What Does Hebrews 9:17 Mean in the King James?
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word rendered “testament” also means “covenant,” so death is the hinge joining inheritance to the bond.
THE MEANING
The covenant’s promise takes effect through the testator’s death. The word translated “testament” also carries the sense of “covenant,” holding an inheritance and a binding bond together. The verse places the force of that promise in a death already undergone.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The promise is not waiting for you to make it binding; its force rests on the testator’s death.
THE ROOT
διαθήκη
diathēkē
GROWS FROM
διατίθημι
diatithēmi
To arrange, dispose, or establish a bond.
The KJV’s “testament” carries the sense of an inheritance, while this same Greek word also means “covenant.” Here, the death is the hinge that gives the arranged promise its force.
ALSO GROWS
tithēmi: To place, set.
τίθημι
The covenant is an arrangement set in place; the verse names the death through which that arrangement takes effect.
diatithemai: To arrange, dispose, or make a covenant.
διατίθεμαι
This verb names the act behind the covenant: a bond is established, and the verse identifies death as the point when its terms become binding.
THE PATTERN
A covenant’s force is bound to the death that seals its terms.
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:And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.THE THREAD
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.The same Greek word, διαθήκη (diathēkē), means “testament” and “covenant” in this passage. Verse 16 names the necessary death; verse 17 shows when the arranged promise takes effect.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us