GAL 3:17 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now I say this: The law, having come after 430 years, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God to nullify the promise.

UST This is what I am saying: God established an agreement with Abraham that the laws which he gave to the Jews 430 years later could not cancel.

BLB Now I say this: The Law, having come four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul the covenant having been confirmed beforehand by God, so as to nullify the promise.

AICNT This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God [[in Christ]],[fn] so as to make the promise void.

3:17, in Christ: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

OEB My point is this – An agreement already confirmed by God cannot be canceled by the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, so as to cause the promise to be set aside.

WEBBE Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.

WMBB Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Messiah, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.

NET What I am saying is this: The law that came four hundred thirty years later does not cancel a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to invalidate the promise.

LSV and this I say, a covenant confirmed before by God to Christ, the Law, that came four hundred and thirty years after, does not set aside, to make void the promise,

FBV Let me explain. The law, coming four hundred and thirty years later, doesn't cancel the previous agreement[fn] that God made, breaking the promise.

3:17 Or “covenant.”

TCNT My point is this: The law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul a covenant previously ratified by God [fn]to Christ, so as to invalidate the promise.

3:17 to Christ ¦ — CT

T4T This is what I am saying: Since God gave the laws to the Jews 430 years after he declared to Abraham what he was promising to do for Abraham, those laws do not cancel that agreement with Abraham that God himself had previously agreed about [PRS].

LEB Now I am saying this: the law, that came after four hundred and thirty years, does not revoke a covenant previously ratified by God, in order to nullify the promise.

BBE Now this I say: The law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not put an end to the agreement made before by God, so as to make the undertaking without effect.

Moff My point is this: the Law which arose four hundred and thirty years later does not repeal a will previously ratified by God, so as to cancel the Promise.

Wymth I mean that 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.

ASV Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.

DRA Now this I say, that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years, doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect.

YLT and this I say, A covenant confirmed before by God to Christ, the law, that came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not set aside, to make void the promise,

Drby Now I say this, A covenant confirmed beforehand by [fn]God, the law, which took place four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.

3.17 Elohim

RV Now this I say; A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.
(Now this I say; A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth/does not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect. )

SLT And I say this, the covenant confirmed before by God in Christ, the law, having been after four hundred and thirty years, does not annul, to neglect the promise.

Wbstr And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of no effect.

KJB-1769 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

KJB-1611 And this I say, that the Couenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the Lawe which was foure hundred and thirtie yeres after, cannot disanul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
(And this I say, that the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the Law which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disanul, that it should make the promise of none effect.)

Bshps This I say, that the lawe which began afterwarde, beyonde foure hundred and thirtie yeres, doth not disanull the testament that was confirmed afore of God, vnto Christe warde, to make the promise of none effect.
(This I say, that the law which began afterward, beyond four hundred and thirty years, doth/does not disanull the testament that was confirmed afore of God, unto Christ warde, to make the promise of none effect.)

Gnva And this I say, that the couenant that was confirmed afore of God in respect of Christ, the Lawe which was foure hundreth and thirtie yeeres after, can not disanull, that it shoulde make the promise of none effect.
(And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed afore of God in respect of Christ, the Law which was four hundredth and thirty years after, cannot disanull, that it should make the promise of none effect. )

Cvdl This Testament (I saye) which afore was confirmed to Christ warde, is not disanulled (that the promes shulde be made of none affecte) by the lawe which was geuen beyonde foure hundreth & thirtie yeares therafter.
(This Testament (I say) which afore was confirmed to Christ warde, is not disanulled (that the promes should be made of none affecte) by the law which was given beyond four hundredth and thirty years thereafter.)

TNT This I saye that the lawe which beganne afterwarde beyonde. iiii.C and. xxx. yeares doth not disanull the testament that was confermed afore of God vnto Christ ward to make the promes of none effect.
(This I say that the law which began afterward beyond. iiii.C and. 30 years doth/does not disanull the testament that was confirmed afore of God unto Christ ward to make the promes of none effect. )

Wycl But Y seie, this testament is confermed of God; the lawe that was maad after foure hundrid and thritti yeer, makith not the testament veyn to auoide awei the biheest.
(But I say, this testament is confirmed of God; the law that was made after four hundred and thirty year, maketh/makes not the testament vain to avoide away the biheest.)

Luth Ich sage aber davon: Das Testament, das von GOtt zuvor bestätiget ist auf Christum, wird nicht aufgehoben, daß die Verheißung sollte durchs Gesetz aufhören, welches gegeben ist über vierhundertunddreißig Jahre hernach.
(I said but of_that: The Testament, the from God before confirmed is on/in/to Christum, becomes not lifted, that the promise(n) should through law stop/cease, which given is above four-hundredunddreißig years afterwards.)

