Galatians 3:15

After the manner of men (kata anqrwpon). After the custom and practice of men, an illustration from life. Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed (omw anqrwpou kekurwmenhn diaqhkhn). Literally, "Yet a man's covenant ratified." On Diaqhkh as both covenant and will see on Matthew 26:28 ; 1 Corinthians 11:25 ; 2 Corinthians 3:6 ; Hebrews 9:16 . On kurow, to ratify, to make valid, see on "2Co 2:8". Perfect passive participle here, state of completion, authoritative confirmation. Maketh it void (aqetei). See on Hebrews 2:21 for this verb. Both parties can by agreement cancel a contract, but not otherwise. Addeth thereto (epidiatassetai). Present middle indicative of the double compound verb epidiatassomai, a word found nowhere else as yet. But inscriptions use diatassomai, diataxi, diatagh, diatagma with the specialized meaning to "determine by testamentary disposition" (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 90). It was unlawful to add (epi) fresh clauses or specifications (diataxei).