Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, a certificate served as a formal document or written testimony to authenticate or validate a particular matter. The concept of certificates is seen in various contexts within the Scriptures, often related to legal, religious, or social matters.
Certificate of DivorceOne of the most notable mentions of a certificate in the Bible is the "certificate of divorce." In the Mosaic Law, a certificate of divorce was a legal document that a husband could give to his wife to formally dissolve their marriage. This practice is outlined in
Deuteronomy 24:1-4, where it states: "If a man marries a woman but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house" (
Deuteronomy 24:1). This certificate served as a legal acknowledgment of the dissolution of the marriage, allowing the woman to remarry.
In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce and the certificate associated with it. In
Matthew 19:7-8, the Pharisees question Jesus about the legality of divorce, citing Moses' command to give a certificate of divorce. Jesus responds by highlighting the hardness of human hearts as the reason Moses permitted divorce, but He emphasizes the sanctity and original intent of marriage as a lifelong covenant.
Legal and Religious ContextsCertificates in the biblical context also extend to other legal and religious matters. For instance, in the post-exilic period, the Jewish community was concerned with maintaining the purity of their lineage and religious practices. In
Ezra 10:16-19, the Israelites who had married foreign women were required to provide a certificate of separation to rectify their disobedience to God's commands regarding intermarriage.
Additionally, certificates could serve as proof of authenticity or authority. In the New Testament, letters of commendation or certificates were sometimes used to validate the ministry and authority of apostles and church leaders. The Apostle Paul, for example, refers to such letters in
2 Corinthians 3:1, where he questions the need for letters of recommendation, asserting that the believers themselves are his "letter of recommendation."
Symbolic and Spiritual ImplicationsBeyond their legal and social functions, certificates in the Bible can also carry symbolic and spiritual implications. The concept of a written record or certificate can be seen as a metaphor for God's covenant with His people. In
Colossians 2:14, Paul speaks of the "certificate of debt" that stood against us, which Christ has canceled by nailing it to the cross. This imagery underscores the redemptive work of Christ, who has nullified the legal demands of sin against humanity.
In summary, certificates in the biblical narrative serve as important legal and symbolic instruments, reflecting the cultural, religious, and spiritual dimensions of the ancient world. They illustrate the importance of formal documentation in matters of law, covenant, and personal relationships, while also pointing to deeper theological truths about God's covenantal relationship with His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A written testimony to the truth of any fact; as, certificate of good behavior.
2. (n.) A written declaration legally authenticated.
3. (v. t.) To verify or vouch for by certificate.
4. (v. t.) To furnish with a certificate; as, to certificate the captain of a vessel; a certificated teacher.
Greek
647. apostasion -- a forsaking, spec. (bill of) divorce... Word Origin from aphistemi Definition a forsaking, spec. (bill of) divorce NASB
Word Usage
certificate of divorce (1), divorce (2).
certificate of divorce.
...975. biblion -- a paper, book
... Word Origin from biblos Definition a paper, book NASB Word Usage book (27),
books (4),certificate (2), scroll (1). book, scroll, writing....
5498. cheirographon -- a (handwritten) document, legal note, bond
... Word Origin from cheir and grapho Definition a (handwritten) document, legal note,
bond NASB Word Usagecertificate of debt (1). manuscript, record of debts....
Strong's Hebrew
5612. sepher -- a missive, document, writing, book... Word Origin probably of foreign origin Definition a missive, document, writing,
book NASB Word Usage Book (47), book (79), books (2),
certificate (3), deed (6
...Library
Certificate Laws and Western Land Bills
... THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN CONNECTICUT CHAPTER XIIICERTIFICATE
LAWS AND WESTERN LAND BILLS. And make the bounds of...
The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA
...CERTIFICATE. Action of the General Convention of 1916.... Henry Anstice, Secretary of
the House of Deputies.CERTIFICATE. Action of the General Convention of 1919....
The Organized Sunday School Bible Class
... International Teen AgeCertificate of Recognition=. The International Sunday
School Association, through its Secondary Division, issues...
His Journey to Rome, Venice, Jerusalem, and the Holy Land
... The next morning, filled with new courage, he came to the gate of the city, and
although provided with nocertificate, entered unquestioned by the guard....
His Journey to South Russia.
... to my friends my concern to visit the German colonies in the South of Russia, which,
thou wilt probably recollect, was included in mycertificate for religious...
"Simply Murdered"
... In some cases a medicalcertificate is demanded, and the girl's fate turns on that;
if we can get one for over sixteen we are safe from prosecution in the...
Epistle xiii. To the Clergy, Concerning those who are in Haste to...
... by me to you, I think I have sufficiently written on this subject in the last letter
that was sent to you, that they who have received acertificate from the...
Epistle xxvi. Cyprian to the Lapsed.
... I beg that you will discriminate between your wishes; and whoever you are who have
sent this letter, add your names to thecertificate, and transmit the...
Epistle x. To the Martyrs and Confessors who Sought that Peace...
... thirty or more, may be presented to us, who may be asserted to be neighbours and
connections, and freedmen and servants, of the man who receives thecertificate...
The Great Schism
... to settle any disputes beyond its own territory.[106] These laws also permitted
any parish minister to lodge with the society clerk acertificate charging that...
Thesaurus
Certificate (8 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) A written testimony to the truth of any fact; as,
certificate of
good behavior.
... 3. (vt) To verify or vouch for by
certificate.
...Return (499 Occurrences)
... 14. (vt) To bring or send back to a tribunal, or to an office, with a
certificate of what has been done; as, to return a writ. 15....
Scrip (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A small bag; a wallet; a satchel. 2. (n.) A small
writing,certificate, or schedule; a piece of paper containing a writing....
Money (284 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any written or stamped promise,certificate, or order, as a government note,
a bank note, acertificate of deposit, etc., which is payable in standard...
Certainty (23 Occurrences)
Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... The two words, literally rendered, signify a document or book of cutting off, ie
acertificate of divorce given by a husband to a wife, so as to afford her the...
Written (323 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Mark 10:4 They said, "Moses allowed acertificate of divorce
to be written, and to divorce her." (WEB WEY). Mark 11:17...
Register (14 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Acertificate issued by the collector of customs of a port or district to
the owner of a vessel, containing the description of a vessel, its name...
Check (9 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A mark,certificate, or token, by which, errors may be prevented, or a thing
or person may be identified; as, checks placed against items in an account...
Certified (3 Occurrences)
Resources
What does Deuteronomy 24 teach about divorce? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I show appreciation to my pastor? | GotQuestions.orgDid God divorce Israel? | GotQuestions.orgCertificate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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