<strong>WILL (TESTAMENT)</strong> (<span class="greek">διαθήκη</span>, <span class="gknumber">G1347</span>, <em>disposition</em>, <em>ordinance, full arrangement</em>). The published will of a person (in the NT, God or Christ) concerning his possessions and his heirs.<br /><br />

In the LXX the term <span class="greek">διαθήκη</span>, <span class="gknumber">G1347</span>, is the common tr. for the Heb. word <span class="hebrew">בְּרִית</span>, <span class="gknumber">H1382</span>, <em>covenant.</em> This suggests that the Gr. trs. understood the OT as more than simply an agreement between parties. Rather, it was a publication of God’s sovereign will for man’s salvation in which man cooperated.<br /><br />

By NT times the primary meaning of <span class="greek">διαθήκη</span>, <span class="gknumber">G1347</span>, as <em>will</em> or <em>testament</em> had so far exerted itself that the idea of <em>agreement</em> is largely lacking. Particularly in non-Biblical Gr. lit., the term connoted simply “last will and testament.” Paul uses the word in this light (<bibleref ref="Gal.3.15-Gal.3.17">Gal 3:15-17</bibleref>, KJV <em>covenant</em>) in demonstrating that God’s covenant, like a man’s will, can be changed only by the originator. Similarly, the writer to the Hebrews expresses the terms of the covenant (<span class="greek">διαθήκη</span>, <span class="gknumber">G1347</span>) on an analogy with a will (<span class="greek">διαθήκη</span>, <span class="gknumber">G1347</span>) (<span class="bibleref-error">9:15-18</span>). He shows that when the testator dies, then only does the will become operative. Thus, since Christ has died, all the promises of the covenant are available to man.<br /><br />

Generally, however, the NT uses the term in a broader sense more in keeping with the OT idea. Jesus’ statement of a “new testament” in His blood tells of a new disposition of affairs for the redemption of men.<br /><br />

<h2>Bibliography</h2>

G. Kittel, TWNT, II, 124-134.<br /><br />

Will (Testament)