The term "annul" refers to the act of declaring something invalid or void, effectively canceling its force or effect. In a biblical context, this concept is often associated with covenants, laws, or decrees that are rendered ineffective or voided by a higher authority or through fulfillment.

Biblical Usage

1. Covenants and Promises: The Bible frequently discusses the idea of covenants, which are solemn agreements between God and His people. The concept of annulling a covenant is significant, as it implies a breach or a divine intervention that renders the covenant void. In Galatians 3:17 , the Apostle Paul speaks of the Law given to Moses not annulling the covenant previously established by God with Abraham: "What I mean is this: The Law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to cancel the promise."

2. Divine Authority: The authority of God to annul human plans or decrees is a recurring theme in Scripture. In Isaiah 14:27 , it is stated, "For the LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" This passage underscores the sovereignty of God, whose purposes cannot be annulled by human intervention.

3. Human Limitations: The limitations of human authority in annulling divine decrees are evident in the biblical narrative. In Job 40:8 , God challenges Job, saying, "Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?" This rhetorical question highlights the futility of attempting to nullify God's righteous judgments.

4. Fulfillment of the Law: The New Testament presents the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law through Jesus Christ, which some interpret as an annulment of the old covenant in favor of the new. Hebrews 7:18-19 states, "So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the Law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." Here, the "setting aside" of the former commandment can be seen as an annulment due to its fulfillment and the introduction of a superior covenant through Christ.

Theological Implications

The concept of annulling is deeply intertwined with the themes of divine sovereignty, covenantal faithfulness, and the transformative work of Christ. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority over human affairs and His ability to fulfill His promises despite human failure. The annulment of the old covenant through the establishment of the new covenant in Christ is a cornerstone of Christian theology, emphasizing the transition from the Law to grace and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Application

For believers, understanding the concept of annulment in the Bible encourages a reliance on God's unchanging promises and His sovereign will. It calls for a recognition of the limitations of human authority and the assurance that God's purposes will prevail. This understanding fosters a deeper trust in God's plan and a commitment to living in accordance with His revealed will through Scripture.1. (v.) To reduce to nothing; to obliterate.

2. (v.) To make void or of no effect; to nullify; to abolish; to do away with; -- used appropriately of laws, decrees, edicts, decisions of courts, or other established rules, permanent usages, and the like, which are made void by component authority.

ANNUL; DISANNUL

a-nul', dis-a-nul': God, as the Supreme Ruler, can disannul His covenant for cause (Isaiah 28:18); man, through willfulness and transgression, as party of the second part, may break the contract and thus release Yahweh, as party of the first part (Job 40:8 Isaiah 14:27), though there are some purposes and laws which the Almighty will carry out in spite of ungodly rage and ravings (Galatians 3:15 the King James Version); or an old law or covenant might be conceived as disannulled by a new one (Galatians 3:17), or because of its becoming obsolete and ineffective (Hebrews 7:18). For the first idea, the Hebrew employs kaphar = "to cover," "to expiate," "condone," "placate," "cancel," "cleanse," "disannul," "purge," "put off" (Isaiah 28:18); and the Greek (Galatians 3:15), atheteo = "to set aside," "disesteem," "neutralize," "violate," "frustrate." One covenant disannulling another by "conflict of laws" is expressed by akuroo, "to invalidate," "disannul," "make of no effect." Atheteo is employed to express also the disannulling through age and disuse (Hebrews 7:18).

Frank E. Hirsch

114. atheteo -- to do away with what has been laid down, set aside
... with what has been laid down, set aside. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: atheteo
Phonetic Spelling: (ath-et-eh'-o) Short Definition: I annul Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/114.htm - 8k

208. akuroo -- to revoke
... to revoke. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: akuroo Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-oo-ro'-o) Short Definition: I annul, make of no effect, cancel Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/208.htm - 6k

3089. luo -- to loose, to release, to dissolve
... I loose, untie, release, destroy Definition: (a) I loose, untie, release, (b) met:
I break, destroy, set at naught, contravene; I break up a meeting, annul. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3089.htm - 9k

2673. katargeo -- to render inoperative, abolish
... Spelling: (kat-arg-eh'-o) Short Definition: I bring to naught, sever, abolish
Definition: (a) I make idle (inactive), make of no effect, annul, abolish, bring ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2673.htm - 9k

