What is a covenant?
Quick Answer
A covenant is a solemn, binding agreement between God and His people, establishing a relationship with promises, obligations, and signs - the framework through which God relates to humanity.
Understanding Covenant
A biblical covenant is far more than a contract. It is a sacred bond that establishes a relationship with commitments and consequences. The Hebrew word 'berith' appears over 280 times in the Old Testament. Covenants in Scripture typically include: the parties involved, stipulations or terms, blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience, and a sign or seal. While human covenants are between equals, divine covenants are initiated by God who sovereignly establishes the terms. The major biblical covenants include: the Noahic (never again a global flood), Abrahamic (land, seed, blessing), Mosaic (law given at Sinai), Davidic (eternal kingdom), and New Covenant (forgiveness and Spirit). Each covenant reveals more of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the New Covenant established through Christ's blood.
In the Old Testament
Covenant is the organizing principle of the Old Testament (Testament means covenant). After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah never to destroy the earth by water again, with the rainbow as its sign (Genesis 9). He called Abraham and established a covenant promising land, descendants, and blessing to all nations (Genesis 12, 15, 17). At Sinai, God entered covenant with Israel, giving the law as the covenant terms (Exodus 19-24). Later, God promised David an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7). The prophets announced that Israel had broken the covenant but also pointed to a coming New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
In the New Testament
The New Testament announces that Jesus establishes the New Covenant promised by the prophets. At the Last Supper, Jesus declared the cup to be 'the new covenant in my blood' (Luke 22:20). The book of Hebrews extensively compares the old and new covenants, showing Christ as the mediator of a better covenant based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). The New Covenant is characterized by: forgiveness of sins, the law written on hearts, the Spirit given to all believers, and a personal knowledge of God. Believers today live under this New Covenant, with communion serving as its ongoing sign.
Key Scripture References
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel... I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Read full commentary →Hebrews 8:6“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
Read full commentary →Genesis 17:7“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”
Read full commentary →Luke 22:20“This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
Read full commentary →2 Samuel 7:16“And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”
Read full commentary →Hebrews 9:15“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
Read full commentary →Related Concepts
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