The syntax problem with rendering Jer. 31:31 as a Renewed Covenant

The syntax problem with rendering  Jer. 31:31 as a Renewed Covenant 

By Yonatan Perry

Due to language rules with regards to syntax and agreement in Hebrew as is the case with all languages.   It is impossible because of Syntax and the parts of speech of the underlying words that one cannot honestly or faithfully render it as a “RENEWED COVENANT”  First “renewed”  would have to be a verb in the perfect Tense –[completed i.e. like the Past tense in English] describing action completed in the past, but it is not, rather it is an adjective modifying a noun in the imperfect (Future).   “Renewed” leaves us with a bigger theological problem, if it is being rendered completed already (as this is a prophecy about the future in Jer. 31:31-40 as well as in Heb 8:8-13 (outside of the accepted precept that lamb was slain before the foundations of the Earth).

Here are very basic foundational rules of Biblical Hebrew grammar parsing.
1.) Most of the time in Hebrew the subject (noun) follows the verb.  (With some exception primarily in Heb. Poetry i.e. Psalms 51) ¹
2.) In Hebrew the adjective follows the noun which it describes, the adjective will also match the gender of the noun.

In order to use H2318 (verb) “renew(-ed)” it would have to PRECEDE the NOUN  as a verb in the imperfect (future tense) i.e. “I will renew the covenant”,  because this prophecy is speaking about a future fulfillment, even much of  the book of Hebrews is written in the future tense or on-going present tense [a verb in the indicative mood,  and the present tense denotes action taking place or going on in the present time.]  Deeper still is that this is a two part or phase prophecy that will be fulfilled, we can see that there are at two distinct times and with two distinct groups of people involved. I elaborate on this below. 

Even the Greek in Heb 8:8 has Kainos as an adjective describing the noun “covenant”. While the word “renewed” is used in Heb 6:6  it is a verb [G340], but it is not in the context of  describing the covenant, it is a derivative  of “Kainos” but it is modified by a preposition [G303] to change it into an action verb that means renew.

The two part Prophecy of Jer 31.

Verse 31 “Behold, the days are coming (pt1)… a new covenant(A or pt 1) with the House of Judah and Israel.” then in verse 33 “ but THIS is the covenant(B or pt 2) that I will make with the house of Israel [two houses reunited as one  Eze 37:15-28 the evidence of the fulfillment of this prophecy in ver 31:33-34]  after those days (pt 2).” Then as we read on  through the end of verse 34, we see a list of signs of the Covenant .  Other places in scripture  that support the signs of the covenant being in effect and fulfilled are in Eze. 37:22, 24, 26-28 with supporting Verse in Rev. 21:3,22; Eze 11:17-21, Lev 26:11-15, et al.   Yet it looks like this can only be fully ratified or fulfilled under David on the throne.  Eze 37:24 "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.

The Heart of the Issue is that until about a thousand years ago, Hebrew had no vowel points to aid in pronunciation.   Hebrew is based on a three letter root.  For this issue of the “new” versus “renewed” The three letter root in this case is חדשׁ the three Hebrew letters from right to left are Chet, Dalet and Shin.  Possibly a cognate of the Aramaic [H2323] Which is rendered with the Hebrew letters Chet, Dalet and Tav חדת  (Aramaic).

So the issue at hand is that you have three Hebrew words that are all spelled with the same חדשׁ   Chet, Dalet and Shin.  Strong’s list them as H2318, H2319, and H2320 The first is a verb, the second an adjective the third is a noun.   

The first H2318 is a verb, it is used in the sense of "repair" or "rebuild” as well it is used to indicate the action renew(ed),  [like one renews a book at the library – it is an action word or a verb]. Also David’s heart cry to renew a right spirit in Him in Psa 51.

The second is an adjective H2319 meaning new, fresh or new thing.  “This adjective, usually attributive, describes, as in English, a variety of physical objects.” [TWOT def 0613a.]

