Topical Encyclopedia
The term "attest" in a biblical context refers to the act of bearing witness, providing evidence, or affirming the truth of a matter. This concept is integral to the biblical narrative, where God, His prophets, and His people are often called to attest to His truth, promises, and commandments.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Divine Testimony: Throughout Scripture, God Himself attests to His own nature, promises, and actions. In
Isaiah 43:10, God declares, "You are My witnesses," affirming that His people are to attest to His sovereignty and uniqueness as the only true God. This divine attestation is foundational to understanding God's relationship with His people and His authority over creation.
2.
Prophetic Witness: The prophets in the Old Testament frequently attest to the words and will of God. They serve as God's mouthpieces, delivering messages that often call for repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. For example, in
Jeremiah 42:5, the people say to the prophet, "May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to every word the LORD your God sends you to tell us."
3.
Apostolic Testimony: In the New Testament, the apostles are called to attest to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:8 records Jesus' command to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This attestation is central to the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the early Church.
4.
Legal and Covenantal Contexts: The concept of attestation is also present in legal and covenantal contexts within the Bible. In
Deuteronomy 31:26, Moses instructs the Levites to place the Book of the Law beside the Ark of the Covenant as a witness against the people, attesting to the terms of the covenant between God and Israel.
5.
Personal Testimony: Believers are called to attest to their faith through their words and actions. In
1 Peter 3:15, Christians are encouraged to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." This personal attestation is a vital aspect of Christian witness and evangelism.
Theological SignificanceThe act of attesting in the Bible underscores the importance of truth and faithfulness. It highlights the responsibility of God's people to bear witness to His character and works. Attestation serves as a means of affirming the reliability of God's promises and the authenticity of His revelation. It also emphasizes the communal and individual responsibility to uphold and proclaim the truth of the Gospel.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not use the term "attest" frequently, the concept is woven throughout its narrative, emphasizing the importance of witness and testimony in the life of faith. Whether through divine self-revelation, prophetic proclamation, apostolic witness, or personal testimony, attestation remains a crucial element of the biblical message.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To bear witness to; to certify; to affirm to be genuine; as, to attest the truth of a writing.
2. (v. t.) To give proof of; to manifest; as, the ruins of Palmyra attest its ancient magnificence.
3. (v. t.) To call to witness; to invoke.
4. (n.) Witness; testimony; attestation.
Greek
4972. sphragizo -- to seal... sphragis; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation
(literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to
attest -- (set a
...1957. epimartureo -- to bear witness to
... testify. From epi and martureo; toattest further, ie Corroborate -- testify. see
GREEK epi. see GREEK martureo. (epimarturon) -- 1 Occurrence. 1956, 1957....
1263. diamarturomai -- to affirm solemnly
... charge, testify unto, witness. From dia and martureo; toattest or protest earnestly,
or (by implication) hortatively -- charge, testify (unto), witness....
Library
All Portions of CreationAttest the Excellence of the Creator...
... Chapter XIV."All Portions of CreationAttest the Excellence of the Creator,
Whom Marcion Vilifies His Inconsistency Herein Exposed....
New Testament Passages Quoted theyAttest the Same Truth of the...
... Chapter XV."New Testament Passages Quoted TheyAttest the Same Truth of the
Son's Visibility Contrasted with the Father's Invisibility....
Sundry Passages of St. Paul whichAttest Our Doctrine Rescued from...
... Chapter XL."Sundry Passages of St. Paul WhichAttest Our Doctrine Rescued
from the Perversions of Heresy. Now it is no matter...
Prophetic Things and Actions, as Well as Words,Attest this Great...
... Chapter XXVIII."Prophetic Things and Actions, as Well as Words,Attest
This Great Doctrine. But we know that prophecy expressed...
Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
... be ignorant of the fact. Afterwards they know it, andattest the verity
of the prediction. The descriptions afforded in prophecy...
The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA
...Attest: George Francis Nelson, Secretary of the House of Bishops....Attest:
George Francis Nelson, Secretary of the House of Bishops....
Of Baptism.
... Its primary object. This consists of three things.1. Toattest the forgiveness of
sins. 2. Passages of Scripture proving the forgiveness of sins....
How Joppa was Taken, and Tiberias Delivered Up.
... deep precipices, and great stones that jut out into the sea, and where the chains
wherewith Andromeda was bound have left their footsteps, whichattest to the...
On the Resurrection of the Flesh
... Chapter XXVIII.--Prophetic Things and Actions, as Well as Words,Attest This Great
Doctrine. Chapter XXIX.--Ezekiel's Vision of the Dry Bones Quoted....
You Observe How New and Terrible a Form of Oath this is which He...
... All canattest what I say in reference to this treatise of his; and my assertion
about it seems to be superfluous; but I must make use of some special testimony...
Thesaurus
Attest (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To bear witness to; to certify; to affirm to be
genuine; as, to
attest the truth of a writing.
...Attest (1 Occurrence).
...Sign (181 Occurrences)
... known. In Scripture used generally of an address to the senses toattest
the existence of supersensible and therefore divine power....
Vouch (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To call; to summon. 2. (vt) To call upon to witness. 3. (vt) To warrant;
to maintain by affirmations; toattest; to affirm; to avouch....
Ostraca
... 17. The texts are in 3 different hands, andattest the interest of the poor
in the gospel in the century of the Arab conquest. Another...
Witness (295 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To see or know by personal presence; to have direct cognizance of.
7. (vt) To give testimony to; to testify to; toattest....
Testimony (175 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Hence, the whole divine revelation; the sacred Scriptures. 7. (vt) To witness;
toattest; to prove by testimony. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Tadmor (2 Occurrences)
... colonnades of white marble, many of which are yet standing, and thousands of prostrate
pillars, scattered over a large extent of space,attest the ancient...
Estimate (6 Occurrences)
... But I forbear, lest any one should be led to estimate me more highly than what his
own eyesattest, or more highly than what he hears from my lips. (WEY)....
Decapolis (3 Occurrences)
... The ruins still seen at Gadara, but especially at Kanawat (see KENATH) and Jerash,
of temples, theaters and other public buildings,attest the splendor of...
Drawer (1 Occurrence)
... down to the fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up." The deep grooves in
their curbs, worn by the ropes as the water was being raised,attest to the...
Resources
Who was John Calvin? | GotQuestions.orgHow can Christian parents deal with empty-nest syndrome? | GotQuestions.orgShia and Sunni Islam - what are the differences? | GotQuestions.orgAttest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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