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

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the ancient Near Eastern context, covenants were solemn agreements or treaties between two parties, often ratified through symbolic acts. One such act involved the passing between the pieces of divided sacrifices, a ritual that underscored the seriousness and binding nature of the covenant. This practice is vividly illustrated in the biblical narrative of God's covenant with Abram, later known as Abraham.

Biblical Account: Genesis 15

The most notable instance of this covenantal ritual is found in Genesis 15. Here, God establishes a covenant with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. The passage describes how God instructed Abram to bring specific animals: a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon. Abram cut the animals in half, arranging the halves opposite each other, while the birds were not divided.

As the sun set, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. In this moment, God revealed to Abram the future of his descendants, including their enslavement in a foreign land and eventual deliverance. The covenant was then ratified in a dramatic and divine manner: "When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces" (Genesis 15:17). This act symbolized God's unilateral commitment to fulfill the promises made to Abram.

Symbolism and Significance

The ritual of passing between the pieces of divided sacrifices held profound symbolic meaning. In ancient times, such an act was a vivid illustration of the consequences of breaking the covenant. The parties involved were essentially invoking a self-maledictory oath, implying that if they failed to uphold their end of the agreement, they would suffer the same fate as the slaughtered animals. In the case of God's covenant with Abram, the presence of the smoking firepot and blazing torch—representing God's presence—signified that God alone was taking on the responsibility to fulfill the covenant promises.

Theological Implications

This covenantal act underscores several key theological themes. Firstly, it highlights the grace and sovereignty of God, who initiates and guarantees the covenant with Abram. Unlike typical covenants of the time, where both parties would pass between the pieces, only God, symbolized by the firepot and torch, passes through, indicating that the fulfillment of the covenant rests solely on His faithfulness.

Secondly, the ritual foreshadows the sacrificial system that would later be established under the Mosaic Covenant, pointing to the necessity of atonement and the seriousness of sin. The divided animals serve as a precursor to the sacrificial offerings that would become central to Israel's worship and relationship with God.

Lastly, this covenant with Abram is foundational to the biblical narrative, as it sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the nation of Israel and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the promised seed of Abraham. The covenant promises of land, descendants, and blessing find their ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant, established through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ.

Conclusion

The covenant made by passing between the pieces of the divided sacrifices is a profound testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises. It serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of covenantal relationships and the lengths to which God will go to ensure the fulfillment of His divine purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 15:9-17
And he said to him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 34:18,19
And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in two, and passed between the parts thereof,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chapter xv
... made after the fashion of covenants made in those ... follows: "on this day Yahweh made
a covenant ... and flaming torch" represented Yahweh passing between the halves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... would hardly have escaped alteration in passing through Greek ... feast of Pentecost
dates from the covenants made by God ... The sun,' he says, was made for a great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... with the children of Israel, and the covenants made by Jahveh with ... in the events
of the years which followed, passing mention of which was made by Winckler ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... 28. There arose a disagreement between him and his predecessor [4442] in the rule ...
Accordingly, when, after passing through all quarters, he made his attack ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Footnotes
... desirous to effect a reconciliation between the Resolutioners ... long Christian
acquaintance with the author made me not ... p.165) Previous to the passing of that Act ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... made a firmament, even heaven itself hath divided between them ... Now passing by the
doctrine of the trinity, because ... is also included the woman, was made the last ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... of Egypt, and the mark was set between their eyes ... Here then they made a pause; and
here also they ... Person, plain to be distinguished, impossible to be divided. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

part ii
... means"undividedly, not dividing ourselves between the love ... labours, unceasing prayer,
have made both their ... your soul, not with your heart divided, not paying ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm