What does the word "testament" mean?

from the old testament

• God entered into a covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:9–11), with Abraham (Genesis 15:18), with Abraham's descendants, the Israelites (Exodus 19:5), and with David (Psalm 89:3–4).
• God promised a new and better covenant in Jeremiah 31:31–34, one that included forgiveness of sins and would be "an everlasting covenant" (Jeremiah 32:40).

from the new testament

• When Jesus stated that the Passover cup would now represent His blood of the New Covenant, He was referring to the promise from God in Jeremiah 31:31–34. In almost every instance where the King James Version uses the word "testament," the word "covenant" is a more accurate rendering of the text (Hebrews 9:15; Luke 22:20).
• One exception is Hebrews 9:16–17, where the author is actually referencing a last will and testament. The King James Version reads, "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." Most other English translations use the word "will" in this passage, rather than "testament." But this is an example of where testament does not mean covenant. As always, reading passages in context is key to understanding their meaning. Reading a passage in multiple translations can also help.

implications for today

The word testament in biblical usage comes from the Greek word diatheke. In Greek, diatheke means contract, advisory will, or covenant. It comes from a root word that can mean disposition or arrangement. In English, the word testament is most often used to describe the legal requirements of how earthly possessions should be dispensed after a person's death, as in "a last will and testament." However, it can also be used to mean evidence of a specified fact and is related to the English words testify and testimony.

In biblical usage, the King James Version uses "testament" almost every time the Greek word diatheke appears in the ancient texts. Thus, Jesus's words at the Last Supper include, "for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28 [KJV]). However, most other English translations replace that usage of "testament" with the word "covenant." So, in older translations, the word testament most often refers to a covenant, which is an intimate relationship and commitment between two parties.

From the beginning, God made a covenant with His people, showing His faithfulness and love. This covenant relationship reveals God’s promise to guide, protect, and redeem His people, as seen in His covenants with Noah (Genesis 9:9-17), Abraham (Genesis 15:18), and Moses (Exodus 24:7-8). The New Covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31–34 and fulfilled through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:6–13), establishes a deeper, spiritual relationship between God and humanity—one based on grace, forgiveness, and transformation by the Holy Spirit. Understanding “testament” as covenant helps us grasp the Bible’s message of God’s ongoing commitment to restore and reconcile His people to Himself through Jesus’s sacrifice. This covenant is not merely a contract, but a living promise inviting us into a personal, enduring relationship with God.