CategoryDoctrine / Salvation and Divine Purpose Term
Modern Equivalentforeordained; appointed beforehand by God.
KJV Word TypeTheological noun / verb
DefinitionGod’s act of appointing beforehand according to His purpose, especially in relation to believers being conformed to Christ and received as children through Him.
Key Verses"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son." (Romans 8:29); "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." (Ephesians 1:5)
KJV Usage NoteRefers to God’s appointing beforehand according to His purpose, especially in salvation passages such as Romans 8 and Ephesians 1.
Common MisunderstandingIt does not mean impersonal fate; in KJV doctrine it is tied to God’s purpose, grace, and conformity to Christ.
EtymologyFrom Latin praedestinare ("to appoint beforehand").