From: Noam & Joan Hendren (noamh@netmedia.co.il)
Date: Mon Apr 22 1996 - 04:26:50 EDT
Brian Johnson wrote:
>>I came across a textual variant last night that has intrigued me. The
NA27 text of Romans 9:4 contains hAI DIAQHKAI. This reading is supported
by Sinaiticus among others. While P46, Vaticanus and others contain hH
DIAQHKH. My first impression is that the text is preferable as it stands.
I would understand the singular as a later correction made to avoid the
difficulties of identifying "covenants." Does this seem to be correct?
Also, to what might the plural might refer? <<
There are at least four covenants specifically made between God and Israel
in the OT:
(1) The Abrahamic covenant (see Gen. 15:1-21 esp., but subsequently renewed
with Isaac, Jacob and the nation of Israel as a whole, with all Abrahamic
descendents outside this line excluded; Gen. 17:4-8, 18-21; 26:1-4;
28:10-15; Exod. 6:2-8);
(2) The covenant at Sinai (Ex. 19:5-6; 24:1-8);
(3) The Davidic covenant (II Sam. 7:12-16; I Chr. 17:11-14; cf. Psa.
89:1-5-- granted, this one was made with David but the promises contained
in it are the basis of the Messianic hope and therefore affect all Israel;
cf. Luke 1:30-33; 68-75); and
(4) The New covenant (Jer. 31:30-33; cf. Ezek. 36:24-29).
Note that the Scriptures cited restrict each of these covenants to the
people of Israel, hence Paul's grief that Israel as a nation was not
enjoying the benefits of thesecovenants through faith in her Messiah.
Noam Hendren (ThM 1980, DTS)
Kfar Saba, Israel
"Read not to contradict and confute,
nor to believe and take for granted,
nor to find talk and discourse,
but to weigh and consider."
Sir Francis Bacon ("On Studies")
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