The New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major part of the Christian biblical canon, the first part being the Old Testament, based on the Hebrew Bible. The Greek New Testament discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christianity. Christians regard both the Ol…
Full Answer
What is the biblical meaning of the word testament?
When the word testament is used in the Bible, it most often speaks of a covenant, as in the covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai when He established them as His people and gave them His laws ( Exodus 19:3–6; 20:1–17; 24 ). It is in this context that the terms Old Testament and New Testament are explained.
What does Covenant mean biblically?
There are two main kinds of covenants in the Bible:
- Covenants between man and man. These are the covenants weve looked at thus far. ...
- Covenants between God and man. ...
- God is His own witness. ...
- Some of Gods covenants are completely unconditional: theyre not sustained by human performance. ...
What is the biblical definition of Covenant?
When the Bible mentions a covenant, it’s referring to a strong, solemn agreement between two parties. However, biblical covenants are very different from the kinds of agreements we make nowadays: Covenants make two into one. When two parties make a covenant in the Bible, they are joined together and identified with each other.
What does the Bible say about covenantal relationship with God?
Bible Verses about Covenant Relationship. Isaiah 59:1-2. Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
What does the biblical word testament mean?
Definition of testament 1a : a tangible proof or tribute. b : an expression of conviction : creed. 2a : an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death. b : will. 3a capitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible.
What is covenant and testament?
The Hebrew term for covenant is berit, meaning “to bond or fetter.” It is translated into Greek as syntheke, “binding together” or diatheke, “will, testament.” In the Bible, then, a covenant is a relationship based upon mutual commitments. It typically involves promises, obligations, and rituals.
Where did the word testament come from?
From Middle English testament, from Old French testament, from Latin testāmentum (“the publication of a will, a will, testament, in Late Latin one of the divisions of the Bible”), from testor (“I am a witness, testify, attest, make a will”), from testis (“one who attests, a witness”).
Is the word covenant in the New Testament?
The King James Version sometimes uses testament for covenant, with the words new covenant together only occurring in Hebrews 8:8, 8:13 and 12:24 while in the New International Version "new covenant" occurs at Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 8:8, Hebrews 9:15 and Hebrews 12:24 as a ...
What is the Old Testament word for covenant?
The Hebrew term בְּרִית bĕriyth for "covenant" is from a root with the sense of "cutting", because pacts or covenants were made by passing between cut pieces of flesh of an animal sacrifice. There are two major types of covenants in the Hebrew Bible, including the obligatory type and the promissory type.
What is Abraham's covenant?
The covenant is a promise that God made with Abraham. According to the covenant, God would offer protection and land to Abraham and his descendants, but they must follow the path of God. God then commanded Abraham and his future generations to perform the ritual of circumcision (brit milah) as a symbol of the covenant.
What is the New Testament called?
"The New Testament" (nt) is the usual name for a collection of 27 ancient Greek books concerning Jesus of Nazareth and his earliest followers. It forms the second part of Christian Bibles following "the Old Testament," which in Protestant Bibles contains the same books as Jewish Bibles but in a different order.
What is the meaning of covenant '?
Definition of covenant (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact … international law, which depends upon the sanctity of covenants between rulers.—
Why is there a New Testament and Old Testament?
Together the Old Testament and the New Testament make up the Holy Bible. The Old Testament contains the sacred scriptures of the Jewish faith, while Christianity draws on both Old and New Testaments, interpreting the New Testament as the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Old.
What are the 5 covenants in the Bible?
However, there are five foundational covenants that God makes with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, before establishing the new covenant through Jesus.
What is the new covenant in Jeremiah 31?
The new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31 is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. With his blood through his death on the cross, Jesus establishes the new covenant4 where God's law is written upon people's hearts, and God shall be their God and they shall be God's people. All this is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Does the 10 Commandments still apply?
The Ten Commandments, as written by the finger of God on two tablets of stone and given to Moses at the top of Mount Sinai, are no longer in effect. Christians are not obligated to live by them.
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MEANING TO WORDS
The problem behind people’s misinterpretation and misunderstanding of these two terms is NOT a problem with the original Hebrew or Greek, but what English words are chosen to translate the words in their original languages, whether it be Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek.
WORDS OFTEN HAVE MULTIPLE MEANINGS
For example, the word “gay,” when I was growing up meant “someone who was happy and prosperous.” We have this meaning in mind when referring to the “Gay 20’s” in American history, but then the word has taken on another meaning, as referring to someone as a homosexual, and now with the younger kids, it has taken on yet another added meaning of referring to something as “dumb.” The same word, but three very different meanings, depending on its how it’s used..
MOVING FROM ONE LANGUAGE TO ANOTHER
How words move from one language to another is an interesting study for me. For example, let’s look at the words TESTAMENT and COVENANT . In the Hebrew Old Testament, the word B’RIT (Strong’s #1285) is translated into English as COVENANT, but the word TESTAMENT is not an intrinsic part of this word’s meaning.
THE PROBLEM IS IN THE ENGLISH
Although the word TESTAMENT is directly derived from the Latin, the English meaning of this term does NOT include the concept of a COVENANT . And this is a major problem. Because the English meaning of the word TESTAMENT, as it’s commonly understood by most people, can only be seen in only TWO VERSES of the entire Bible.
