COVENANT OF GOD
Some people question and want to know what is meant by the word “Covenant” in the Bible? Some have referred to it as promises while some refer to it as contract. A Covenant is a contract or agreement between two parties. The word “testament” is Latin word for Covenant. The Hebrew word for Covenant is “berith” meaning a binding agreement or arrangement between two parties, whether unilaterally or bilaterally, involving obligations, responsibilities or obedience, Secondly it can be promise, oath, pledge, pact or treaty, alliance(2 Chronicles 16:3).They were often sealed with Blood and later became written documents. In Greek the word is “suntheke” i.e. sun= “together with”;tithemi= “to put or place”, also means used of mutual, bilateral agreements between human parties, such as marriage and political agreements, also diatheke (die= “through”) i.e. the superior party dictates the terms of the arrangement, “puts it through”.
Few Biblical References
1) Men with men
Genesis 21:22-32(Abraham and Abimelech),Genesis 31:44-54(Jacob and Laban), 1 Samuel 18:3;20:8;23:18(David and Jonathan),Malachi 2:14- “your wife by covenant” (marriage)
2)God with men
Covenant with Adam-Genesis 1:26-30 and 2:16-17(Adamic Covenant)
Covenant with Noah-Genesis 9:9-17(Noahic Covenant)
Covenant with Abraham-Genesis 15:8-18; 17:1-14(Genesis 12:1-3)
Covenant with Israel-Exodus 24:4-8
Palestinian Covenant(Deuteronomy 30:1-10)
Covenant with King David-2 Samuel 7:12-17; 23:5, Psalm 89:3,28 (Davidic Covenant)
Covenant with Moses (Mosaic Covenant)-Deuteronomy 11
New Covenant- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 9:15
The above Covenants can be Classified as Conditional, Unconditional and General
Conditional-Mosaic
Unconditional-Abrahamic, Palestinian, Davidic
General-Adamic, Noahic,New Covenants
