Consecration
An act by which a person or a thing is separated from a secular or profane use to the service and worship of God by prayer, rites, and ceremonies. Common in the OT and existing analogously in paganism, in Christian usage the term usually refers to the setting apart of the euchristic elements, the ordination of bishops, the dedication of churches, and the consecration of various sacred objects such as eucharistic vessels and altars. There are wide divergencies in the rites themselves, in their scope and in the significance attached to them by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
kon’-se-krat, kon-se-kra’-shun.
1. In the Old Testament:
In the Old Testament for several Hebrew words of different meanings:
(1) charam: "I will consecrate (the Revised Version (British and American) "devote") their gain unto the Lord," i.e. the spoil of the nations shall be dedicated to the service of Yahweh (Mic 4:13).
(2) nazar, nezer (Nu 6:7,9,12; the Revised Version (British and American) "separate").
See Nazirite.
(3) qadhesh: "to be set apart," or "to be holy": of Aaron and his sons (Ex 28:3; 30:30; the Revised Version (British and American) "sanctify"). The silver and gold and brass and iron of the banned city of Jericho are "consecrated" things (the Revised Version (British and American) "holy") unto the Lord (Jos 6:19); of the priests (2Ch 26:18); of sacrifices (2Ch 29:33; 31:6; Ezr 3:5).
See Holiness.
2. In the New Testament:
In the New Testament teleioo, "to make perfect" (Heb 7:28; the Revised Version (British and American) "perfected"); egkainizo, "to make new" (Heb 10:20; the Revised Version (British and American) "dedicated").
T. Rees