In the biblical context, the concept of "promising" is deeply intertwined with the nature of God, His covenants, and the faithfulness expected of His people. Promises in the Bible are not merely human commitments but are often divine assurances that reflect God's unchanging character and His plan for humanity.

Divine Promises:

The Bible is replete with instances where God makes promises to His people, which are foundational to the narrative of Scripture. One of the earliest and most significant promises is found in Genesis 12:2-3, where God promises Abram, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This promise sets the stage for the Abrahamic Covenant, a pivotal moment in biblical history.

God's promises are characterized by their reliability and faithfulness. Numbers 23:19 states, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" This verse underscores the trustworthiness of God's word, contrasting divine promises with human fallibility.

Covenantal Promises:

Throughout the Old Testament, God establishes covenants with His people, each containing specific promises. The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:11) promises that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) promises that David's throne will be established forever, a promise ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

The New Covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and fulfilled in the New Testament, promises a new relationship between God and His people, characterized by the internalization of God's law and the forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 8:6 highlights this, stating, "But now Jesus has received a more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises."

Human Promises:

While divine promises are central, the Bible also addresses the nature of human promises. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 advises, "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it." This passage emphasizes the seriousness with which promises, especially those made to God, should be regarded.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the integrity of one's word in Matthew 5:37: "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one." This instruction calls for honesty and straightforwardness in communication, reflecting the faithfulness expected of believers.

Promises and Faith:

The relationship between promises and faith is a recurring theme in Scripture. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter," recounts the accounts of individuals who trusted in God's promises despite not seeing their fulfillment in their lifetimes. Hebrews 11:13 states, "All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar."

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 4:20-21, highlights Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promises: "Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised."

Eschatological Promises:

The Bible concludes with eschatological promises, offering hope for the future. Revelation 21:4 promises a time when "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." These promises provide assurance of God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.

In summary, the theme of promising in the Bible encompasses God's faithful commitments to His people, the seriousness of human vows, and the call to live by faith in the assurance of God's word.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Promise.

2. (a.) Making a promise or promises; affording hope or assurance; as, promising person; a promising day.

4279. proepaggello -- to announce before
... 4279 (from 4253 , "before" and 1861 , "to promise") -- properly, promised (in advance);
use of the Lord promising ("God's good news") to people (Ro 1:2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4279.htm - 7k

1861. epaggellomai -- to proclaim, to promise
... to proclaim, to promise NASB Word Usage made (1), made the promise (1), making a
claim (1), professed (1), promise had been made (1), promised (9), promising (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1861.htm - 7k

1696. dabar -- to speak
... 1), directed (2), discuss (1), made (1), meant (1), named (1), passed sentence
(3), preached (1), proclaimed (2), promised (34), promising (1), pronounce (3 ...
/hebrew/1696.htm - 6k

A Calm Evening, Promising a Bright Morning
... GENESIS A CALM EVENING, PROMISING A BRIGHT MORNING. 'And Joseph returned
into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a calm evening promising a.htm

That the Deceitful Demons, While Promising to Conduct Men to God ...
... Book IX. Chapter 18."That the Deceitful Demons, While Promising to Conduct Men to
God by Their Intercession, Mean to Turn Them from the Path of Truth. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 18 that the deceitful demons.htm

Concerning the Philosophers who Think that the Separation of Soul ...
... 16."Concerning the Philosophers Who Think that the Separation of Soul and Body is
Not Penal, Though Plato Represents the Supreme Deity as Promising to the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 16 concerning the philosophers who.htm

Of the Infirmity of the Flesh, and Similar Pleas.
... has, as its causes, glory, cupidity, ambition, want of sufficiency; through which
causes it trumps up the "necessity" for marrying,"promising itself, forsooth ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iv of the infirmity of.htm

Ezekiel xiii. 22
... of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the
wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xx ezekiel xiii 22.htm

What is Your Word Worth?
... The person does not stop to consider what he really is promising; he does not weigh
its meaning. ... Do not make rash promises. Consider what you are promising. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifteen what is your.htm

Preface.
... 4. For as the serpent beguiled Eve, by promising her what he had not himself, [3802]
so also do these men, by pretending [to possess] superior knowledge, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/preface 4.htm

Psalm LXXIV.
... serve God. The Sacraments are not the same, for some Sacraments there are
giving Salvation, others promising a Saviour. The Sacraments ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiv.htm

Manich??us Promises the Knowledge of Undoubted Things, and Then ...
... Instead, therefore, of promising knowledge, or clear evidence, or the settlement
of the question free from all uncertainty, Manich??us ought to have said that ...
/.../chapter 14 name promises the.htm

God is the one Object of Love; Therefore He is Man's Chief Good. ...
... and pursuit. No one separates us from this in promising life; for no one
separates us from the fountain in promising water. Angels ...
/.../chapter 11 name is the.htm

Promising (5 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Promise. 2. (a.) Making a promise or promises; affording hope or assurance;
as, promising person; a promising day. ...Promising (5 Occurrences). ...
/p/promising.htm - 8k

Promote (21 Occurrences)

/p/promote.htm - 12k

Promises (35 Occurrences)

/p/promises.htm - 16k

Note (129 Occurrences)
... 12. (n.) A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment;
as, a promissory note; a note of hand; a negotiable note. 13. ...
/n/note.htm - 37k

Overcomes (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:19 promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of
corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him. ...
/o/overcomes.htm - 13k

Likely (4 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Having such qualities as make success probable; well adapted to the
place; promising; as, a likely young man; a likely servant. ...
/l/likely.htm - 8k

Thief (41 Occurrences)
... coming of the Kingdom. And Christ replied by promising more than was
asked-immediate admission into Paradise. It should be noted ...
/t/thief.htm - 22k

Enslaved (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:19 promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of
corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him. ...
/e/enslaved.htm - 12k

Earnest (33 Occurrences)
... In other words, the one promising to convey property, wages or blessing binds the
promise with an advance gift or pledge partaking of the quality of the ...
/e/earnest.htm - 20k

Depravity (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:19 promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of
corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him. ...
/d/depravity.htm - 7k

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