Definition and Etymology:
The term "Corban" is derived from the Hebrew word "קָרְבָּן" (qorbān), which means "offering" or "gift dedicated to God." In the context of Jewish religious practices, it refers to something that is devoted to God, often implying that it is set apart and cannot be used for any other purpose.

Biblical References:
The concept of Corban is most notably mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Mark. In Mark 7:11-13 , Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes, saying: "But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Cultural and Religious Context:
In Jewish tradition, declaring something as Corban meant that it was dedicated to God and thus withdrawn from ordinary use. This could include money, property, or other resources. The practice was rooted in the desire to honor God with one's possessions, reflecting a commitment to prioritize spiritual obligations over material ones.

Jesus' Critique:
Jesus' reference to Corban in Mark 7 highlights a critical issue with how the tradition was being applied. The religious leaders of the time allowed individuals to declare their resources as Corban, thereby exempting them from using those resources to support their parents or fulfill familial obligations. Jesus criticized this practice as a distortion of God's commandments, particularly the commandment to "Honor your father and mother" (Exodus 20:12). By prioritizing human traditions over divine commandments, the religious leaders were, according to Jesus, undermining the true intent of God's law.

Theological Implications:
The discussion of Corban in the New Testament serves as a broader critique of legalism and the potential for religious traditions to overshadow the core ethical teachings of Scripture. Jesus' teaching emphasizes the importance of genuine obedience to God's commandments, which includes caring for one's family and fulfilling moral responsibilities. The misuse of Corban as a loophole to avoid such responsibilities is presented as an example of how human traditions can sometimes conflict with divine intentions.

Historical Usage:
Historically, the practice of declaring something as Corban was part of the broader system of offerings and sacrifices in Jewish religious life. It was a way for individuals to express devotion and gratitude to God. However, as seen in the New Testament critique, the practice could be manipulated, leading to ethical and spiritual concerns.

Conclusion:
The concept of Corban, while rooted in a sincere desire to honor God, serves as a cautionary example of how religious practices can be misused. It underscores the need for discernment in ensuring that traditions align with the fundamental principles of love, justice, and mercy as taught in Scripture.Corban

an offering to God of any sort, bloody or bloodless, but particularly in fulfillment of a vow. The law laid down rules for vows, (1) affirmative; (2) negative. (Leviticus 27:1; Numbers 30:1) ... Upon these rules the traditionists enlarged, and laid down that a man might interdict himself by vow, not only from using for himself, bur from giving to another or receiving from him, some particular object, whether of food or any other kind whatsoever. The thing thus interdicted was considered as corban . A person might thus exempt himself from any inconvenient obligation under plea of corban. It was practices of this sort that our Lord reprehended, (Matthew 15:5; Mark 7:11) as annulling the spirit of the law.

Corban

A sacred gift, a present devoted to God, or to his temple, Matthew 23:18. Our Savior reproaches the Jews with cruelty towards their parents, in making a corbon of what should have been appropriated to their use. The son would say to his needy parents, "It is a gift- whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me," that is, I have already devoted to God that which you request of me, Mark 7:11; and the traditionary teachings of the Jewish doctors would enforce such a vow, and not suffer him to do aught for his parents against it, although it was contrary to nature and reason, and made void the law of God as to honoring parents, Matthew 15:3-9. The Pharisees, and the Talmudists their successors, permitted even debtors to defraud their creditors by consecrating their debt to God; as if the property were their own, and not rather the right of their creditor.

A Hebrew word adopted into the Greek of the New Testament and left untranslated. It occurs only once (Mark 7:11). It means a gift or offering consecrated to God. Anything over which this word was once pronounced was irrevocably dedicated to the temple. Land, however, so dedicated might be redeemed before the year of jubilee (Leviticus 27:16-24). Our Lord condemns the Pharisees for their false doctrine, inasmuch as by their traditions they had destroyed the commandment which requires children to honour their father and mother, teaching them to find excuse from helping their parents by the device of pronouncing "Corban" over their goods, thus reserving them to their own selfish use. 1. (n.) An offering of any kind, devoted to God and therefore not to be appropriated to any other use; esp., an offering in fulfillment of a vow.

2. (n.) An alms basket; a vessel to receive gifts of charity; a treasury of the church, where offerings are deposited.

