Certify
An Older Meaning of Certify
In the King James Version, "certify" does not carry the modern meaning of officially verifying or guaranteeing something. Instead, it means simply "to make known" or "to inform." This older sense of the English word translates several Hebrew and Greek terms, all sharing the basic idea of communicating information. Understanding this distinction prevents confusion when reading passages where "certify" appears in older translations.
David Sends Word
In 2 Samuel 15:28, David tells his allies to "certify" him, that is, to send him word, from the plains of the wilderness while he waits for news during Absalom's rebellion. David had arranged an intelligence network through Hushai and the priests Zadok and Abiathar, who would relay information about Absalom's plans. The "certifying" here is the passing of strategic intelligence, a matter of life and death for the fugitive king. Modern translations render this as "send me word" or "let me know."
Official Communication in the Persian Empire
The book of Ezra uses "certify" in the context of official Persian correspondence. In Ezra 4:14, 16, the opponents of the Jerusalem rebuilding project write to King Artaxerxes to inform (certify) him that the city is being rebuilt and to warn him of potential rebellion. In Ezra 5:10, officials ask the Jewish elders for their names so they can "certify" (inform) the king. And in Ezra 7:24, the term appears in Artaxerxes' decree granting privileges to temple personnel. These uses reflect the formal communication channels of the Persian imperial bureaucracy, where written reports flowed between provincial officials and the royal court.
Esther's Report to the King
In Esther 2:22, Mordecai discovers a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus and tells Queen Esther, who in turn informs (certifies) the king in Mordecai's name. This act of communication ultimately saved the king's life and set in motion the events that would save the Jewish people from Haman's genocide. The simple act of making something known, certifying the truth, had world-changing consequences.
Paul Certifies His Gospel
The most theologically significant use of "certify" appears in Galatians 1:11, where Paul writes, "I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not after man" (KJV). Modern translations render this as "I would have you know" or "I make known to you." Paul's point is emphatic: the gospel he preaches did not come from any human source but through direct revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12). His certification is not merely informational but carries the weight of apostolic authority and divine commissioning.
The Importance of Making Truth Known
Across all these passages, certifying involves the communication of truth that matters. Whether David receiving intelligence, Persian kings receiving reports, Esther revealing a conspiracy, or Paul declaring the divine origin of his message, the act of making truth known carries consequences. The biblical emphasis on certifying reflects a worldview in which information is powerful, truth is vital, and the faithful transmission of what is known serves the purposes of God.
Biblical Context
"Certify" appears in 2 Samuel 15:28 (David requesting information during Absalom's revolt), Ezra 4:14, 16; 5:10; 7:24 (Persian official correspondence), Esther 2:22 (Mordecai's report of the assassination plot), and Galatians 1:11 (Paul declaring the divine origin of his gospel).
Theological Significance
Paul's certification in Galatians 1:11 is foundational to Christian theology. By declaring that his gospel came by direct revelation from Christ rather than from human teaching, Paul establishes the independent authority of his apostleship and the divine origin of the message of salvation by grace through faith. This certification stands at the heart of the Protestant Reformation's emphasis on the gospel as God's word, not a human invention.
Historical Background
The Persian imperial communication system described in Ezra was one of the most sophisticated in the ancient world. The Persians maintained a network of roads, relay stations, and mounted couriers that Herodotus famously described. Official correspondence was written on clay tablets, papyrus, or leather, and sealed with official seals. Archaeological discoveries of Aramaic documents from the Persian period, including the Elephantine papyri, confirm the formal reporting practices reflected in the biblical text.