In biblical terms, the concept of "ratified" often pertains to the confirmation or validation of covenants, agreements, or promises made by God or between individuals. The act of ratification signifies the formal approval and establishment of a covenant, making it binding and effective.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, covenants between God and His people were often ratified through specific rituals or signs. For instance, the covenant with Abraham was ratified through the rite of circumcision, as described in Genesis 17:10-14. This physical sign served as a perpetual reminder of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.

The Mosaic Covenant, given at Mount Sinai, was ratified through the sprinkling of blood. In Exodus 24:7-8 , it is recorded: "Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, 'All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.' So Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, 'This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.'"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of ratification is most prominently seen in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. The New Covenant is ratified not by the blood of animals, as in the Old Testament, but by the blood of Christ Himself. Hebrews 9:15-17 explains: "Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where there is a will, it must be established that the one who made it has died. Because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive."

The Last Supper, as recorded in the Gospels, serves as a pivotal moment of ratification for the New Covenant. Jesus, during the meal, took the cup and declared, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20). This act symbolized the impending sacrifice of Christ, which would ratify the New Covenant and offer redemption to all who believe.

Theological Significance

The ratification of covenants in the Bible underscores the seriousness and binding nature of God's promises. It highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His word and the responsibility of His people to uphold their part of the covenant. The transition from the Old Covenant, ratified by the blood of animals, to the New Covenant, ratified by the blood of Christ, marks a significant shift in the relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing grace and redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.

In summary, the biblical concept of ratification serves as a testament to the enduring and unbreakable nature of God's covenants, providing assurance to believers of His unwavering commitment to His promises.(imp. & p. p.) of Ratify.2964. kuroo -- to make valid
... assure. 2964 = (950). Word Origin from the same as kurios Definition to make
valid NASB Word Usage ratified (1), reaffirm (1). confirm. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2964.htm - 6k

4300. prokuroo -- to establish beforehand
... before. Word Origin from pro and kuroo Definition to establish beforehand
NASB Word Usage previously ratified (1). confirm before. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4300.htm - 6k

Whether the Believer who Leaves his Unbelieving Wife Can Take ...
... Therefore he cannot take another wife. On the contrary, Matrimony is not ratified
without the sacrament of Baptism. Now what is not ratified can be annulled. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the believer who leaves.htm

Doctrinal Basis.
... examined, Synod resolved: "1. That this constitution shall be annexed to this journal
[Report]; but it shall not now be adopted nor ratified, so that the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/doctrinal basis.htm

Whether Other Sins Dissolve Marriage?
... In one way as to the marriage tie, and thus marriage cannot be dissolved
after it is ratified, neither by unbelief nor by adultery. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether other sins dissolve marriage.htm

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
... That covenant was ratified a second time, while the Lord appointed the ordinance
of circumcision as a sign and seal of it, to be extended to the descendants of ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xii covenanting performed in.htm

Letter Xcviii. From the Synod of Chalcedon to Leo.
... In consequence of which, we ratified with such moderation as we could the vote which
he had passed against himself by his blunders, stripping the wolf of his ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xcviii from the synod.htm

The Scotch Confession of Faith. AD 1560.
... thereof.' This was one of those religious bonds or mutual agreements by which the
confederation of Protestants of Scotland was so often ratified to secure ...
/.../ 89 the scotch confession.htm

On Communion in the Lord's Supper.
... people, solemnly and most cordially devoted to his service; and it is my hearty
prayer, that the engagements you have made on earth may be ratified in heaven. ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xviii on communion in.htm

(That no Bishop Should Presume in Anything Pertaining to Another's ...
... or excommunicate one belonging to another's parish; because such judgment or ordination,
or excommunication or condemnation, shall neither be ratified nor have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/iii that no bishop should.htm

On the Will, and Command of God the Father and of Christ, by which ...
... parties " of a covenant, indeed, which is never to be disannulled or to perish,
which is, therefore, denominated "the new covenant," and is ratified by the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxxix on the will.htm

Second Petition of the Same, Sent from Chalcedon to Theodosius ...
... the effect that all enactments passed privately and apart must be rescinded; that
the Council must be assembled afresh and the true doctrine ratified; but, as ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/clxvii second petition of the.htm

Ratified (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ratified (5 Occurrences). ... "This cup," He said, "is the
new Covenant ratified by my blood which is to be poured out on your behalf. ...
/r/ratified.htm - 7k

Circumcision (98 Occurrences)
... the rite in the case of the son apparently possesses a vicarious value, for thereby
Moses becomes a "bridegroom of blood." The marriage bond is ratified by the ...
/c/circumcision.htm - 53k

Lawyer (5 Occurrences)
... Of course, frequently, these tribunals were under the sway of such a man's influence,
so that what he said upon his own authority would be ratified in the ...
/l/lawyer.htm - 14k

Transfiguration
... There might be opposition, but there could be no permanent defeat of one
whose work was ratified by Moses, by Elijah, by God Himself. ...
/t/transfiguration.htm - 17k

Treaty (25 Occurrences)
... an agreement, league, or contract between two or more nations or sovereigns, formally
signed by commissioners properly authorized, and solemnly ratified by the ...
/t/treaty.htm - 16k

Reason (438 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Due exercise of the reasoning faculty; accordance with, or that which is
accordant with and ratified by, the mind rightly exercised; right intellectual ...
/r/reason.htm - 39k

Rathumus

/r/rathumus.htm - 6k

Ratifies (1 Occurrence)

/r/ratifies.htm - 6k

Dogma
... as a scientific and systematic expression of the truth of the Christian religion,
and "dogma," as those truths "authoritatively ratified as expressing the ...
/d/dogma.htm - 10k

Behalf (140 Occurrences)
... meal was over. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant ratified by my blood
which is to be poured out on your behalf. (WEY). John 1 ...
/b/behalf.htm - 37k

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