The third and last H2320 is a masculine noun used for month or the New Moon [which is the begging of the month in the bible], it can also indicate the lunar month.  [TWOT 613b]

Why is this important, because the underlying meaning is determined in the absence of vowel points by its syntax or arrangement in the sentence and the modifiers that are attached to the root.

Where the word is in the sentence and what it comes before or after indicates the part of speech and which definition that one has to use.

While perhaps well meaning people have desired to “label it a renewed covenant”  in order to strengthen the application of Torah under the Grace and the blood of Yeshuah.   Yet poor scholarship and errant exegete of scripture actually weakens and undermines the message of Grace in walking out Torah as an integral part of the faith. 

 If it is done deceptively or purposefully it is intellectually dishonest as well as violating Torah, this maybe the case for some people that have tried to shoehorn it in to Doctrine.   Yet, the problem is if one part of our message is discredited based on translation mistakes, what keep a person seeking the truth of the ancient paths from throwing the baby out with the bath water?    It becomes a stumbling stone to the truth of Torah instead of a beacon or a banner that draws men to Yeshuah and walking out Torah.

The message of walking out Torah with grace, is easy to defend and plenty of great apologetics exist, the truth can stand on its own. It doesn’t need help.  It is more a matter of knowing the most common arguments and then knowing how to defeat them with the truth and just the bible in your hand.   The great majority of the time they are overcome simply by reading the full context of the verse.   It is also much easier to convince some of our evangelical brethren using a mainstream translation that has wide acceptance or recognition, over one of our “boutique” translations.  [i.e. KJV, NKJV, NIV, NASB]  by using one of these mainstream version you remove one more brick in the wall to sharing and hopefully sharing and showing them the Truth of Torah for all believers. 

While they may not be perfect translations, sometimes were only planting little more than a seed of doubt that they will then start seek the truth in the scriptures for themselves.

SO LET US PUT THIS INTO THE PRACTICAL
Lets Parse the syntax of  Jer 31:31

- Do you remember how to diagram a sentence from your English class or Latin Class? Same basic principles apply in Hebrew. (See rules above).

So Let’s parse this sentence in Hebrew: I have set off the parts with **

Jer 31:31 הנה H2009 Behold, ימים H3117 the days באים H935 come, נאם H5002 saith יהוה H3068 the LORD, **VERB וכרתי H3772 that I will make**  את H854 with בית H1004 the house ישׂראל H3478 of Israel, ואת H854 and with בית H1004 the house יהודה H3063 of Judah: **NOUN-Fem SUBJECT ברית H1285 covenant** ** ADJ Fem חדשׁה׃ H2319  a new**

H2319
חדשׁ châdâsh
BDB Definition:
1) new, new thing, fresh
Part of Speech: **ADJECTIVE**
Same Word by TWOT Number: 613a
Derivative TWOT Number: 613a
Derivative Transliteration: hadash
Derivative Strong’s Cross Reference: H2319
Derivative Definition: new, new thing, fresh.
hadash. New, new thing, fresh. This ADJECTIVE, usually attributive, describes, as in English, a variety of physical objects (e.g., house, wife, cords, sword, garment, cruse, meal offering, king, gate, etc.). It is also used for non-material things as name (Isa_62:2), song (Psa_149:1), covenant (Jer_31:31), God’s mercies (Lam_3:23), heart, and spirit (Eze_36:26). While suffering, Job longed for the time when his glory was “fresh” in him (Job_29:20).
———————————————————————————————
H2318
חדשׁchâdash
BDB Definition:
1) to be new, renew, repair
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to renew, make anew
Part of Speech: **VERB**
 ————————————————————————————————
H1285
בּרית berîyth
BDB Definition:
1) covenant
Part of Speech: **NOUN feminine**
Same Word by TWOT Number: 282a

¹   http://www.sil.org/acpub/repository/31850.pdf  18 page pdf that explains the deviation from the standard syntax structure (Verb Preceding the noun) in Psalms 51..