The term "annuls" refers to the act of declaring something invalid or void, often in a legal or formal context. In the biblical sense, it is used to describe the nullification or cancellation of covenants, laws, or decrees. The concept of annulling is significant in understanding the permanence and authority of God's word and covenants, as well as the limitations of human authority in altering divine decrees.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Authority and Human Limitations: The Bible emphasizes that God's covenants and promises are irrevocable and cannot be annulled by human actions or decisions. In Galatians 3:15, Paul uses the analogy of a human covenant to illustrate the unchangeable nature of God's promises: "Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be annulled or amended."

2. The Law and the New Covenant: The concept of annulling is also relevant in discussions about the Old and New Covenants. Hebrews 7:18-19 speaks of the annulment of the former commandment due to its weakness and unprofitability, paving the way for a better hope through which we draw near to God: "So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God."

3. God's Unchanging Nature: The immutability of God's word is a recurring theme in Scripture. In Isaiah 14:27, the prophet declares, "For the LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" This underscores the idea that what God has established cannot be annulled by any force.

4. Human Attempts to Annul: Throughout biblical history, there are instances where individuals or nations attempt to annul God's decrees or covenants, often leading to divine judgment or correction. For example, in the account of Balaam, King Balak of Moab seeks to curse Israel, but Balaam responds in Numbers 23:19-20, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it."

5. Moral and Ethical Implications: The concept of annulling also carries moral and ethical implications, particularly in the context of vows and oaths. In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus teaches about the seriousness of making vows, emphasizing that one's word should be trustworthy without the need for oaths that might be annulled or broken.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the concept of annulling highlights the sovereignty and faithfulness of God. It reassures believers of the certainty and reliability of God's promises, as they are not subject to change or cancellation. This assurance is foundational to the Christian faith, providing confidence in the salvation and eternal life promised through Jesus Christ.

In summary, the biblical concept of annulling serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of God's word and the futility of human efforts to alter divine decrees. It calls believers to trust in the steadfastness of God's promises and to live in accordance with His unchanging truth.3089. luo -- to loose, to release, to dissolve
... verb Definition to loose, to release, to dissolve NASB Word Usage annuls (1), break
(1), breaking (1), broke down (1), broken (4), destroy (2), destroyed (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3089.htm - 9k6565a. parar -- to break, frustrate
... 12), breaking (3), broke (4), broken (7), cease (1), do away (1), fail (1), frustrate
(2), frustrated (2), frustrates (1), indeed annuls (2), ineffective (1 ...
/hebrew/6565a.htm - 5k

Thy Kingdom Come
... through being heard, although his knowledge of such things as he may be able in
the present to receive is partial, whereas the perfect that annuls the partial ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xv thy kingdom come.htm

Preface
... Yet what avail the prizes or the blows Of fortune, when the body's spark
is quenched And death annuls whatever state I held? This ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/preface.htm

Of Monastic Vows.
... Let men extol the obligation of a vow as much as they list, yet shall they
not bring to pass that the vow annuls the commandment of God. ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxvii of monastic vows.htm

Not Genesis, but Free-Will.
... nations to be instructed in the studies of the Greeks; but, as we have said, each
nation observes its own laws according to free-will, and annuls the decrees ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxv not genesis but free-will.htm

If any Persons who Profess virginity Shall Disregard their ...
... Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XIX. Whoever has professed virginity and
afterwards annuls it, let him be cut off for four years. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xix if any persons.htm

Since it is Declared in the Apostolic Canons that of those who are ...
... Aristenus points out how this canon annuls the tenth canon of Ancyra, which allows
a deacon and even a presbyter to marry after ordination and continue in his ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon vi since it is.htm

Whether it is Necessary for Perjury that the Statement Confirmed ...
... Hence falsehood directly annuls the end of an oath: and for this reason, that
perversity in swearing, which is called perjury, takes its species chiefly from ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is necessary for 7.htm

Whether Marriage Already Contracted Should be Annulled by the ...
... Yet he who has taken a simple vow of chastity can never have carnal intercourse
with his wife without sin. Therefore a simple vow annuls marriage. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether marriage already contracted should.htm

Whether a Solemn Vow Dissolves a Marriage Already Contracted?
... marriage. Now a material marriage already contracted annuls a marriage
contracted afterwards. Therefore a solemn vow does also. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a solemn vow dissolves.htm

To Sister Eugenia, Her Niece at the Convent of Saint Agnes of ...
... So she annuls her self-will, which is the cause of all evil, and subjects it to
the yoke of holy obedience, not only to the Order and its chief, but to every ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to sister eugenia her niece.htm

Annuls (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Annuls (4 Occurrences). Matthew 5:19 Whoever,
therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and ...
/a/annuls.htm - 7k

Annulling (3 Occurrences)

/a/annulling.htm - 7k

Annus

/a/annus.htm - 6k

Predestination
... A non-election there may be, of course, but not in any sense that annuls full
personal responsibility for coming short of life everlasting. ...
/p/predestination.htm - 26k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... If the father of the betrothed annuls the engagement, he must give back to the man
twice the value of the presents (sections 159); especially the sum paid for ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Hammurabi
... If the father of the betrothed annuls the engagement, he must give back to the man
twice the value of the presents (sections 159); especially the sum paid for ...
/h/hammurabi.htm - 47k

Religion (23 Occurrences)
... addressed to Shamash, the Sun-god, will make this plain: COLUMN II + Who plans
evil-his horn thou dost destroy, 40 Whoever in fixing boundaries annuls rights. ...
/r/religion.htm - 101k

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)
... addressed to Shamash, the Sun-god, will make this plain: COLUMN II + Who plans
evil-his horn thou dost destroy, 40 Whoever in fixing boundaries annuls rights. ...
/b/babylonia.htm - 75k

Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... addressed to Shamash, the Sun-god, will make this plain: COLUMN II + Who plans
evil-his horn thou dost destroy, 40 Whoever in fixing boundaries annuls rights. ...
/a/assyria.htm - 101k

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