ἔγγυος

Pronunciation Guide: eng’-goo-os (with a hard ‘g’ sound)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1450: The Greek word ἔγγυος (egguos) refers to a surety, guarantor, or pledge—one who provides security by entering into a binding agreement on behalf of another. In its biblical context, it specifically denotes one who gives security by pledging their own person or property as assurance that a promise or obligation will be fulfilled. This rare term appears only once in the New Testament, yet carries profound theological significance regarding the Messiah’s role in the new covenant.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine)
• Root Components: From ἐν (en, “in”) + γυῖον (guion, “a limb” or “hand”) suggesting “something placed in the hand” as a pledge
• Language Origin: Ancient Greek legal terminology
• Primary Usage: Legal and covenant contexts
• Frequency: Appears only once in the New Testament (Hebrews 7:22)
• Semantic Field: Legal guarantees, covenant relationships, financial securities

ἔγγυος Morphology:

• ἔγγυος (nominative singular) – a guarantor
• ἐγγύου (genitive singular) – of a guarantor
• ἐγγύῳ (dative singular) – to/for a guarantor
• ἔγγυον (accusative singular) – a guarantor (as direct object)

Origin & History

The term ἔγγυος has deep roots in ancient Greek legal and financial transactions. It first appears in classical Greek literature as early as the 5th century BCE, specifically in the works of Thucydides in his “History of the Peloponnesian War,” where it described individuals who would guarantee the fulfillment of treaties or financial obligations. The word evolved from commercial contexts to include broader legal guarantees.

In the Septuagint (LXX), while the exact form ἔγγυος does not appear frequently, related terms like ἐγγύη (egguē, “surety”) are found in wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs and Sirach, often warning against the dangers of becoming surety for another’s debts (Sirach 29:14-20). The concept was well-established in Jewish legal tradition by the time of the New Testament. Philo of Alexandria, the Jewish philosopher, used the term in his writings about divine promises, helping bridge Greek legal concepts with Jewish theological understanding of covenant relationships.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Legal Guarantor – One who legally binds themselves to fulfill another’s obligations if they default
• Covenant Mediator – One who secures a covenant by providing a guarantee of its fulfillment
• Pledge – Something or someone given as security for the performance of an act
• Bond – A binding agreement secured by a third party
• Surety – One who assumes legal responsibility for another’s debt or obligation

ἔγγυος Translation Options:

• Guarantor – Emphasizes the active role of securing an agreement through personal commitment
• Surety – Highlights the legal aspect of assuming responsibility for another’s obligation
• Pledge – Focuses on the binding nature of the commitment made
• Security – Underscores the stability and certainty provided by the guarantee
• Bail – In some contexts, reflects the concept of providing release from obligation through substitution

Biblical Usage

The term ἔγγυος appears only once in the New Testament, making it a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once). This singular occurrence is in Hebrews 7:22, where it carries immense theological weight: “Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor [ἔγγυος] of a better covenant.” The author of Hebrews uses this rare legal term deliberately to emphasize how Yeshua (Jesus) serves as the divine guarantee of the new covenant’s superiority and permanence.

While the exact form ἔγγυος does not appear elsewhere in Scripture, the concept of surety and guarantee runs throughout biblical covenant theology. The related concept appears in the Septuagint translation of Genesis 43:9, where Judah offers himself as a surety for Benjamin, foreshadowing the Messiah’s role as our guarantor.

• “By so much more Jesus has become a guarantor [ἔγγυος] of a better covenant.” Hebrews 7:22

Cultural Insights

In ancient Greek and Roman legal systems, an ἔγγυος (guarantor) played a crucial role in financial and legal transactions. When a person needed a loan but lacked sufficient credit, a guarantor would step forward and pledge their own property or even their freedom as security. If the borrower defaulted, the guarantor would be legally bound to fulfill the obligation—potentially facing imprisonment or slavery if they could not pay.

This cultural background illuminates the profound nature of what Yeshua has done as our ἔγγυος. In Jewish tradition, becoming a guarantor for someone else’s debt was considered extremely risky and was generally discouraged in wisdom literature. Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac (Rashi), the medieval Jewish commentator, noted that becoming a guarantor was like placing oneself in bondage to another. The Hebrew equivalent term ערב (arev) carries similar connotations in rabbinic literature. By applying this term to Yeshua, the author of Hebrews was making a startling claim about the Messiah’s willingness to put Himself at risk on our behalf—a concept that would have been immediately understood by Jewish readers familiar with these legal and cultural realities.

