Contracts: Written Instrument
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In biblical times, the concept of contracts and written agreements was an essential part of societal and economic interactions. While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "contract" as understood in modern legal contexts, it provides numerous examples of covenants, agreements, and written instruments that function similarly to contemporary contracts.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances where written agreements were used to formalize commitments and transactions. One of the earliest examples is found in the covenant between God and Abraham. Although this covenant was divine and not a human contract, it set a precedent for formal agreements. Genesis 17:9-11 states, "God also said to Abraham, 'As for you, you must keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.'"

In the realm of human interactions, the Book of Jeremiah provides an example of a written contract in the context of land transactions. Jeremiah 32:10-12 describes the prophet purchasing a field: "I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy—and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, while there are fewer explicit references to written contracts, the principles of honesty, integrity, and fulfilling one's commitments are emphasized. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:37 underscores the importance of truthfulness in agreements: "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one."

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of agreements in his epistles. In Galatians 3:15 , he uses the analogy of a human covenant to explain the permanence of God's promises: "Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended."

Covenants as Divine Contracts

Throughout the Bible, covenants are a central theme, often seen as divine contracts between God and humanity. These covenants, such as those with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, are characterized by promises and obligations. The New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, is described in Hebrews 8:10 : "This is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people."

Legal and Ethical Implications

The biblical perspective on contracts emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and integrity. Leviticus 19:11 commands, "You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another." This principle is foundational for any contractual relationship, highlighting the expectation that parties will honor their commitments.

In summary, while the Bible does not provide a detailed legal framework for contracts as understood today, it offers a rich tapestry of examples and principles that underscore the importance of written agreements, honesty, and the fulfillment of promises in both divine and human contexts.
Nave's Topical Index
Jeremiah 32:10-15
And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Boehme's Universe
... underlies everything which Boehme has written, namely, that ... God uses such "a mean
instrument," he regrets ... definite aim so that consciousness contracts from its ...
/.../chapter x boehmes universe.htm

Continuation: with Texts from Scripture.
... Dissolve the knots of oppressive contracts. ... Innumerable commands such as these are
written in the holy ... Let us celebrate on a stringed instrument." Whether it ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xii continuation with texts from.htm

Disestablishment
... remedies for enforcing the voluntary contracts for their ... Swift admitted the lack
of "a written constitution." He ... Considered merely as an instrument denning the ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1792 to the Close of ...
... "I have written largely to ... breach of promises, and irreligious habits of making
contracts, even without ... his example and labors, and he was an instrument in the ...
/.../chapter 1 from the close.htm

Chapter xxxi
... in colouring as the new contracts made necessary. ... Yet this is not written to glorify
trickery. ... and harp" (kinnor, perhaps originally an instrument more like a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... grammatical tablets, and dictionaries"Their contracts, and their ... The instrument,
in early times, terminated in a fine ... of it with closely written lines, which ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... They drew their inspirations from the books of magic written by Thot, which ... imbued
with life at their command, and became an irresistible instrument of their ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Augustin's Part in the Controversy.
... is sin: Augustin teaches that it is holy and good, and God's instrument in salvation ...
covenants is that in the Old, the law is an external thing written on stones ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/iii augustins part in the.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... 4. Slaves can make no contracts and have no legal ... Lord to do after all that was written
in the ... yes, weak and trembling woman was the instrument appointed by God ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... purpose, it appeared to us indispensably necessary that a letter should be written
also to ... of us, that God might create us by Him as by an instrument; and He ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Resources
What is the difference between a covenant and a contract? | GotQuestions.org

What was betrothal in biblical times? | GotQuestions.org

What is deontological ethics / deontology? | GotQuestions.org

Contract: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Contract

Contracts

Contracts by Consummating in the Presence of the Public at the Gate of the City

Contracts by Erecting a Heap of Stones

Contracts by Joining Hands

Contracts by Oaths

Contracts by Taking off the Shoe

Contracts for Cattle

Contracts with Salt

Contracts: Between Abraham and Abimelech, Concerning Wells of Water

Contracts: Between Solomon and Hiram

Contracts: Dissolved by Blotting Out

Contracts: Dissolved by Mutual Consent

Contracts: First Contract Between Laban and Jacob for Laban's Daughter

Contracts: Modes of Ratifying by Giving Presents

Contracts: Scriptures Illustrative of the Binding Force of

Contracts: Second Contract

Contracts: Violated

Contracts: Written Instrument

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Contracts: Violated
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