Difference between revisions of "Testament"

<p> <strong> [[Testament]] </strong> . The word is not found in the OT. In the text of the RV [Note: Revised Version.] of the NT it occurs only twice (&nbsp; Hebrews 9:16 f.) and is used to translate the Gr. word <em> diathçkç </em> , elsewhere rendered ‘covenant’ (with ‘testament’ in the margin). In &nbsp; Hebrews 9:15-20 <em> diathçkç </em> is three times translated ‘covenant,’ and twice ‘testament.’ An indication of the difficulty involved in its interpretation is given in the marginal note: ‘The Greek word here used signifies both <em> covenant </em> and <em> testament </em> .’ </p> <p> In classical Greek <em> diathçkç </em> means ‘a testamentary disposition,’ and <em> synthçkç </em> ‘a covenant.’ The latter word connotes an agreement between two persons regarded as being on an equal footing ( <em> syn- </em> ); hence it is unsuitable as a designation of God’s gracious covenants with men. The LXX [Note: Septuagint.] therefore use <em> diathçkç </em> as the equivalent of the Heb. word for ‘covenant’ ( <em> bÄ•rîth </em> ), its most frequent application being to the [[Divine]] covenants, which are not matters of mutual arrangement between God and His people, but are rather ‘analogous to the disposition of property by testament.’ In the LXX [Note: Septuagint.] <em> diathçkç </em> was extended to covenants between man and man, but Westcott says: ‘There is not the least trace of the meaning “testament” in the Greek Old Test. Scriptures, and the idea of a “testament” was indeed foreign to the [[Jews]] till the time of the Herods’ ( <em> Com. on Hebrews </em> , Additional Note on &nbsp; Hebrews 9:15 ). </p> <p> In the NT ‘covenant’ is unquestionably the correct translation of <em> diathçkç </em> when it occurs ‘in strictly Biblical and Hebraic surroundings’ [see Covenant]. But, as Ramsay has pointed out, there was a development in the meaning of the word after the publication of the LXX [Note: Septuagint.] . This development was ‘partly in the line of natural growth in Greek will-making, … partly in the way of assimilation of Roman ideas on <strong> wills </strong> ’ ( <em> Hist. Com. on Galatians </em> , p. 360). Therefore the question which the interpreter must ask is, ‘What ideas did the word convey to the first readers of the NT writings?’ </p> <p> The Revisers’ preference for ‘testament’ in &nbsp;Hebrews 9:16 f. is strongly confirmed by the fact that ‘the Roman will … appeared in the East as a document which had no standing and no meaning until after the testator’s death, and was revocable by him at pleasure.’ But whilst the [[Epistle]] to the Hebrews was written to those who knew only the Roman will, the Epistle to the Galatians was written at a time when in Hellenized Asia Minor ‘irrevocability was a characteristic feature’ of Greek will-making. The [[Galatian]] will had to do primarily with the appointment of an heir; no second will could invalidate it or ‘add essentially novel conditions.’ Such a will furnished St. Paul (&nbsp; Galatians 3:15 ) with an analogy; like God’s word, it was ‘irrevocable.’ It might be supplemented in details, but ‘in essence the second will must confirm the original will’ (Ramsay, <em> op. cit </em> . p. 349 ff.). </p> <p> In the NT, <em> testamentum </em> is the uniform Lat. tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of <em> diathçkç </em> . Frequently, therefore, it means ‘covenant’ (&nbsp; Luke 1:72 , &nbsp; Acts 7:3 , &nbsp; Romans 11:27 etc.). This use of the Latin word is the explanation of the fact that, as early as the second cent of our era, the books of the Old and New [[Covenants]] were spoken of as the Old and New Testaments. </p> <p> J. G. Tasker. </p>