ClVg Hoc autem dico, testamentum confirmatum a Deo: quæ post quadringentos et triginta annos facta est lex, non irritum facit ad evacuandam promissionem.[fn]
(This however I_mean/say, testament confirmed from to_God: which after quadringentos and thirty years facts it_is the_law, not/no void/nothingness he_does to evacuandam promise. )

3.17 Hoc autem dico. Hoc promisit Deus Abrahæ, hoc autem testamentum confirmatum per juramenta dico et affirmo, quod lex non facit irritum, de qua non esset hoc putandum: quia data est tantum ad tempus: quia post multum tempus a promissione facta Abrahæ, lex data est: de qua si esset benedictio, homines illius temporis Abraham, Isaac et Jacob non eam habuissent. Lex non facit irritum. Id est, falsum: quod faceret, si per eam daretur benedictio. Promissio enim illa non dixit, quod per legem, sed per semen. Quod si per legem benedictio, ergo frustra semini promisit, et frustra semen ipsum venit. Lex non facit irritum quasi jam valeret ad evacuandam promissionem: quia esset falsa, et Deus mendax.

3.17 This however I_mean/say. This promised God Abrahæ, this however testament confirmed through oaths I_mean/say and affirmo, that the_law not/no he_does void/nothingness, from/about which not/no was this putandum: because data it_is only to time/season: because after a_lot time/season from promisene facts Abrahæ, the_law data it_is: from/about which when/but_if was blessing, people/men of_that time Abraham, Isaac and Yacob not/no her to_have_hadnt. Law not/no he_does void/nothingness. That it_is, false/error: that would_do, when/but_if through her would_be_given blessing. Promissio because that not/no he/she_said, that through the_law, but through seed. That when/but_if through the_law blessing, therefore in_vain seed promised, and in_vain seed him he_came. Law not/no he_does void/nothingness as_if already valeret to evacuandam promise: because was false, and God liar.

UGNT τοῦτο δὲ λέγω: διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὁ μετὰ τετρακόσια καὶ τριάκοντα ἔτη γεγονὼς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ, εἰς τὸ καταργῆσαι τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν.
(touto de legō: diathaʸkaʸn prokekurōmenaʸn hupo tou Theou, ho meta tetrakosia kai triakonta etaʸ gegonōs nomos ouk akuroi, eis to katargaʸsai taʸn epangelian.)

SBL-GNT τοῦτο δὲ λέγω· διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ ⸀θεοῦ ὁ μετὰ ⸂τετρακόσια καὶ τριάκοντα ἔτη⸃ γεγονὼς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ, εἰς τὸ καταργῆσαι τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν.
(touto de legō; diathaʸkaʸn prokekurōmenaʸn hupo tou ⸀theou ho meta ⸂tetrakosia kai triakonta etaʸ⸃ gegonōs nomos ouk akuroi, eis to katargaʸsai taʸn epangelian.)

RP-GNT Τοῦτο δὲ λέγω, διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς χριστὸν ὁ μετὰ ἔτη τετρακόσια καὶ τριάκοντα γεγονὼς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ, εἰς τὸ καταργῆσαι τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν.
(Touto de legō, diathaʸkaʸn prokekurōmenaʸn hupo tou theou eis ⱪriston ho meta etaʸ tetrakosia kai triakonta gegonōs nomos ouk akuroi, eis to katargaʸsai taʸn epangelian.)

TC-GNT Τοῦτο δὲ λέγω, διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ [fn]εἰς Χριστὸν ὁ μετὰ [fn]ἔτη τετρακόσια καὶ τριάκοντα γεγονὼς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ, εἰς τὸ καταργῆσαι τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν.
(Touto de legō, diathaʸkaʸn prokekurōmenaʸn hupo tou Theou eis Ⱪriston ho meta etaʸ tetrakosia kai triakonta gegonōs nomos ouk akuroi, eis to katargaʸsai taʸn epangelian. )

3:17 εις χριστον ¦ — CT

3:17 ετη τετρακοσια και τριακοντα ¦ τετρακοσια και τριακοντα ετη CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:15–25: The law did not cancel God’s promise to Abraham

This section has two parts. In the first part (3:15–18), Paul explained what the law was not intended to do. It was not intended to cancel or replace the blessing that God had promised to give to Abraham.

In the second part (3:19–25), Paul explained what the law was meant to do, how it was given, and how it was limited. It was limited as to what it could accomplish in people’s lives. And it was limited as to the time period during which it would govern God’s people.

