Brief Overview of ἀρραβών (G728: arrhabōn)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: arrhabōn

Root Words:

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• ἀρραβών (arrhabōn): From the Greek root ἀρραβών (arrhabōn), which means “pledge” or “earnest.”

Primary Meanings:

• Pledge/Earnest Money: The term ἀρραβών refers to a payment or deposit made as a pledge or earnest money in a transaction. It signifies a guarantee or down payment that assures the fulfillment of a contract or agreement.
• Guarantee: In a broader sense, it implies a guarantee or assurance of future payment or performance.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἀρραβών as “a pledge or earnest money,” emphasizing its use as a guarantee for a future payment or performance. It is a term used to denote a deposit or down payment made to secure a transaction or agreement.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀρραβών as “earnest money” or “pledge,” highlighting its role as a partial payment given to confirm and guarantee a future full payment.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes that ἀρραβών is “earnest money” or “pledge,” used to assure the completion of a transaction. It is a term that signifies security or assurance.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἀρραβών as “earnest money” or “pledge,” reflecting its function as a form of guarantee in financial and legal transactions.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀρραβών as “a pledge” or “earnest,” consistent with its usage as a guarantee or deposit in transactions.

Bible Verses:

• 2 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV): “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
• Here, ἀρραβών is used to describe the Holy Spirit as a pledge or guarantee of future blessings.
• Ephesians 1:14 (KJV): “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
• The term ἀρραβών is used to denote the Holy Spirit as the earnest or guarantee of our future inheritance.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classic Greek literature, ἀρραβών was primarily used in financial and legal contexts:

• Demosthenes’ Orations (circa 4th century BC): Uses the term in legal contexts to describe earnest money or a pledge in commercial transactions.
• Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (circa 4th century BC): Mentions the concept of a pledge or earnest in discussions on ethics and finance.
• Plato’s Dialogues (circa 4th century BC): Refers to earnest money or pledges in various philosophical and legal contexts.

4. Summary:

ἀρραβών (G728: arrhabōn) means “earnest money” or “pledge,” signifying a deposit made to guarantee the fulfillment of a transaction or agreement. BDAG and other lexicons agree on its use as a guarantee or security in financial and legal contexts. In classic Greek literature, it denotes a pledge or down payment, reflecting its role in ensuring the completion of agreements. The term is used in the New Testament to describe the Holy Spirit as a pledge of future blessings, highlighting its significance as a guarantee of promises.