<p> This word is very familiar to the reader of the Bible. Every one knows what is meant by the New Testament; but perhaps the peculiar blessedness of the name, seen with an eye to Christ, is not so richly and so fully enjoyed as it ought even by real believers. There is indeed a most precious savour in the word, when we have respect to it, as Jesus had to the symbols of his supper, when he called the sacred service "the New Testament in his blood." </p> <p> A testament, in the common acceptation of the term, implies the last act and will of a person in disposing of his effects. So the apostle called it, &nbsp;Hebrews 9:15-17. Such therefore was the blessed act of Christ; and the gospel was called so because it contained the legacies and testamentary effects Jesus bequeathed to his church and people. </p> <p> In respect to the term, New Testament, that was not added as if the contents of it differed from the Old; for in fact it became a fulfilment and confirmation of all that went before: every thing in the Old Testament was the shadow and type of the New. But the peculiar cause for calling it New was, as being newly accomplished and sealed by the blood of its almighty Author; and when first so called the Lord Jesus had but just shed his blood at Jerusalem. </p> <p> I cannot dismiss the subject, after thus explaining the meaning of the term itself, without calling upon the reader to remark with me how very precious the very name of the New Testament ought to be to every lover of the Lord Jesus, who by the regenerating influence of the [[Holy]] Ghost is conscious that he is interested in the contents of it. Reader! pause over the name—"The New Testament in Christ's blood," Surely, I would say, Jesus by his death hath confirmed it, and made all the blessed legacies in it secure and payable. For as the Holy Ghost saith by Paul, "A Testament is of force after men are dead, otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." (&nbsp;Hebrews 9:17) Shall we not enquire then what Jesus hath left, and to whom he hath left, his vast property? We know that all power is his in heaven and in earth; all blessings are his, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. And surely, it is worth enquiry after such durable treasure! </p> <p> Now Jesus, before his departure, expressed himself to his disciples on this subject when he said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (&nbsp;John 14:27) Hence therefore the legacies of Jesus are to his people, his disciples, his children. As men before they die make their wills, and give their property to their relations and friends, so the Lord Jesus did his. It is his church, his spouse, his offspring, which are by name mentioned in his will, and who alone are interested in it. Oh, for grace then to prove the Lord's will in it. Oh, for to lay claim to all the legacies contained in it! Am I married to the Lord, and hath Jesus bethrothed me to him for ever? Am I gathered out of nature's darkness, and become a child of God by adoption and by grace? It is said, If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Am I a new creature, renewed by the Holy Ghost; and hath the Lord given me a new heart and a new mind, so that old things are passed away, and all things are become new? Oh! for the blessed discovery of these sure marks of a relationship to Christ, and in Christ; for then sure I am, that I have an interest in Christ's will, and he that gave himself for me, hath given all blessings to me. And as he died to make his Testament valid, so he ever liveth to be the executor and administrator of his Testament, and to see the whole blessings of his will faithfully given to his whole Church and people. Hail thou glorious [[Testator]] of the New Testament in thy blood! </p>

<p> TEST'AMENT, n. L. testamentum, from testor, to make a will. </p> 1. A solemn authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his will as to the disposal of his estate and effects after his death. This is otherwise called a will. A testament,to be valid, must be made when the testator is of sound mind, and it must be subscribed, witnessed and published in such manner as the law prescribes. <p> A man in certain cases may make a valid will by words only, and such will is called nuncupative. </p> 2. The name of each general division of the canonical books of the sacred [[Scriptures]] as the Old Testament the New Testament. The name is equivalent to covenant, and in our use of it, we apply it to the books which contain the old and new dispensations that of Moses, and that of Jesus Christ.

<p> '''(1):''' ''' (''' n.) A solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his will as to disposal of his estate and effects after his death. </p> <p> '''(2):''' ''' (''' n.) One of the two distinct revelations of God's purposes toward man; a covenant; also, one of the two general divisions of the canonical books of the sacred Scriptures, in which the covenants are respectively revealed; as, the Old Testament; the New Testament; - often limited, in colloquial language, to the latter. </p>

&nbsp;Hebrews 9:15Bible

Covenant

<p> (See [[Covenant]] ; [[Heir; Wills]] ) </p>

<p> See [[Covenant, The New]] </p>

<p> is the frequent rendering, in the New Test., of the Greek '''''Διαθήκη''''' (literally a ''Disposal),'' and both are used in two distinct senses (see Cremer, ''Lex. Of N.T. Greek,'' p. 576 sq.). </p> <p> '''1.''' The natural, and in classical Greek, as in ordinary English, the only, signification is a devisement by will or legacy (Plutarch, ''De A Dulat.'' 28; Plato, ''Legg.'' 922; Demosth. 1136, 12), and in this sense the word occurs in &nbsp;Hebrews 9:16-17. (See [[Inheritance]]). </p> <p> '''2.''' But the more common signification in the New Test. is one that has come over from the Sept., which often uses '''''Διαθήκη''''' . as a rendering of the Heb. '''''בַּרַית''''' , or ''Covenant;'' and in this sense "testament" is the rendering in the A.V. of the Greek word in &nbsp;Hebrews 7:22; &nbsp;Hebrews 9:20; &nbsp;Revelation 11:19; and especially in the phrase the new testament (&nbsp;Matthew 26:28; &nbsp;Mark 14:24; &nbsp;Luke 22:20; &nbsp;1 Corinthians 3:6; &nbsp;Hebrews 9:15 [i.e. "new covenant," as ill &nbsp;Hebrews 8:8; &nbsp;Hebrews 12:24]), which has gained currency as the title of the [[Christian]] Scriptures as a whole. See ''New- Englander;'' May, 1857, ''Lond.'' (Wesleyan) ''Quar. Rev.'' July, 1857. (See Covenant). </p>

<p> ''''' tes´ta ''''' - ''''' ment ''''' : The word διαθήκη , <i> ''''' diathḗkē ''''' </i> , almost invariably rendered "covenant," was rendered in the King James Version "testament" in &nbsp; Hebrews 9:16 , &nbsp;Hebrews 9:17 , in the sense of a will to dispose of property after the maker's death. It is not easy to find justification for the retention of this translation in the Revised Version (British and American), "especially in a book which is so impregnated with the language of the [[Septuagint]] as the Epistle to the Hebrews" (Hatch). See Covenant In The New Testament . </p>

<p> [BIBLE] </p>