The Scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus and accused his disciples of breaking the traditions of the Elders and Jews by not washing their hands before they ate. (Mark 7:1-4)
Jesus responds by asking why they brake the commands of God with their traditions. (Mark 7:7-9)
Jesus then refers to the Commandment, “Honour thy father and mother”. But by their false traditions, they brake this command of God. (Mark 7:10-13)
This is where Corban (קָרַב) comes in. A little history is needed to understand what Jesus meant.
I like to give the answer up front and explain afterward.
ANSWER:
In this context, Corban means to dedicate their goods to the Temple. All their goods would be donated to the Temple and the priest when they died. In (Mark 7:11) saying “to his father or mother, It is Corban” was like saying…
“Sorry, Mom and Dad, I can not help you with my money or goods. They are God’s and dedicated to the Temple.”
As such, they would not help their parents as they became older and needed support. Or as Jesus said, “Making the word of God of none effect through your traditions,..” (Mark 7:13)
Further Explanations
Corban literally means “drawing near”. The historical context of Corban is “a servant drawing near with a meal for their master.”
In the Bible, Corban is translated in two forms, the simple and the Sacred.
The Simple Form: come, (come, draw) near, bring, approach, present, (come, draw) nigh, at hand.
See (Genesis 20:4), (Exodus 32:19), (Deuteronomy 31:14), (Ester 5:2). There are several other verses that use the simple forms of Corban (קָרַב).
The Sacred Form: offer, bring, offering.
See: (Leviticus 1:2), and several other verses throughout Leviticus.
These verses are about bringing an offering to Yahweh. As I mentioned above, “a servant drawing near with a meal for their master.”
So what was Jesus talking about when he referred to Corban?
In the Levitical Law, when someone brought an offering to the Temple, it was first given to the priests. The priests would then take a portion of the offering for themselves, for their service in the Temple. (Number 18:21-24) and (Leviticus 7:35)
As time passed, some Jews would use the concept of Corban as an excuse not to take care of their parents or others. They would say they were dedicating all their money and goods to the Temple to appear righteous. But in reality, they were using the concept of Corban to keep their goods to themselves. They would continue to use their money just the same, for it did not go to the Temple until they died.
At the same time, when anyone asked for help (like their aging parents), they would say sorry, I can not help you because all my goods are dedicated to God and the Temple.
Through this concept of Corban, they would not honor their father and mother. They would not help them or take care of them.
Notes
Featured image: Solomon Builds the Temple (Bible Primer, 1919)
