promise, promised

Definition

When used as a verb, the term “promise” refers to the action of a person saying that he will do something in such way that he obligates himself to fulfill what he has said. When used as a noun, the term “promise” refers to the thing that a person obligates himself to do.

• The Bible records many promises that God has made for his people.
• Promises are an important part of formal agreements such as covenants.

Translation Suggestions

• The term “promise” could be translated as “commitment” or “assurance” or “guarantee.”
• To “promise to do something” could be translated as “assure someone that you will do something” or “commit to doing something.”

(See also: covenant, oath, vow)

Bible References

• Galatians 3:15-16
• Genesis 25:31-34
• Hebrews 11:9
• James 1:12
• Numbers 30:2

Examples from the Bible stories

• __3:15 God said, “I promise__ I will never again curse the ground because of the evil things people do, or destroy the world by causing a flood, even though people are sinful from the time they are children.”Â�
• __3:16 God then made the first rainbow as a sign of his promise. Every time the rainbow appeared in the sky, God would remember what he promised__ and so would his people.
• __4:8 God spoke to Abram and promised again that he would have a son and as many descendants as the stars in the sky. Abram believed God’s promise__.
• __5:4 “Your wife, Sarai, will have a son—he will be the son of promise__.”
• __8:15 The covenant promises__ that God gave to Abraham were passed on to Isaac, then to Jacob, and then to Jacob’s twelve sons and their families.
• __17:14 Though David had been unfaithful to God, God was still faithful to his promises__.
• __50:1 Jesus promised he would return at the end of the world. Though he has not yet come back, he will keep his promise__.

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0559, H0562, H1696, H8569, G18430, G18600, G18610, G18620, G36700, G42790