), and the duty to care for the needy (<a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a>). Such obligations are seen as integral to the Christian life, reflecting the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's heart.<br><br><b>Covenantal Obligations</b><br><br>The concept of obligation is also closely tied to the idea of covenant in the Bible. Covenants, such as those made with Noah, Abraham, and David, often include stipulations or obligations that the parties are expected to fulfill. In the New Covenant, established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are called to live in a manner worthy of their calling (<a href="/ephesians/4.htm">Ephesians 4:1</a>), fulfilling their obligations as members of the body of Christ.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>In summary, the concept of obligation in the Bible encompasses a wide range of duties and responsibilities that believers are called to fulfill. These obligations are rooted in the covenantal relationship with God and are expressed through love, obedience, and faithfulness to His commandments.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>v. t.</I>) To place under moral or legal duty; to hold by a constraining motive; as to obligate one to donate.<p>2. (<I>v. t.</I>) To bind or firmly hold to an act; to compel; to constrain; to bind to any act of duty or courtesy by a formal pledge.<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/luther/epistle_sermons_vol_ii/fourth_sunday_after_epiphany.htm"><span class="l">Fourth Sunday after Epiphany</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Similarly, he who would be under obligation to none must <b>obligate</b> himself to<br> all in every respect. So doing, he retains no claim of his own. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm</font><p><a href="/library/melanchthon/the_apology_of_the_augsburg_confession/part_15_article_xii_v_.htm"><span class="l">Article xii (V): of Repentance.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> to commute eternal to temporal punishments, to impose upon consciences certain<br> satisfactions, to institute new acts of worship, and to <b>obligate</b> consciences to <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 15 article xii v .htm</font><p><a href="/library/leupold/exposition_of_genesis_volume_1/chapter_ix.htm"><span class="l">Chapter ix</span></a> <br><b>...</b> quite beside the point when it asks whether v.1-7 are preliminary to this section<br> in the sense of laying down the terms to which man must <b>obligate</b> himself in <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ix.htm</font><p><a href="/library/arminius/the_works_of_james_arminius_vol_3/examination_of_the_treatise.htm"><span class="l">Examination of the Treatise</span></a> <br><b>...</b> by which He determined to do any thing in a particular direction, And though God<br> is not absolutely under obligation to any one, He can yet <b>obligate</b> Himself by <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/examination of the treatise.htm</font><p><a href="/library/arminius/the_works_of_james_arminius_vol_3/allegation_4_we_teach_that.htm"><span class="l">Allegation 4 "We Teach that the Greatest Part of the Human Race <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> What is true, according to the event, must be believed according to the event; and<br> the intention of God can not <b>obligate</b> any one to believe any thing to be <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 4 we teach that.htm</font><p><a href="/library/luther/a_treatise_on_good_works/the_treatise.htm"><span class="l">The Treatise</span></a> <br><b>...</b> If it has not been too much for that high Majesty so solemnly and highly to <b>obligate</b><br> His unworthy worms to pray, to trust, and to receive from Him, how shall <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/the treatise.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/o/obligate.htm"><span class="l"><b>Obligate</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To place under moral or legal duty; to hold by<br> a constraining motive; as to <b>obligate</b> one to donate. <b>...</b><b>Obligate</b> (2 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/obligate.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/obligated.htm"><span class="l">Obligated (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of <b>Obligate</b>. Multi-Version Concordance<br> Obligated (9 Occurrences). Matthew 23:16 "Woe to you <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/obligated.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/oblations.htm"><span class="l">Oblations (24 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/oblations.htm - 15k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Haggadah-Aggadah.html">What is the Haggadah / Aggadah? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-dependability.html">What does the Bible say about dependability? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/ED-Viagra-Cialis.html">Should a Christian take ED medications such as Viagra and Cialis? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/obligate.htm">Obligate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Obligate (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a></span><br />When a man vows a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/nehemiah/10-35.htm">Nehemiah 10:35</a></span><br />and to bring the first fruits of our ground, and the first fruits of all fruit of all manner of trees, year by year, to the house of Yahweh;<br /><span class="source">(See RSV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/obligate.htm">Obligate</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/swears.htm">Swears (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/swear.htm">Swear (99 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nothing.htm">Nothing (769 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/anyone.htm">Anyone (514 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/righteousness.htm">Righteousness (442 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/obligation.htm">Obligation (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/obligate.htm">Obligate (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/obligates.htm">Obligates (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/guides.htm">Guides (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/woe.htm">Woe (102 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wo.htm">Wo (92 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/evangelist.htm">Evangelist (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/expiation.htm">Expiation (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pertaining.htm">Pertaining (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/atone.htm">Atone (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/blind.htm">Blind (91 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/merciful.htm">Merciful (53 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gold.htm">Gold (429 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/redeemer.htm">Redeemer (42 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/redemption.htm">Redemption (46 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/service.htm">Service (317 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gift.htm">Gift (148 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sins.htm">Sins (351 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/altar.htm">Altar (343 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/faithful.htm">Faithful (136 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/priest.htm">Priest (500 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/atonement.htm">Atonement (112 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple (614 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/o/oblations.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Oblations"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Oblations" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/o/obligated.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Obligated"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Obligated" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>