THE MEANING OF TESTAMENT
Let me explain, in English, the dominant meaning of the word “ TESTAMENT ” refers to a persons will, like in one’s “ WILL AND TESTAMENT ,” and we understand in our English- speaking societies that an OLDER TESTAMENT (or WILL) can be REPLACED when a person writes a new and updated WILL or TESTAMENT .
COVENANT VS. TESTAMENT
In contradiction to the idea of a personal will, the Hebrew word B’RIT and the Greek word DIATHEKE means “ COVENANT ” in all of the Bible, except for those two verses in Hebrews 9, and again a COVENANT is completely different than a TESTAMENT .
THE PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF COVENANT
If you look up the word “ COVENANT ” online, you will find multiple articles written about the ancient process of how COVENANTS were made. This is how they erroneously understand “ COVENANT .” This is like someone understanding the meaning and essence of marriage by examining the marriage ceremony.
What does the Bible say about covenants?
In the Bible, then, a covenant is a relationship based upon mutual commitments. It typically involves promises, obligations, and rituals.
What is Covenant Theology?
Developed by the Puritans, Covenant Theology is an attempt to reconcile two apparently exclusive doctrines: the doctrine that only the elect can or will be saved and the doctrine that God is perfectly just.
What is the dominant conception of the covenant?
The dominant conception of covenant tended to rely mostly on the Abrahamic and Davidic models, where humans didn’t have to do anything in order to “deserve” or retain God’s grace. They didn’t have anything to uphold, they just had to accept what God was offering. Old Testament vs. New Testament.
What are some examples of covenants in the Bible?
The idea of covenant or testament is usually seen as a relation between God and humanity, but in the Bible, there are examples of purely secular covenants: between leaders like Abraham and Abimelech (Gen 21:22-32) or between and king and his people like David and Israel (2 Sam 5:3).
Why is the Mosaic Covenant conditioned?
The Mosaic covenant with the Hebrews at Sinai, as described in Deuteronomy, is a heavily conditioned one because the continuation of this covenant is dependent on the Hebrews faithfully obeying God and doing their duties. Indeed, all the laws are now divinely ordained, such that violations are now sins.
What is the covenant with Abraham?
Covenant with Abraham. The Abrahamic covenant of Genesis 15 is one where God promises Abraham land , innumerable descendants, and an ongoing , special relationship between those descendants and God. Nothing is asked for in return — neither Abraham nor his descendants “owe” God anything in exchange for the land or the relationship.
What is the Universal Covenant?
Universal Covenant with Noah. One of the covenants described in the Bible between God and humans is the “universal” covenant after the end of the Flood. Noah is the primary witness to it, but the promise not to again destroy life on such a scale is made to all humans and all other life on the planet.
What is the difference between a covenant and a testament?
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COVENANT AND A TESTAMENT. “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; ” Romans 9:4. There is much disagreement and misunderstanding among Christians concerning a covenant and a testament.
What is a covenant in a will?
Thus, a covenant is an agreement between two parties and does not require blood. The testament was a testification of a will, in the form prescribed by law, made solemnly, on purpose that it may be effectual after ones death.
What covenant did God make with Abraham?
God made a covenant with Himself concerning Abraham. (See Heb. 6:13). The Covenant made to Moses and Israel concerned the Law and was testified to by the shedding of the blood of animals. “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
What was the covenant promise to Israel?
The covenant promises of the land to Israel are too numerous for us to list them here. At Mount Sinai, God gave the Law to Israel and it was there they entered into a contract with God that they would obey His laws. These were written in a book, which was called the covenant.
Why is the blood called the testament?
Keep in mind that the covenant was the agreement between God and Israel, whereas, the blood was the testimony of their agreement. This is why it is called the testament. It testified to the solemnity of the agreement. God promised Israel that in the latter days He would establish a New Covenant with THEM.
Where in the Bible does it say "to thy seed have I given this land"?
Genesis 6:18. (See Gen. 9:9,11,12,13,15,16,17). The next use of the word covenant concerns Abraham and the Promised Land. “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:” Genesis 15:18. The covenant promises of the land ...
Where in the Bible is the word "but with thee will I establish my covenant"?
It is used throughout the Old Testament, and our text in Romans states that pertained to Israel; seeing that most of the Old Testament Scriptures are about them. The first use of the word is with Noah. “But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee”.
What is the covenant in the Bible?
So in older translations, the word testament most often refers to a covenant, which is an intimate relationship and commitment between two parties. God entered into covenant with Noah ( Genesis 9:9–11 ), with Abraham ( Genesis 15:18 ), with Abraham's descendants, the Israelites ( Exodus 19:5 ), and with David ( Psalm 89:3–4 ).
What does the word "testament" mean in the Bible?
What does the word 'testament' mean? The word testament in biblical usage comes from the Greek word diatheke. In Greek, diatheke means contract, advisory will, or covenant. It comes from a root word that can mean disposition or arrangement.
What does "last will and testament" mean?
