Bible Dictionary

SENT

Christian Life • Both

To be sent is to be commissioned or dispatched, whether as a messenger, gift, or servant. In the New Testament, the related idea includes an apostle—one sent forth with a mission.

Definition

To be sent is to be dispatched or commissioned for a purpose. In biblical language it may describe the sending of presents, messengers, servants, or others entrusted with an action. The related noun apostle means one sent forth.

Biblical Usage

The Old Testament commonly translates shalach, “to send,” including the sending of gifts and messengers. In the New Testament apostello means to send away or send forth. The term also appears in the expression “one that is sent,” with the margin explaining it as “an apostle.” “Sent” is associated with Siloam, whose name originally means “a sending” or sending forth of waters.

Historical Background

The biblical terms include Hebrew and Aramaic forms as well as the Greek apostello and apostolos. The designation apostle reflects the idea of a person sent forth with a commission.

Historical Bible Dictionaries

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

<p>(shalach; apostello): "Sent" in the Old Testament is the translation of shalach, "to send" (of presents, messengers, etc., Ge 32:18; 44:3; Jud 6:14; 1Ki 14:6; Es 3:13; Pr 17:11; Jer 49:14; Eze 3:5; 23:40; Da 10:11; Ob 1:1); of shelach, Aramaic (Ezr 7:14; Da 5:24); of shilluchim, "sending" (Ex 18:2); in the New Testament of apostello, "to send off" or "away," "to send forth" (Joh 9:7, "the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent)"); compare Lu 13:4; Ne 3:15, the pool of Siloah, the Revised Version (British and American) "Shelah"; Isa 8:6, "the waters of Shiloah that go softly," where Septuagint has Siloam for Hebrew shiloach, "a sending," which, rather than "Sent," is the original meaning--a sending forth of waters. See SILOAM. "Sent" is also the translation of apostolos, "one sent forth" (the original of the familiar word "apostle"); in Joh 13:16, "one that is sent" (margin, "Greek `an apostle'"); compare Heb 1:14.</p><p>W. L. Walker</p>

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