Accommodation in Old and New Testament Prophecy
Accommodation in Old and New Testament Prophecy
The concept of accommodation in biblical prophecy refers to the way God condescends to human understanding and circumstances, often using existing cultural or historical contexts to convey divine messages. In the Old Testament, this is evident in the way prophetic messages were communicated through various means, including visions, dreams, and symbolic actions.
The Israelites' encampment around the tabernacle is a prime example of accommodation, where God's presence dwelled among his people [1]. The tabernacle served as a symbol of God's habitation among the Israelites, providing a tangible representation of his divine presence [2]. The detailed regulations surrounding the camp, including its layout and sanitary rules, demonstrate God's concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of his people [3].
In prophetic literature, accommodation is seen in the way prophets used existing cultural and historical contexts to convey God's messages. For instance, Isaiah's prophecy about the "covering" or "shadow" that would provide refuge from the heat and storms (Isaiah 4:6) [4] uses imagery familiar to the Israelites. Similarly, Jeremiah's comparison of the Rechabites' nomadic lifestyle to the ideal of faithfulness (Jeremiah 35:7) [10] illustrates how prophets drew on everyday experiences to convey spiritual truths.
The New Testament continues this theme of accommodation, with Jesus and the apostles using familiar Jewish concepts and imagery to convey the message of salvation. For example, Jesus is described as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy about the "Servant" who would bring justice and light to the nations (Matthew 12:17, citing Isaiah 42:1) [7]. The use of existing biblical imagery and themes demonstrates how the New Testament writers accommodated their message to their audience.
The concept of accommodation highlights God's willingness to engage with humanity in a way that is meaningful and accessible. As one tradition notes, God's dwelling among the Israelites was a demonstration of his commitment to be with his people [9]. This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where the incarnation of Jesus Christ represents the ultimate accommodation of God's presence among humanity.
The understanding of accommodation in biblical prophecy has been interpreted in various ways across different Christian traditions. While some emphasize the literal fulfillment of prophecies, others see them as typological or allegorical [5, 6]. The Jewish tradition also recognizes the importance of accommodation in understanding biblical prophecy, with commentators like Abraham Ibn Ezra highlighting the ways in which Scripture uses human imagery to convey divine truths [8].
The historical development of the concept of accommodation is closely tied to the biblical text itself, with the Israelites' experiences in the wilderness and the prophetic literature shaping the understanding of God's presence and activity among his people. As the biblical narrative unfolds, the theme of accommodation continues to be relevant, demonstrating God's ongoing engagement with humanity.
Sources
- Numbers “Those who encamp before the tabernacle eastward, in front of the Tent of Meeting toward the sunrise, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the requirements of the sanctuary for the duty of the children of Israel. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death. -- Numbers 3:38”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Habitation — God is the habitation of his people, who find rest and safety in him (Ps. 71:3; 91:9). Justice and judgment are the habitation of God's throne (Ps. 89:14, Heb. mekhon, "foundation"), because all his acts are founded on justice and judgment. (See Ps. 132:5, 13; Eph. 2:22, of Canaan, Jerusalem, and the temple as God's habitation.) God inhabits eternity (Isa. 57:15), i.e., dwells not only among men, but in eternity, where time is unknown; and "the praises of Israel" (Ps. 22:3), i.e., he dwells among those praises and is continually surrounded by them.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Encamp — An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers (Ex. 13:20; 14:19; Josh. 10:5; 11:5). The manner in which the Israelites encamped during their march through the wilderness is described in Num. 2 and 3. The order of the encampment (see [185]CAMP) was preserved in the march (Num. 2:17), the signal for which was the blast of two silver trumpets. Detailed regulations affecting the camp for sanitary purposes are given (Lev. 4:11, 12; 6:11; 8:17; 10:4, 5; 13:46; 14:3; Num. 12:14, 15; 31:19; Deut. 23:10, 12). C”
- Isaiah “Isaiah 4:6 (Geneva1599) — And a couering shalbe for a shadow in the day for the heate, and a place of refuge and a couert for the storme and for the raine.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 4:14: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet-- (Isa 9:1-2 or, as in Hebrew, Isa 8:23, and Isa 9:1). saying--as follows:”
- Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 3:12: 3:12 Jesus the Messiah perfectly expresses the ethical qualities predicted for the godly remnant of Israel (Isa 42:1-4; 53:3, 7-9; Zech 9:9; see Matt 11:28-30; 12:15-21; Phil 2:1-8; 1 Pet 2:23).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 12:17: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying-- (Isa 42:1).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 29:45: AND I WILL DWELL. Scripture describes how God’s glory will dwell among the children of Israel when the standards will be set up. 163 In other words, our verse adverts to the time when the camp of Israel will be set up in the form of a square with the tent of meeting in its center. Hence our verse speaks of God dwelling among the children of Israel. See Num. 2-4. Four standards were set up on the four sides. 164 Num. 2-4. Additionally, there was a separation between the camp of the Levites and the camp of the Israelites 165 I.E. assumed this, as Scripture does ”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 29:45: I will dwell among the children of Israel - This is the great charter of the people of God, both under the Old and New Testaments; see Exo 25:8; Lev 26:11, Lev 26:12; Co2 6:16; Rev 21:3. God dwells Among them: he is ever to be found in his Church to enlighten, quicken, comfort, and support it; to dispense the light of life by the preaching of his word, and the influences of his Spirit for the conviction and conversion of sinners. And he dwells In those who believe; and this is the very tenor of the New Covenant which God promised to make with the house of Israel; s”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 35:7: tents-- (Jdg 4:17). live many days--according to the promise connected with the fifth commandment (Exo 20:12; Eph 6:2-3). strangers--They were not of the stock of Jacob, but sojourners in Israel. Types of the children of God, pilgrims on earth, looking for heaven as their home: having little to lose, so that losing times cost them little alarm; sitting loose to what they have (Heb 10:34; Heb 11:9-10, Heb 11:13-16).”