Strong's Lexicon
G1242 — διαθήκη
Greek entry for Bible study and original-language reference.
Definition / Gloss
| Strong's Number: | G1242 |
|---|---|
| Word: | διαθήκη |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Etymology: | from G1303 |
| Language: | Greek |
| Occurrences: | 33 |
| Transliteration: | diatheke |
| Phonetic Spelling/Pronunciation: | dee-ath-ay'-kay |
| Meaning: | 1. (properly) a disposition 2. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will) |
| KJV Renderings: | covenant, testament |
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Thayer's Greek Lexicon
διαθήκη, διαθήκης, ἡ (διατίθημι);
1. a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid (German Verordnung, Willensverfugung): Gal 3:15, where under the name of a man’s disposition is meant specifically a testament, so far forth as it is a specimen and example of that disposition (cf. Meyer or Lightfoot at the passage); especially the last disposal which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will (so in Greek writings from (Aristophanes), Plato, legg. 11, p. 922 c. following down): Heb 9:16 f
2. a compact, covenant (Aristophanes av. 440), very often in the Scriptures for áÀÌøÄéú (Vulg.testamentum). For the word covenant is used to denote the close relationship which God entered into, first with Noah (Gen 6:18; Gen 9:9 ff (cf. Sir 44:18)), then with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their posterity (Lev 26:42 (cf. 2Ma 1:2)), but especially with Abraham (Gen 15:1-21 and Gen 17:1-27), and afterward through Moses with the people of Israel (Exo 24:1-18; Deu 5:2; Deuteronomy 28:69 ()). By this last covenant the Israelites are bound to obey God’s will as expressed and solemnly promulged in the Mosaic law; and he promises them his almighty protection and blessings of every kind in this world, but threatens transgressors with the severest punishments. Hence, in the N. T. we find mention of αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης (äÇáÀÌøÄéú ìåÌçåú, Deu 9:9; Deu 9:15), the tables of the law, on which the duties of the covenant were inscribed (Exo 20:1-26); of ἡ κιβωτός τῆς διαθήκης (äÇáÀÌøÄéú àÂøåï, Deu 10:8; Deu 31:9; Jos 3:6, etc.), the ark of the covenant or law, in which those tables were deposited, Heb 9:4; Rev 11:19; of ἡ διαθήκη περιτομῆς, the covenant of circumcision, made with Abraham, whose sign and seal was circumcision (Gen 17:10 ff), Act 7:8; of τό αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης, the blood of the victims, by the shedding and sprinkling of which the Mosaic covenant was ratified, Heb 9:20 from Exo 24:8; of αἱ διαθῆκαι, the covenants, one made with Abraham, the other through Moses with the Israelites, Rom 9:4 (L text Tr marginal reading ἡ διαθήκη) (Sap). 18:22; Sir 44:11; 2Ma 8:15; Epistle of Barnabas 9 [ET]; (cf. Winer’s Grammar, 177 (166))); of αἱ διαθῆκαι τῆς ἐπαγγελίας, the covenants to which the promise of salvation through the Messiah was annexed, Eph 2:12 (συνθηκαι ἀγαθῶν ὑποσχέσεων, Wis 12:21); for Christian salvation is the fulfillment of the divine promises annexed to those covenants, especially to that made with Abraham: Luk 1:72; Act 3:25; Rom 11:27; Gal 3:17 (where διαθήκη is God’s arrangement, i. e. the promise made to Abraham). As the new and far more excellent bond of friendship which God in the Messiah’s time would enter into with the people of Israel is called, çÂãÈùÈÑä áÀÌøÄéú, καινή διαθήκη (Jeremiah 38:31 ()) — which divine promise Christ has made good (Heb 8:8-10; Heb 10:16) — we find in the N. T. two distinct covenants spoken of, δύο διαθῆκαι (Gal 4:24), viz. the Mosaic and the Christian, with the former of which (τῇ πρώτη διαθήκη, Heb 9:15; Heb 9:18; cf. Heb 8:9) the latter is contrasted, as καινή διαθήκη, Mat 26:28; Mar 14:24 (in both passages in R G L (in Matthew in Tr also)); Luk 22:20 (WH reject the passage); 1Co 11:25; 2Co 3:6; Heb 8:8; κρείττων διαθήκη, Heb 7:22; αἰώνιος διαθήκη, Heb 13:20; and Christ is called κρείττονος or καινῆς or νέας διαθήκης μεσίτης: Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24. This new covenant binds men to exercise faith in Christ, and God promises them grace and salvation eternal. This covenant Christ set up and ratified by undergoing death; hence, the phrases τό αἷμα τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης, τό αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης (see αἷμα sub at the end) (Heb 10:29); τό αἷμα μου τῆς διαθήκης, my blood by the shedding of which the covenant is established, Mat 26:28 T WH and Mar 14:24 T Tr WH (on two genitives after one noun cf. Matthiae, § 380, Anm. 1; Kühner, ii., p. 288f; (Jelf, § 543, 1, cf § 466; Winers Grammar, § 30, 3 Note 3; Buttmann, 155 (136))). By metonymy of the contained for the container ἡ παλαιά διαθήκη is used in 2Co 3:14 of the sacred books of the O. T. because in them the conditions and principles of the older covenant were recorded. Finally must be noted the amphiboly or twofold use (cf. Philo de mut. nom. § 6) by which the writer to the Hebrews, in Heb 9:16 f, substitutes for the meaning covenant which διαθήκη bears elsewhere in the Epistle that of testament (see 1 above), and likens Christ to a testator — not only because the author regards eternal blessedness as an inheritance bequeathed by Christ, but also because he is endeavoring to show, both that the attainment of eternal salvation is made possible for the disciples of Christ by his death (Heb 9:15), and that even the Mosaic covenant had been consecrated by blood (Heb 9:18 ff). This, apparently, led the Latin Vulg. to render διαθήκη wherever it occurs in the Bible (i. e. in the New Testament, not always in the Old Testament; see B. D. under the word , and B. D. American edition under the word ) by the wordtestamentum.
