Die gebruik van Eksodus 19–24 in 1 Petrus 1:2 – ’n Eksegetiese ondersoek

Abstract

The use of Exodus 19–24 in 1 Peter 1:2 – An exegetical investigation. 1 Peter shows an exceptional number of quotations from and references to the Old Testament. Although much has already been written about the author of 1 Peter’s use of the Old Testament, little attention is given to the possibility that the author already has the Old Testament in mind in 1 Peter 1:2. This article investigates whether Peter, with the three prepositional phrases in 1:2, has specific Old Testament passages in mind. Greater clarity regarding Peter’s intention with the three prepositional phrases in 1:2 is achieved by placing the phrases within the context of 1 Peter. It is then examined whether Peter refers to specific Old Testament passages with each of the three phrases. The grammatical-historical model of exegesis, as practiced within the Reformed tradition, is followed in this article. Peter’s three prepositional phrases in 1:2 refer to the covenant events as described in Exodus 19–24. With the prepositional phrase κατὰ πρόγνωσιν θεοῦ πατρὸς, he refers to God’s redemptive plan as outlined in Exodus 19:3–8. The prepositional phrase, ἐν ἁγιασμῷ πνεύματος, reflects both God’s holiness and Israel’s holiness as recorded in Exodus 19–24. The prepositional phrase, εἰς ὑπακοὴν καὶ ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, refers to Israel’s obedience and the confirmation of the covenant between God and Israel as described in Exodus 24:3–8.

Contribution: The importance of research on the New Testament authors’ use of the Old Testament is widely acknowledged by exegetes. This article indicates that in 1 Peter 1:2, the three prepositional phrases refer to the covenant events in Exodus 19–24. By identifying the reference to the Old Testament in 1 Peter 1:2, the groundwork is laid in this article for further research on Peter’s use of Exodus 19–24. For example, recognising Peter’s reference to Exodus 19–24 in the salutation of his letter provides the opportunity for closer examination of Peter’s interpretive, theological, and rhetorical use of the covenant events as recorded in Exodus 19–24 in 1 Peter 1:2 and throughout the remainder of the letter.