Question 1

What does "Promise" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Promise" means "stated intention." The self-fulfilling power. When God promised, the promise itself carried the power of fulfillment. Human promises are stated intentions; divine promises are creative acts. 'Has He said, and shall He not do it?' was not about God's reliability but about the nature of divine speech -- God's word accomplishes what it declares.

Question 2

Why did the word "Promise" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

Hebrew davar/amar ('God's spoken word that creates what it declares') and Greek epaggelia ('authoritative announcement/pledge that carries self-fulfilling power') cheapened into 'stated intention that might not happen.' The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but cheapened (~1900).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Promise"?

Accepted Answer

"Promise" was replaced by: "pledge" (though this human commitment that may fail; god's promise was self-fulfilling -- the word created what it declared); "commitment" (though this intention requiring follow-through; god's promise was itself the guarantee of fulfillment); "offer" (though this optional and conditional; divine promises were unilateral, unconditional sovereign declarations).

What Does “Promise” Mean in the Bible?

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