Understanding ἀθέτησις (athetēsis) Strong’s G115: The Divine Act of Setting Aside the Old for Something Greater

Pronunciation Guide: ah-THEH-tay-sis

Basic Definition

Strong’s G115: ἀθέτησις is exclusively used in the book of Hebrews and refers to the act of setting aside, abolishing, or nullifying something that was previously established. It specifically denotes a deliberate cancellation or disannulment, often in legal or covenantal contexts. This word carries the weighty theological significance of God’s sovereign action in replacing the old covenant with the new through the Messiah Jesus.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Feminine Noun
• Root Word: From ἀθετέω (atheteō, G114) meaning “to set aside, nullify”
• Language Origin: Compound of ἀ- (negative prefix) + τίθημι (tithēmi, “to place, establish”)
• Primary Usage: Found in theological and legal discourse sections
• Literary Genre: Doctrinal teaching passages

ἀθέτησις Morphology:

• ἀθέτησις (nominative singular) – cancellation, nullification
• ἀθετήσεως (genitive singular) – of cancellation
• ἀθετήσει (dative singular) – in/by cancellation
• ἀθέτησιν (accusative singular) – cancellation (direct object)

Origin & History

The term ἀθέτησις emerged from classical Greek legal terminology, where it described the formal annulment of contracts or agreements. In Hellenistic papyri, particularly those from Egypt, the word appears in legal documents dealing with the cancellation of debts and obligations.

The historian Diodorus Siculus (1st century BC) used ἀθέτησις in his “Bibliotheca Historica” to describe the nullification of treaties and political agreements. This legal-documentary background provides crucial context for understanding its theological usage in the New Testament, where it describes God’s authoritative action in setting aside the old covenant.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Legal nullification or cancellation of a formally established agreement
• Setting aside of an existing arrangement for a superior alternative
• Deliberate act of abolishing or displacing something previously valid

ἀθέτησις Translation Options:

• “Setting aside” – Emphasizes the deliberate nature of the action and implies replacement
• “Annulment” – Captures the legal force but may miss the redemptive aspect
• “Abolition” – Stresses the complete termination but might overstate the discontinuity
• “Disannulment” – Preserves both legal and theological nuances

Biblical Usage

The word ἀθέτησις appears only twice in the New Testament, both instances carrying profound theological significance. In Hebrews 7:18, it describes God’s setting aside of the former commandment due to its weakness and unprofitability, making way for the superior priesthood of the Messiah. In Hebrews 9:26, it refers to Christ’s work in putting away sin through His sacrifice.

In the Septuagint, while the noun form is rare, the related verb ἀθετέω appears frequently, particularly in contexts where God’s people have rejected His covenant or where prophetic messages announce significant spiritual transitions.

Key passages:

• “For there is verily a setting aside [ἀθέτησις] of the commandment going before” Hebrews 7:18
• “But now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away [ἀθέτησις] sin by the sacrifice of Himself” Hebrews 9:26

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern world, the concept of setting aside or nullifying treaties was extremely significant and often required elaborate ceremonies. Archaeological discoveries have revealed that when Hittite kings established new covenants, they would ceremonially “set aside” old treaties through specific rituals. This cultural background illuminates the profound significance of God’s action in setting aside the old covenant – it wasn’t a casual dismissal but a solemn, purposeful act with deep theological implications.

The Greek world’s understanding of ἀθέτησις in legal documents also required specific conditions and authorities for valid nullification. This parallels how the author of Hebrews carefully establishes God’s authority and Christ’s superiority before discussing the setting aside of the old covenant.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀθέτησις in Hebrews reveals God’s sovereign wisdom in His plan of redemption. It demonstrates that the old covenant’s setting aside was not a divine afterthought but part of God’s eternal purpose. The term shows how God, in His perfect timing, replaced a temporary system with an eternal one through the Messiah Jesus.

This concept beautifully illustrates how God’s progressive revelation works – He doesn’t simply destroy the old but transforms and fulfills it in Christ. The setting aside (ἀθέτησις) of the old covenant wasn’t due to any flaw in God’s original plan but rather served as a divine pedagogue leading to the fullness of time when Christ would establish the new covenant.

The word’s connection to both Hebrews 7:18 and 9:26 shows the intrinsic link between covenant change and sin’s removal – Christ’s work accomplishes both simultaneously.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀθέτησις challenges believers to examine their own lives for areas where they might be clinging to old, ineffective systems instead of embracing God’s new work. Just as God sovereignly set aside the old covenant for something better, He often calls us to let go of familiar but insufficient patterns to embrace His superior ways.

This truth provides comfort in seasons of change, reminding us that God’s “setting aside” always makes way for something greater. When He removes something from our lives, it’s not punishment but preparation for His better provision.

Related Words

• καταργέω (katargeō) [kah-tar-GEH-oh] – to render inoperative, abolish; emphasizes the cessation of something’s power or effectiveness See G2673
• ἀκυρόω (akuroō) [ah-koo-RO-oh] – to invalidate, make void; focuses on rendering something legally invalid See G208
• παλαιόω (palaioō) [pa-lai-O-oh] – to make old, declare obsolete; describes the aging process of the covenant See G3822
• μετατίθημι (metatithēmi) [me-ta-TI-thay-mi] – to transfer, change; emphasizes transition rather than abolition See G3346

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀθέτησις in ancient Greek banking documents described the cancellation of debts, providing a powerful parallel to Christ’s work in canceling the debt of our sin.
• In ancient Near Eastern treaty documents, the phrase equivalent to ἀθέτησις required specific ceremonial actions, often including sacrifice – foreshadowing how Christ’s sacrifice would establish the new covenant.
• Modern Greek still uses forms of ἀθετέω in legal contexts, particularly in discussions of contract law and international treaties, maintaining its ancient connection to authoritative cancellation.

Remember This

ἀθέτησις represents God’s sovereign and purposeful action of setting aside the temporary to establish the eternal – not a rejection of the old, but a fulfillment through something far greater in Christ.