Abstract

BREED, Douw G.. The use of Exodus 19-24 in 1 Peter 1:2 - An exegetical investigation. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2025, vol.59, n.1, pp.1-9. ISSN 2305-0853.  https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v59i1.3151.

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

Keywords : 1 Peter 1:2; Exodus 19-24; the New Testament use of the Old Testament; God's plan; Holy Spirit; sprinkling with blood; covenant.

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