Other Resources
Englishman's Greek Concordance
διαθήκη (covenant)
Matthew 26:28
- KJV: For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins
- GK: τούτο γαρ εστι το αίμά μου το της καινής διαθήκης το περί πολλών εκχυνόμενον εις άφεσιν αμαρτιών
Mark 14:24
- KJV: And he said unto them This is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many
- GK: και είπεν αυτοίς τούτό εστι το αίμά μου το της καινής διαθήκης το περί πολλών εκχυνόμενον
Luke 1:72
- KJV: To perform the mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant
- GK: ποιήσαι έλεος μετά των πατέρων ημών και μνησθήναι διαθήκης αγίας αυτού
Luke 22:20
- KJV: Likewise also the cup after supper saying This cup the new testament in my blood which is shed for you
- GK: ωσαύτως και το ποτήριον μετά το δειπνήσαι λέγων τούτο το ποτήριον η καινή διαθήκη εν τω αίματί το υπέρ υμών εκχυνόμενον
Acts 3:25
- KJV: Ye are the children of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with our fathers saying unto Abraham And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed
- GK: υμείς εστε υιοί των προφητών και της διαθήκης ης διέθετο ο θεός προς τους πατέρας ημών λέγων προς Αβραάμ και εν τω σπέρματί σου ενευλογηθήσονται πάσαι αι πατριαί της γης
Acts 7:8
- KJV: And he gave him the covenant of circumcision and so begat Isaac and circumcised him the eighth day and Isaac Jacob and Jacob the twelve patriarchs
- GK: και έδωκεν αυτώ διαθήκην περιτομής και ούτως εγέννησε τον Ισαάκ και περιέτεμεν αυτόν τη ημέρα τη ογδόη και ο Ισαάκ τον Ιακώβ και ο Ιακώβ τους δώδεκα πατριάρχας
Romans 9:4
- KJV: Who are Israelites to whom the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the law and the service and the promises
- GK: οίτινές εισιν Ισραηλίται ων η υιοθεσία και η δόξα και αι διαθήκαι και η νομοθεσία και η λατρεία και αι επαγγελίαι
Romans 11:27
- KJV: For this my covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins
- GK: και αύτη αυτοίς η παρ΄ εμού διαθήκη όταν αφέλωμαι τας αμαρτίας αυτών
1 Corinthians 11:25
- KJV: After the same manner also the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the new testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink in remembrance of me
- GK: ωσαύτως και το ποτήριον μετά το δειπνήσαι λέγων τούτο το ποτήριον η καινή διαθήκη εστίν εν τω εμώ αίματι τούτο ποιείτε οσάκις αν πίνητε εις την εμήν ανάμνησιν
2 Corinthians 3:6
- KJV: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament not of the letter but of the spirit for the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life
- GK: ος και ικάνωσεν ημάς διακόνους καινής διαθήκης ου γράμματος αλλά πνεύματος το γαρ γράμμα αποκτείνει το δε πνεύμα ζωοποιεί
2 Corinthians 3:14
- KJV: But their minds were blinded for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament which is done away in Christ
- GK: αλλ΄ επωρώθη τα νοήματα αυτών άχρι γαρ της σήμερον το αυτό κάλυμμα επί τη αναγνώσει της παλαιάς διαθήκης μένει μη ανακαλυπτόμενον ότι εν χριστώ καταργείται
Galatians 3:15
- KJV: Brethren I speak after the manner of men Though but a man’s covenant confirmed no man disannulleth or addeth thereto
- GK: αδελφοί κατά άνθρωπον λέγω όμως ανθρώπου κεκυρωμένην διαθήκην ουδείς αθετεί η επιδιατάσσεται
Galatians 3:17
- KJV: And this I say the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ the law which was four hundred and thirty years after cannot disannul that it should make the promise of none effect
- GK: τούτο δε λέγω διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην υπό του θεού εις χριστού ο μετά έτη τετρακόσια και τριάκοντα γεγονώς νόμος ουκ ακυροί εις το καταργήσαι την επαγγελίαν
Galatians 4:24
- KJV: Which things are an allegory for these are the two covenants the one from the mount Sinai which gendereth to bondage which is Agar
- GK: άτινά εστιν αλληγορούμενα αύται γαρ εισιν αι δύο διαθήκαι μία μεν από όρους Σινά εις δουλείαν γεννώσα ήτις εστίν Αγάρ
Ephesians 2:12
- KJV: That at that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world
