Luke 1:72

Authorized King James Version

To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ποιῆσαι
To perform
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#2
ἔλεος
the mercy
compassion (human or divine, especially active)
#3
μετὰ
promised to
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#4
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
πατέρων
fathers
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#6
ἡμῶν
our
of (or from) us
#7
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
μνησθῆναι
to remember
to bear in mind, i.e., recollect; by implication, to reward or punish
#9
διαθήκης
covenant
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
#10
ἁγίας
G40
holy
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
#11
αὐτοῦ
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show treaty language and adoption practices from the ancient world, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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