In English, the word testament is most often used to describe the legal requirements of how earthly possessions should be dispensed after a person's death, as in "a last will and testament.". However, it can also be used in the sense meaning evidence of a specified fact and is related to the English words testify and testimony.
Where a testament is there must also be the death of the testator?
The King James Version reads, "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.". Most other English translations use the word will in this passage rather than testament.
Is the Bible divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament?
Finally, we have the division of the Bible into the Old Testament comprised of texts written before Jesus' birth and the New Testament comprised of texts written after Jesus' incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension.
What is the covenant in the Old Testament?
In this the promise is that there shall be no more deluge. A covenant is made with Abraham, the thought of which includes his descendants.
What is the meaning of covenant?
In essence a covenant is an agreement, but an agreement of a solemn and binding force. The early Semitic idea of a covenant was doubtless that which prevailed among the Arabs (see especially W. Robertson Smith, Religion of the Semites, 2nd edition, passim).
What is the history of the covenant idea?
History of Covenant Idea: The history of the covenant idea in Israel, as between God and man, is not altogether easy to trace. This applies especially to the great covenants between God and Israel, namely, the one with Abraham, and the one made at Sinai.
What is the covenant of God with Abraham?
In the covenant of God with Abraham is another ceremony, quite certainly with the same purpose. This is a peculiar observance, namely, the cutting of animals into two parts and passing between the severed portions ( Genesis 15:9-18 ), a custom also referred to in Jeremiah 34:18.
What is the idea of covenants between God and men?
It cannot in this case, however, be an agreement between contracting parties who stand on an equality, but God, the superior, always takes the initiative.
What was the covenant between Hezekiah and the people?
The covenant with Hezekiah and the people ( 2 Chronicles 29:10) consisted essentially of an agreement on their part to reform the worship; the covenant with Josiah and the people ( 2 Kings 23:3 ), of an agreement on their part to obey the Book of the Law.
What does it mean to be adopted into the clan of the other?
Ordinarily this meant that one was adopted into the clan of the other. Hence, this act involved the clan of one of the contracting parties, and also brought the other party into relation with the god of this clan, by bringing him into the community life of the clan, which included its god.
As nouns the difference between testament and covenant
is that testament is will, testament while covenant is (legal) an agreement to do or not do a particular thing.
Verb
Jupiter covenanted with him, that it should be hot or cold, wet or dry, as the tenant should direct.
Different Levels of Meaning to Words
Words Often Have Multiple Meanings
- For example, the word “gay,” when I was growing up meant “someone who was happy and prosperous.” We have this meaning in mind when referring to the “Gay 20’s” in American history, but then the word has taken on another meaning, as referring to someone as a homosexual, and now with the younger kids, it has taken on yet another added meaning of referring to something …
Moving from One Language to Another
- How words move from one language to another is an interesting study for me. For example, let’s look at the words TESTAMENT and COVENANT. In the Hebrew Old Testament, the word B’RIT (Strong’s #1285) is translated into English as COVENANT, but the word TESTAMENT is not an intrinsic part of this word’s meaning. However, in the New Testament, the Greek word DIATHEK…
The Problem Is in The English
- Although the word TESTAMENT is directly derived from the Latin, the English meaning of this term does NOT include the concept of a COVENANT. And this is a major problem. Because the English meaning of the word TESTAMENT, as it’s commonly understood by most people, can only be seen in only TWO VERSES of the entire Bible. What should be the dominant ...
The Meaning of Testament
- Let me explain, in English, the dominant meaning of the word “TESTAMENT” refers to a persons will, like in one’s “WILL AND TESTAMENT,” and we understand in our English- speaking societies that an OLDER TESTAMENT (or WILL) can be REPLACED when a person writes a new and updated WILL or TESTAMENT. And like I just mentioned, there’s only TWO VERSES (Hebrews 9:1…
Covenant vs. Testament
- In contradiction to the idea of a personal will, the Hebrew word B’RIT and the Greek word DIATHEKE means “COVENANT” in all of the Bible, except for those two verses in Hebrews 9, and again a COVENANT is completely different than a TESTAMENT. For one thing, a TESTAMENT (WILL) can be replaced with a newer TESTAMENT (WILL), but a COVENANT can NEVER be REPL…
The Proper Understanding of Covenant
- If you look up the word “COVENANT” online, you will find multiple articles written about the ancient process of how COVENANTS were made. This is how they erroneously understand “COVENANT.” This is like someone understanding the meaning and essence of marriage by examining the marriage ceremony. Some marriage ceremonies are rather simple in their structur…
Biblical Examples of Covenants
- First, COVENANTS are used to improve, strengthen, or intensify an already existing RELATIONSHIP. For example, marriage between a man and a woman. Prior to marriage, the man and woman began and have an ongoing social relationship, but then at some point, they decide to strengthen and intensify that RELATIONSHIP, as well as make it more intimate, by getting marrie…
Conclusion
- Therefore, does it make a difference whether we use the word “COVENANT” or “TESTAMENT“? The same word may be used in the Greek and Latin for both, but in English, the two words are miles apart. Therefore, if we are going to use the best word possible to communicate what is written in the original languages, then the word COVENANT should be used, except for the two v…