CORBAN

kor'-ban (qorban; doron; translated "a gift," "a sacrificial offering," literally, "that which is brought near," namely, to the altar): An expression frequently used in the original text of the Old Testament; in the English Bible it occurs in Mark 7:11; compare also Matthew 15:5. It is the most general term for a sacrifice of any kind. In the course of time it became associated with an objectionable practice. Anything dedicated to the temple by pronouncing the votive word "Corban" forthwith belonged to the temple, but only ideally; actually it might remain in the possession of him who made the vow. So a son might be justified in not supporting his old parents simply because he designated his property or a part of it as a gift to the temple, that is, as "Corban" There was no necessity of fulfilling his vow, yet he was actually prohibited from ever using his property for the support of his parents. This shows clearly why Christ singled out this queer regulation in order to demonstrate the sophistry of tradition and to bring out the fact of its possible and actual hostility to the Scripture and its spirit.

William Baur

2878a. korban -- an offering
... an offering. Transliteration: korban Short Definition: Corban. Word Origin of Hebrew
origin qorban Definition an offering NASB Word Usage Corban (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2878a.htm - 5k

2878. korban -- an offering
... duty to God to care for aged parents (etc.). gift to God, corban, treasury.
Korbanas (kor-ban-as') of Hebrew and Chaldee origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2878.htm - 6k

Explanation of "Corban. "
... Book XI. 9. Explanation of "Corban.". Jesus, however, does not accuse them
with reference to a tradition of the Jewish elders, but ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/9 explanation of corban.htm

The Traditions of the Elders in Collision with Divine Law.
... For, granted that he does not honour his father and mother, who consecrates to what
is called Corban that which would have been given in honour of father and ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/10 the traditions of the.htm

The Gates and Doors on the North Side.
... Thence was the 'gate of offering,' or of 'Corban': this was also called 'the gate
of the women.' The reason rendered of the former name is, "that by this gate ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 32 the gates and.htm

Tradition
... and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: but
ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 42 tradition.htm

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew
... 8. Concerning the Pharisees and Scribes Who Came and Inquired, Why Do Thy Disciples
Transgress the Tradition of the Elders? 9. Explanation of "Corban.". 10. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/

Never a Man Like Him
... thy mother'; and, 'Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:' but ye
say, 'If a man shall say to his father or mother, "It is Corban," (that is to ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter vii never a man.htm

The Truth.
... against facts. When the Pharisees said Corban, they lied against the truth
that a man must honour his father and mother. Let us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the truth.htm

The Death of Salome. The Cities which Herod and Philip Built. ...
... 4. After this he raised another disturbance, by expending that sacred treasure which
is called Corban [10] upon aqueducts, whereby he brought water from the ...
/.../chapter 9 the death of.htm

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ...
... but they themselves did not keep these traditions, excusing themselves by inventing
subtle distinctions like those in reference to the Corban (Matthew 15:4-6 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cx jesus last public discourse.htm

Rejection of the Tradition of the Elders.
... let him die the death;' but ye say, 'If a man shall say to his father or his mother,
That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban,' that is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/rejection of the tradition of.htm

Corban (2 Occurrences)
... requires children to honour their father and mother, teaching them to find excuse
from helping their parents by the device of pronouncing "Corban" over their ...
/c/corban.htm - 9k

Vow (49 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament Jesus refers to vows only to condemn the abuse of them (Matthew
15:4-6 Mark 7:10-13; compare Talmud, Nedharim, and see CORBAN). ...
/v/vow.htm - 27k

Gained (66 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:11 But you say,'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit
you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God ...
/g/gained.htm - 25k

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:11 but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith
thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, Given ...
/w/wherewith.htm - 38k

Whatsoever (167 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban,
that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall ...
/w/whatsoever.htm - 35k

Tradition (13 Occurrences)
... tradition?" He then shows how their hollow traditionalism has fruited into mere
ceremonialism and externalism (washing of hands, vessels, saying "Corban" to a ...
/t/tradition.htm - 17k

Tells (38 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:11 But you say,'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit
you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God ...
/t/tells.htm - 16k

Mightest (21 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban,
that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall ...
/m/mightest.htm - 13k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... the writer takes care to interpret words which a Gentile would be likely to
misunderstand, such as, "Boanerges" (3:17); "Talitha cumi" (5:41); "Corban" (7:11 ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

Profit (143 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:11 But you say,'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit
you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God ...
/p/profit.htm - 35k

What does Corban mean in Mark 7:11? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Mark | GotQuestions.org

What is the Jewish Targum? | GotQuestions.org

Corban: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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