Corban
Summary
A Hebrew word meaning 'offering' or 'gift dedicated to God.' Jesus condemned the Pharisaic practice of using Corban declarations to avoid supporting aged parents, showing how tradition could nullify God's commandments.
☩Definition and Use
Corban (Hebrew qorban) means 'an offering' or 'a gift' brought near to God, designating anything dedicated to God whether bloody or bloodless sacrifice. The word appears frequently in Leviticus and Numbers but occurs only once in the New Testament (Mark 7:11), where it is explained by the Greek word 'gift' (doron). In later Jewish usage, Corban became a formula for dedicating property or services to the temple.
☩The Pharisaic Abuse
The Pharisees taught that once a person declared something 'Corban,' it was devoted to God and could not be used for any other purpose—even supporting one's parents. This declaration could be made rashly, even in anger, yet was held to be irrevocable. Remarkably, the property did not actually have to be given to the temple; the person could keep it for himself while refusing to help his parents under the pretense of religious obligation.
☩Jesus' Condemnation
Jesus sharply rebuked this practice: 'Ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition' (Mark 7:9). The fifth commandment clearly required honor to father and mother, yet Corban declarations allowed children to evade this moral duty under religious cover. Jesus called such practices 'making the word of God of none effect through your tradition' (Mark 7:13).
☩The Principle Established
Christ's teaching established that moral duties to parents take precedence over ceremonial obligations and religious vows. A vow that violated God's moral law was not binding but sinful. This principle was later acknowledged by some rabbis, including Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrkanos (c. A.D. 90), who taught that rash vows infringing on parental obligations should be retracted. Jesus disclosed the 'spirit' that places ethics above ceremony.
Related Verses1 mention
Mark· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Corban," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Corban," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Corban," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).