Some other examples for a heading for this section are:

The law and the promise

The promise preceded the law

The law does not change the promise

3:17a

What I mean is this:

My point is this: (REB)
Here is the meaning of my example:
Here is what I want you to understand:

In this verse Paul gave his spiritual application of the human example. He said (in 3:15) that a human document could not be changed. In the same way, God’s covenant promises cannot be changed. God established and ratified the covenant long before the law was given. This means that “believing” came before “doing/obeying” the law.

What I mean is this: This clause introduces the thing that Paul wanted to explain to the Galatians when he gave his human example (in 3:15b).

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Here is the meaning of my example

The thing that I want you to understand about God’s promise to Abraham is thi

Here is what I want you to understand

3:17b–d

(reordered) God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it. The Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, cannot break that covenant and cancel God’s promise. (GNT)

Before you translate 3:17b–d, consider what is the most natural order in your language for these clauses. In some languages, it will be natural to change the order. Compare the order of the clause in the BSB and GNT below:

^bThe law that came 430 years later ^cdoes not revoke the covenant previously established by God, ^dso as to nullify the promise. (BSB)

^cGod made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it. ^bThe Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, ^ccannot break that covenant ^dand cancel God’s promise. (GNT)

3:17b

The law that came 430 years later

The law came 430 years after the covenant/promise.
God made a covenant/agreement with Abraham. Then 430 years later he gave the law to Moses.

The law that came 430 years later: This clause means that God gave the law to Moses 430 years after God made his covenant with Abraham. God established the covenant first. Much later he gave the law.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

The law was given to Moses 430 years after God established the covenant with Abraham.

God gave the covenant to Abraham 430 years before he gave the law.

God made his promise with Abraham first. Then, 430 years later, he gave the law of Moses for the people.

3:17c

does not revoke the covenant previously established by God,

The law does not cancel the contract that God had already made
The law does not set aside the agreement that God had already promised.

does not revoke: The Greek word that the BSB translates as revoke is a different word than the word that the BSB translates as “canceled” in 3:15b. But the meaning is very similar. Many English versions translate the two Greek words with the same English word or expression.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

does not cancel/break

cannot set aside

the covenant: This word refers to the agreement/promise that God made with Abraham. This same word occurs in 3:15b. If possible, use the same term here as you did there.

In some languages, it will be necessary to use one word for a human covenant and another word or term for a covenant that God makes. When God made a covenant with Abraham, he did not sign a paper.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

a contract

a promise

the agreement

See covenant in the Glossary.

previously established by God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as established is the same word used in 3:15b. God had ratified or established his covenant with Abraham (before he gave the law). He established it by verbally promising to keep it.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

that God made

and promised to keep it (GNT)

that God sealed

In this verse, you should not translate established with a word that only refers to signing an agreement. God did not literally sign an agreement with Abraham.

3:17d

so as to nullify the promise.

and destroy/break his promise.
The law did not cause God to break his promise.

so as to nullify the promise: The Greek word that the BSB translates as nullify means “cancel,” “destroy,” or “abolish.” The law did not break or cancel God’s promise with Abraham. This implies that the covenant promises are still in effect.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and cancel God’s promise (GNT)

and break the agreement

General Comment on 3:17c–d

The clause “revoke the covenant” in 3:17c is similar to “nullify the promise” in 3:17d. In some languages, both clauses can be translated as one. The one clause is underlined below.

The laws given to Moses 430 years after God had already put his promise to Abraham into effect didn’t cancel the promise to Abraham. (GW)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τοῦτο Δέ λέγω διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπό τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ μετά τετρακοσία καί τριάκοντα ἔτη γεγονώς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ εἰς τό καταργῆσαι τήν ἐπαγγελίαν)

Alternate translation: [And]

Note 1 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

ὁ & νόμος

the & law

See how you translated the phrase “the law” in [2:16](../02/016.md).

Note 2 topic: translate-numbers

τετρακόσια καὶ τριάκοντα ἔτη

Alternate translation: [four hundred and thirty years]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ

˓having_been˒_previously_ratified (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τοῦτο Δέ λέγω διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπό τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ μετά τετρακοσία καί τριάκοντα ἔτη γεγονώς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ εἰς τό καταργῆσαι τήν ἐπαγγελίαν)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [which God established previously]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

εἰς τὸ καταργῆσαι

˱as˲_in_order (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τοῦτο Δέ λέγω διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπό τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ μετά τετρακοσία καί τριάκοντα ἔτη γεγονώς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ εἰς τό καταργῆσαι τήν ἐπαγγελίαν)

Here, the word to introduces what the result would have been if the law had set aside the covenant previously established by God. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a result. Alternate translation: [so as to nullify]

Parallel GAL 3:17

Section 3:15–25: The law did not cancel God’s promise to Abraham

3:17a

3:17b–d

3:17b

3:17c

3:17d

General Comment on 3:17c–d