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Corban: When Tradition Replaces Duty — Mark 7
Corban originally referred to a sacred offering dedicated to God. However, the Pharisees of the New Testament era exploited this practice to evade their responsibility to care for their parents. By simply declaring their property “Corban,” they could free themselves from the guilt of neglecting their filial duties.
Corban: When Tradition Replaces Duty — Mark 7
Corban is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word qorban, meaning “offering” — that is, a gift or offering set apart and dedicated exclusively for presentation to God. Originally, the term was used as a designation of loyalty and devotion, carrying the sense of a tribute offered to God or a gift presented in honor of Him.
Corban in the New Testament Era
However, toward the latter period of the Old Testament era, the word “Corban” came to be used as a vow formula expressing prohibition and restraint — meaning that once something had been declared as given to God, it could no longer be used by any person for secular or personal purposes. If a parent was in need of assistance and the son simply said, “What I have is already Corban,” he could exempt himself from the duty he owed as a child to care for his parents.
In particular, the Pharisees of the New Testament era, disregarding the foundational spirit of Corban, exploited the Corban vow by refusing to annul it even when the vowed item was something needed for the support of their parents. Although the property in question was rightfully to be used for their parents’ care, they would contribute a portion of it to God and declare, “It is Corban — that is, given to God” [11] But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— (Mark 7:11, ESV). From the moment such a declaration was made, they were considered exempt from the obligation to support their parents. In the end, those who cried “Corban” were unfilial children who donated only a portion of the funds meant for their parents’ support to the temple while keeping the rest for themselves — detestable criminals who simultaneously deceived both man and God [5] But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” (Matt 15:5, ESV).
Corban in the Old Testament Era
It is said that during the New Testament era, some priests took advantage of this atmosphere by turning the Corban practice into a means of accumulating wealth — quietly permitting its misuse and even accepting a portion of it as bribes. Jesus sternly rebuked these hypocrites who used the appearance of piety as a cover for personal gain, declaring, “You make void the word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:11).
Source: Dictionary of Biblical Cultural Background
Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com