Theological Significance

The use of ἔγγυος in Hebrews 7:22 reveals a profound theological truth about the nature of the new covenant and Yeshua’s role within it. Unlike the old covenant, which required constant renewal through animal sacrifices and could not perfect the worshiper’s conscience, the new covenant has Yeshua Himself as its guarantor. This means that the entire covenant rests not on human faithfulness, which inevitably fails, but on the perfect faithfulness of the Son of God.

The author of Hebrews emphasizes that Yeshua’s guarantee is superior because it is established by divine oath (Hebrews 7:20-21), secured by an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16), and made effective through His eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:24-25). As our ἔγγυος, Yeshua has not merely provided a temporary security but has given Himself as the permanent guarantee that all covenant promises will be fulfilled. This transforms our understanding of salvation from a conditional arrangement dependent on human performance to an unconditional promise secured by יהוה (Yahweh) Himself through His Son.

The concept of ἔγγυος also reveals the costliness of our redemption. Just as a human guarantor would risk their own freedom and resources to secure another’s debt, Yeshua has pledged His very life—indeed, has given it—to guarantee our covenant relationship with the Father. This extraordinary commitment demonstrates the depth of divine love and the absolute reliability of God’s promises to His people.

Personal Application

Understanding Yeshua as our ἔγγυος (guarantor) transforms how we approach our relationship with God. When we struggle with doubts about our salvation or wonder if we’ve done enough to please God, we can rest in the knowledge that our covenant relationship is guaranteed not by our own faithfulness but by the perfect faithfulness of our Messiah. This truth frees us from the burden of religious performance and allows us to serve God from a place of grateful security rather than anxious striving.

Consider the practical difference this makes: When facing temptation, we can remember that our standing with God is guaranteed by Yeshua’s perfect obedience, not our imperfect efforts. When feeling distant from God because of failure, we can return to Him confidently, knowing that our covenant relationship is secured by the One who promised never to leave or forsake us. The knowledge that Yeshua is our ἔγγυος enables us to live boldly for God, taking risks for His kingdom without fear of ultimate failure, because our eternal destiny is guaranteed by the One who holds all things together.

Related Words

• μεσίτης (mesitēs) – mediator, go-between (pronounced: mes-ee’-tace) – While ἔγγυος emphasizes the guaranteeing aspect, μεσίτης focuses on the mediating role between two parties. Yeshua serves as both our guarantor and mediator, securing and facilitating our relationship with God. See G3316
• ἀρραβών (arrabōn) – pledge, down payment, earnest (pronounced: ar-rab-ohn’) – This term describes the Holy Spirit as the down payment or guarantee of our future inheritance, complementing Yeshua’s role as our guarantor. See G728
• ἐγγράφω (engraphō) – to inscribe, write upon (pronounced: eng-graf’-o) – Sharing a similar prefix, this word describes how God’s law is written on believers’ hearts in the new covenant that Yeshua guarantees. See G1449
• ἐγγίζω (engizō) – to draw near, approach (pronounced: eng-id’-zo) – This related term emphasizes the nearness that results from Yeshua’s guarantee, allowing us to approach God with confidence. See G1448
• διαθήκη (diathēkē) – covenant, testament (pronounced: dee-ath-ay’-kay) – The very covenant that Yeshua guarantees, emphasizing the binding legal agreement between God and His people. See G1242

Did You Know?

• Did you know? The concept of ἔγγυος was so significant in ancient Greek society that special stones called “horoi” were placed on property that had been offered as security by a guarantor. These stones served as public notice that the property was pledged and could not be sold until the guaranteed obligation was fulfilled. This practice helps us understand the public and binding nature of Yeshua’s guarantee of our salvation.
• Did you know? In ancient times, becoming an ἔγγυος (guarantor) for someone else was considered so serious that Proverbs warns against it repeatedly. The Hebrew wisdom tradition viewed becoming a guarantor as placing oneself in a potentially dangerous position—making Yeshua’s willingness to become our guarantor even more remarkable.
• Did you know? The legal concept behind ἔγγυος continues in modern Greek law, where “engýisi” (εγγύηση) refers to a warranty or guarantee. This continuity highlights how the biblical concept of divine guarantee has maintained its legal significance throughout history and continues to communicate the binding nature of God’s commitment to us through the Messiah.

Remember This

The power of ἔγγυος lies in its assurance that our covenant relationship with God is not secured by our faltering faith but by Yeshua’s unfailing faithfulness—He has staked His very life on the fulfillment of God’s promises to us.