- GK: ότι ήτε εν τω καιρώ εκείνω χωρίς χριστού απηλλοτριωμένοι της πολιτείας του Ισραήλ και ξένοι των διαθηκών της επαγγελίας ελπίδα μη έχοντες και άθεοι εν τω κόσμω
Hebrews 7:22
- KJV: By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament
- GK: κατά τοσούτον κρείττονος διαθήκης γέγονεν έγγυος Ιησούς
Hebrews 8:6
- KJV: But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises
- GK: νυνί δε διαφορωτέρας τέτευχε λειτουργίας όσω και κρείττονός εστι διαθήκης μεσίτης ήτις επί κρείττοσιν επαγγελίαις νενομοθέτηται
Hebrews 8:8
- KJV: For finding fault with them he saith Behold the days come saith the Lord when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah
- GK: μεμφόμενος γαρ αυτοίς λέγει ιδού ημέραι έρχονται λέγει κύριος και συντελέσω επί τον οίκον Ισραήλ και επί τον οίκον Ιούδα διαθήκην καινήν
Hebrews 8:9
- KJV: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt because they continued not in my covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord
- GK: ου κατά την διαθήκην ην εποίησα τοις πατράσιν αυτών εν ημέρα επιλαβομένου μου της χειρός αυτών εξαγαγείν αυτούς εκ γης Αιγύπτου ότι αυτοί ουκ ενέμειναν εν τη διαθήκη μου καγώ ημέλησα αυτών λέγει κύριος
Hebrews 8:10
- KJV: For this the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people
- GK: ότι αύτη η διαθήκη ην διαθήσομαι τω οίκω Ισραήλ μετά τας ημέρας εκείνας λέγει κύριος διδούς νόμους μου εις την διάνοιαν και επί καρδίας αυτών επιγράψω αυτούς και έσομαι αυτοίς εις θεόν και αυτοί έσονταί μοι εις λαόν
Hebrews 9:4
- KJV: Which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold where in the golden pot that had manna and Aaron’s rod that budded and the tables of the covenant
- GK: χρυσούν έχουσα θυμιατήριον και την κιβωτόν της διαθήκης περικεκαλυμμένην πάντοθεν χρυσίω εν η στάμνος χρυσή έχουσα το μάννα και η ράβδος Ααρών η βλαστήσασα και αι πλάκες της διαθήκης
Hebrews 9:15
- KJV: And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions under the first testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance
- GK: και διά τούτο διαθήκης καινής μεσίτης εστίν όπως θανάτου γενομένου εις απολύτρωσιν των επί τη πρώτη διαθήκη παραβάσεων την επαγγελίαν λάβωσιν οι κεκλημένοι της αιωνίου κληρονομίας
Hebrews 9:16
- KJV: For where a testament the death of the testator
- GK: όπου γαρ διαθήκη θάνατον ανάγκη φέρεσθαι του διαθεμένου
Hebrews 9:17
- KJV: For a testament of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth
- GK: διαθήκη γαρ επί νεκροίς βεβαία επεί μήποτε ισχύει ότε ζη ο διαθέμενος
Hebrews 9:20
- KJV: Saying This the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you
- GK: λέγων τούτο τα αίμα της διαθήκης ης ενετείλατο προς υμάς ο θεός
Hebrews 10:16
- KJV: This the covenant that I will make with them after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them
- GK: αύτη η διαθήκη ην διαθήσομαι προς αυτούς μετά τας ημέρας εκείνας λέγει κύριος διδούς νόμους μου επί καρδίας αυτών και επί των διανοιών αυτών επιγράψω αυτούς
Hebrews 10:29
- KJV: Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant where with he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace
- GK: πόσω δοκείτε χείρονος αξιωθήσεται τιμωρίας ο τον υιόν του θεού καταπατήσας και το αίμα της διαθήκης κοινόν ηγησάμενος εν ω ηγιάσθη και το πνεύμα της χάριτος ενυβρίσας
Hebrews 12:24
- KJV: And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than Abel
- GK: και διαθήκης νέας μεσίτη Ιησού και αίματι ραντισμού κρείττον λαλούντι παρά τον Άβελ
Hebrews 13:20
- KJV: Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant
- GK: ο δε θεός της ειρήνης ο αναγαγών εκ νεκρών τον ποιμένα των προβάτων τον μέγαν εν αίματι διαθήκης αιωνόυ τον κύριον ημών Ιησούν χριστόν
Revelation 11:19
- KJV: And the temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament and there were lightnings and voices and thunderings and an earthquake and great hail
- GK: και ηνοίγη ο ναός του θεού εν τω ουρανώ και ώφθη η κιβωτός της διαθήκης του κυρίου εν τω ναώ αυτού και εγένοντο αστραπαί και φωναί και βρονταί και χάλαζα μεγάλη