Original Word: κορβᾶν
Part of Speech: Hebrew Noun, Masculin
Transliteration: korban
Pronunciation: kor-BAN
Phonetic Spelling: (kor-ban')
KJV: Corban, treasury
Word Origin: [of Hebrew and Chaldee origin respectively (H7133 (קָרבָּן קוּרבָּן - Offering))]

1. a votive offering and the offering
2. a consecrated present (to the Temple fund)
3. (by extension, the latter term) the Treasury itself, i.e. the room where the contribution boxes stood

gift to God, corban, treasury.

Korbanas (kor-ban-as') of Hebrew and Chaldee origin respectively (qorban); a votive offering and the offering; a consecrated present (to the Temple fund); by extension (the latter term) the Treasury itself, i.e. The room where the contribution boxes stood -- Corban, treasury.

see HEBREW qorban

2878 korbán (see OT 7133/quārbān) – Corban; properly, a gift (offering) dedicated to God, and misused by the Jews as a way to evade their rightful duty to God to care for aged parents (etc.).

STRONGS NT 2878: κορβᾶν

κορβᾶν (κορβᾶν WH; but see Tdf. Proleg., p. 102), indeclinable, and κορβανᾶς, accusative κορβᾶν (Buttmann, 20 (18)), ὁ (Hebrew קָרְבָּן i. e. an offering, the Sept. everywhere δῶρον, a term which comprehends all kinds of sacrifices, the bloody as well as the bloodless);

1. κορβᾶν, a gift offered (or to be offered) to God: Mark 7:11 (Josephus, Antiquities 4, 4, 4, of the Nazarites, οἱ κορβᾶν αὑτούς ὀνομασαντες τῷ Θεῷ, δῶρον δέ τοῦτο σημαίνει κατά Ἑλλήνων γλῶτταν; cf. contracted Apion. 1, 22, 4; (BB. DD. under the word, Corban; Ginsburg in the Bible Educator, 1:155)).

2. κορβανᾶς, κορβανα (see Buttmann, as above), the sacred treasury: Matthew 27:6 (L marginal reading Tr marginal reading κορβᾶν) (τόν ἱερόν θησαυρόν, καλεῖται δέ κορβανᾶς, Josephus, b. j. 2, 9, 4).

Etymology and Conceptual Roots

Derived from the Semitic idea of something brought near to God, the term designates property or funds formally devoted to divine use. The sanctity attached to such gifts placed them under priestly oversight and outside ordinary human disposal.

Old Testament Background

The Hebrew Scriptures regularly speak of “an offering” (qorban) presented at the sanctuary (Leviticus 1:2; Numbers 7:3). Whether animal, grain, or material wealth, these gifts were expressions of covenant loyalty. They were never meant to negate the moral commands that framed community life—especially those governing familial obligations (Exodus 20:12).

Second Temple Practice

By the first century, designated chests in the Court of Women received free-will gifts. Rabbinic tradition counted thirteen “shofar”-shaped boxes, each labeled for a category of offerings. Money once dropped in became Temple property—the qorbanas of Matthew 27:6—funding sacrifices, maintenance, and charitable relief under priestly administration (cf. Josephus, Antiquities 19.294).

Occurrences in the New Testament

Mark 7:11: “But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God)...”

Matthew 27:6: “The chief priests picked up the pieces of silver and said, ‘It is unlawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.’”

In Mark, Jesus exposes a tradition that allowed a person to declare assets off-limits to parents by pronouncing them “Corban.” In Matthew, the same root describes the Temple treasury from which blood money must be excluded.

Theological Themes

1. Sanctity of Devotion: Dedicating resources to God remains honorable (Proverbs 3:9).
2. Supremacy of Moral Law: Ritual offerings must never override ethical commands; love for God is inseparable from love for neighbor (Mark 12:30-31).
3. Integrity in Giving: God values heart allegiance over external labels. A gift tainted by injustice or cruelty cannot please Him (Isaiah 1:11-17).

Ethical and Pastoral Implications

• Honor to parents is a lifelong duty; no vow may cancel it.
• Church treasuries today mirror the ancient collection boxes only when they serve both worship and mercy.
• Leaders must guard against turning pious language into loopholes that excuse neglect of the vulnerable.

Christological Perspective

Jesus’ challenge in Mark 7 anticipates His own once-for-all offering (Hebrews 10:10). By fulfilling the sacrificial system, He liberates worshippers from manipulative traditions and redirects devotion toward mercy and truth (Matthew 9:13).

Application for Worship and Giving Today

• Dedicate resources with transparency, ensuring that pledges do not hinder legitimate responsibilities.
• Let offerings flow from gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice, not from attempts to earn standing.
• Evaluate congregational budgets: do they reflect both reverent worship and tangible care for people?

Warnings Against Legalism

The “Corban” loophole demonstrates how religious systems can weaponize holiness language. Vigilance is required lest modern believers substitute technicalities for obedience, whether in finances, time commitments, or relational duties.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 2878 highlights the tension between sacred vows and everyday righteousness. Scripture upholds the former only when it strengthens, rather than supplants, love of God and neighbor.

Κορβαν Κορβάν Κορβᾶν κορβαναν κορβανάν κορβανᾶν Korban Korbán korbanan korbanânInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts