Covenants: Agreements Between Two Parties
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In biblical theology, covenants are solemn agreements or promises between two parties, often involving commitments and obligations. These covenants are central to the narrative of the Bible, illustrating the relationship between God and humanity, as well as between individuals and groups within the biblical text.

Divine Covenants

1. The Noahic Covenant: Following the flood, God established a covenant with Noah and all living creatures, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again. The sign of this covenant is the rainbow. Genesis 9:11-13 states, "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.'"

2. The Abrahamic Covenant: God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars, land, and blessings. This covenant is foundational for the people of Israel. Genesis 17:7 records, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."

3. The Mosaic Covenant: Given at Mount Sinai, this covenant established the Law for the Israelites, including the Ten Commandments. It was conditional, requiring obedience to God's laws. Exodus 19:5 states, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine."

4. The Davidic Covenant: God promised David that his throne would be established forever, a promise ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 2 Samuel 7:16 declares, "Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever."

5. The New Covenant: Prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, this covenant offers forgiveness of sins and a personal relationship with God. Jeremiah 31:31-33 foretells, "The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people."

Human Covenants

1. Covenants Between Individuals: The Bible also records covenants between people, such as the covenant between David and Jonathan, which was a pledge of friendship and loyalty. 1 Samuel 18:3 notes, "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself."

2. Marriage as a Covenant: Marriage is depicted as a covenantal relationship, reflecting the commitment and faithfulness expected between spouses. Malachi 2:14 emphasizes, "Yet you ask, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant."

Theological Significance

Covenants in the Bible are not merely contracts but are deeply relational, often initiated by God, and are marked by promises, signs, and sometimes conditions. They reveal God's faithfulness and His desire for a relationship with humanity. The concept of covenant underscores the narrative of redemption, culminating in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, which offers eternal life to all who believe.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 26:28
And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with you: and we said, Let there be now an oath between us, even between us and you, and let us make a covenant with you;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 11:6
And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Scotch Covenants and the Scotch Kirk.
... National Covenants or politico-religious agreements for the ... The first Covenants were
made for mutual ... was weakened by the quarrel between the Presbyterians and ...
/.../ 90 the scotch covenants.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... of men in their method of solemnizing agreements, it was ... which he makes, and all
the covenants into which ... which he had effected their union, go between the two ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

Resources
What is the Mosaic Covenant? | GotQuestions.org

What is a covenant? | GotQuestions.org

Why are Mormons/LDS so interested in genealogies? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Covenants

Covenants of God's Promises to Man

Covenants of Good Resolutions

Covenants of the Contract of Marriage

Covenants of the United Determination of a People to Serve God

Covenants: (With Death and Hell) Carnal Security

Covenants: (With Stones and Beasts, of the Earth) Peace

Covenants: Agreements Between Two Parties

Covenants: Conditions of Clearly Specified

Covenants: Conditions of Conformed by Oath

Covenants: Conditions of Witnessed

Covenants: Conditions of Written and Sealed

Covenants: Designed For: Establishing Friendship

Covenants: Designed For: Establishing Peace

Covenants: Designed For: Mutual Protection

Covenants: Designed For: Procuring Assistance in War

Covenants: Designed For: Promoting Commerce

Covenants: Designed For: Selling Land

Covenants: Followed by a Feast

Covenants: God often Called to Witness

Covenants: Made by Passing Between the Pieces of the Divided Sacrifices

Covenants: Names Given to Places where Made

Covenants: Pillars Raised in Token of

Covenants: Presents Given As Tokens

Covenants: Ratified by Joining Hands

Covenants: Salt a Sign of Perpetuity In

Covenants: The Jews: Condemned for Making, With Idolatrous Nations

Covenants: The Jews: Forbidden to Make, With the Nations of Canaan

Covenants: The Jews: Frequently Made With Other Nations

Covenants: The Jews: Regarded, As Sacred

Covenants: Violated by the Wicked

Covenants: when Confirmed, Unalterable

Related Terms

Promises (35 Occurrences)

Philosophy (1 Occurrence)

Altar (343 Occurrences)

Violation (6 Occurrences)

Undertaker (1 Occurrence)

Origin (25 Occurrences)

Law-giving (1 Occurrence)

Lawsuits (4 Occurrences)

Lawgiving (1 Occurrence)

Gendereth (2 Occurrences)

Glorious (91 Occurrences)

Gendering (1 Occurrence)

Weeds (14 Occurrences)

Israelites (468 Occurrences)

Furrows (8 Occurrences)

Foreigners (76 Occurrences)

Faithless (46 Occurrences)

Theirs (96 Occurrences)

Recognition (8 Occurrences)

Represent (10 Occurrences)

Run (147 Occurrences)

Excluded (14 Occurrences)

Estranged (12 Occurrences)

Demophon

Destined (25 Occurrences)

Divine (39 Occurrences)

Pertain (9 Occurrences)

Poisonous (8 Occurrences)

Pertaineth (18 Occurrences)

Proceeding (18 Occurrences)

Based (40 Occurrences)

Bears (62 Occurrences)

Belongs (127 Occurrences)

Covenanteth (1 Occurrence)

Commonwealth (2 Occurrences)

Covenant-victim (2 Occurrences)

Contain (19 Occurrences)

Alienated (11 Occurrences)

Allegorical (1 Occurrence)

Aliens (53 Occurrences)

Allegorically (2 Occurrences)

Alliance (12 Occurrences)

Allegorized (1 Occurrence)

Agar (2 Occurrences)

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)

Strangers (95 Occurrences)

Sprouts (6 Occurrences)

Swearing (17 Occurrences)

Separated (97 Occurrences)

Servitude (21 Occurrences)

Belong (127 Occurrences)

Genesis

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Allegory (6 Occurrences)

Covenant (309 Occurrences)

Laws (184 Occurrences)

Receiving (72 Occurrences)

Bondage (55 Occurrences)

Agrarian

Citizenship (4 Occurrences)

Share (138 Occurrences)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Slaves (119 Occurrences)

Service (317 Occurrences)

Apart (228 Occurrences)

Remember (230 Occurrences)

Laodiceans (2 Occurrences)

Bringing (288 Occurrences)

Hagar (15 Occurrences)

Commentaries

Old (3966 Occurrences)

Presence (527 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Promise (112 Occurrences)

Sinai (38 Occurrences)

Falsely (72 Occurrences)

Adoption (5 Occurrences)

Women (328 Occurrences)

Slavery (31 Occurrences)

Covenants: (With Stones and Beasts, of the Earth) Peace
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