6565a. parar -- to break, frustrate
... root Definition to break, frustrate NASB Word Usage annul (4), annulled (1), break
(12), breaking (3), broke (4), broken (7), cease (1), do away (1), fail (1 ...
/hebrew/6565a.htm - 5k

That Man's Transgression did not Annul the Blessing of Fecundity ...
... Chapter 21."That Man's Transgression Did Not Annul the Blessing of Fecundity Pronounced
Upon Man Before He Sinned But Infected It with the Disease of Lust. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 that mans transgression did.htm

Whether it is Fitting that Impediments Should be Assigned to ...
... Therefore there cannot be any impediments which annul a marriage already contracted. ...
All these forbid marriage, and annul it though. contracted.". ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is fitting that 7.htm

Of the Marriage of Priests.
... For no man's law, no vow, can annul the commandment and ordinance of God. For these
reasons the priests teach that it is lawful for them to marry wives. ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxiii of the marriage.htm

Article xxii (X): of Both Kinds in the Lord's Supper.
... testament? But if it is not allowable to annul man's testament, much less
will it be allowable to annul the testament of Christ. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 27 article xxii x .htm

Sanctification is a Mystery.
... was kindled by him. That Satan is hopelessly lost and condemned, does not
annul God's eternal right. Even Satan himself, according ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii sanctification is a mystery.htm

Of Monastic Vows.
... they teach on our part that it is lawful for all men who are not fitted for single
life to contract matrimony, because vows cannot annul the ordinance and ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxvii of monastic vows.htm

I Would Add, Moreover, that they Themselves...
... For in the times, too, of the prophets, the kings who, in dealing with the people
of God, did not prohibit nor annul the ordinances which were issued contrary ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 2 6 i.htm

Whether the Validity of a Sacrament Requires a Good Intention in ...
... the minister. But the wickedness of the minister does not annul the sacrament:
neither, therefore, does his perverse intention. I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the validity of a.htm

Whether it is Right to Reckon Error as an Impediment to Marriage?
... Therefore error does not annul matrimony. ... Therefore error does not annul a marriage.
On the contrary, It is said in the Digests (Si per errorem, ff. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is right to 3.htm

Whether the Order Should be Divided into those that are Sacred and ...
... On the contrary, The sacred Orders are an impediment to the contracting of
marriage and annul the marriage that is already contracted. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the order should be.htm

Annul (10 Occurrences)
... authority. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANNUL; DISANNUL. a ... 18). Frank E.
Hirsch. Multi-Version Concordance Annul (10 Occurrences). 1 ...
/a/annul.htm - 11k

Disannul (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To annul completely; to render void or of no
effect. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANNUL; DISANNUL. ...
/d/disannul.htm - 9k

Annulled (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Annul. Multi-Version Concordance
Annulled (12 Occurrences). John 10:35 If those to whom ...
/a/annulled.htm - 10k

Void (64 Occurrences)
... 10. (v.) To render void; to make to be of no validity or effect; to vacate; to annul;
to nullify. 11. ... (See RSV). Job 40:8 Wilt thou even annul my judgment? ...
/v/void.htm - 26k

Annually (6 Occurrences)

/a/annually.htm - 8k

Effect (173 Occurrences)
... Testament, "make of none effect" occurs repeatedly: as the translation of Greek
akuroo, "render void" (Matthew 15:6 Mark 7:13); of katargeo, "annul" (Romans 3 ...
/e/effect.htm - 40k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... chattels of the parents seems to be attested from the fact that they could be seized
for the debts of the father (2 Kings 4:1). The father could annul the vows ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

430 (3 Occurrences)
... A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred
thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. ...
/num/430.htm - 7k

Nullify (8 Occurrences)
... the Covenant which God had already formally made is not abrogated by the Law which
was given four hundred and thirty years later--so as to annul the promise. ...
/n/nullify.htm - 8k

Null (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Something that has no force or meaning. 3. (n.) That which has no value;
a cipher; zero. 4. (vt) To annul. 5. (n.) One of the beads in nulled work. ...
/n/null.htm - 7k

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