1:72
Scholars disagree about how this verse connects to the context. The main interpretations are:
(1) It indicates the purpose for which God had visited Israel to save them (1:68b–69, 71). God did this in order to show mercy to their fathers and to remember his holy covenant. For example:
He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant (NET Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)
(2) It expresses another thing that God said, and is parallel to 1:71. God said that he would save us from our enemies (1:71), and that he would show mercy to our ancestors (1:72). For example:
He said he would give mercy to our fathers and that he would remember his holy promise. (New Century Version)
(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
Verse 72 does not connect only with the clause that comes immediately before it. It explains the purpose for the action that is described in verse 69. English versions indicate this in various ways, such as by ending end 1:71b with a comma, a semi-colon, a period, or a dash.
In some languages it may be necessary to make the connection between 1:72 and 1:69 more explicit. For example:
⌊God did all this⌋ in order to show mercy
-or-
God provided this salvation/Savior for us in order to show
1:72a–b
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant: The actions in these two parts of the verse are closely related. The Lord showed mercy to the fathers and remembered his holy covenant with them. In some languages it may be more natural to indicate that the Lord showed mercy to them by remembering the covenant. For example:
He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant (New Living Translation (2004))
Connect these actions in a natural way in your language.
to show mercy to our fathers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to show mercy is used in the context of keeping a covenant/promise. In such contexts the phrase refers to showing love/kindness through faithfulness to that covenant. In the Old Testament God made a covenant with Abraham and other ancestors of the Israelites. He promised to send a Savior to their descendants. This verse implies that God showed faithful love to the ancestors by keeping that promise and sending the Savior.
Some ways to translate to show mercy to our fathers are:
to treat our ancestors with faithful love
-or-
to show covenant love to our fathers
-or-
to act with loyalty and kindness toward our fathers
our fathers: Here the word fathers means “ancestors.”
1:72b
to remember His holy covenant: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as remember here means “to fulfill” or “to keep/honor” his covenant. God had never forgotten his covenant promises, but at this time he chose to do what he had promised.
Another way to translate the phrase to remember His holy covenant is:
to do what he had promised to do in his holy covenant
His holy covenant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as covenant refers to a binding agreement made between two people or groups. It establishes a relationship of peace or friendship between them. They promise to be faithful to this agreement.
In this verse the holy covenant is the agreement or promise that God made with Abraham and his descendants. It is holy because God made it. He also set it apart as especially important and serious.
Some other ways you can translate holy covenant are:
his sacred promise (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
God’s binding/solemn agreement
-or-
the holy treaty that God made with them
In some languages you may have an idiom for covenant. See covenant in the Glossary.
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