Covenant, meaning a solemn contract, is the customary word used to translate the Hebrew word berith (ברית, Tiberian Hebrew bərîṯ, Standard Hebrew bərit) as it is used in the Hebrew Bible.

While the word is used to identify treaties or similar contracts between rulers or individuals, the primary covenants mentioned in the Bible are the one between God and the Israelites (Old Testament) and the one between God and the Christian Church (New Testament). This covenant was the basis for the Torah, and the claimed status of the Israelites as God's "chosen people." According to the terms of the covenant, Israelites understand that God had promised to undertake certain things on behalf of the people of Israel, and that the Israelites owed God obedience and worship in return.

The Biblical covenants could be subdivided into several sub-headings:

The Noahic Covenant, found in Genesis 8-9 completes the Noahide Laws and applies to the whole mankind. God:

1. forbids eating blood.
2. forbids murder and adopts blood revenge.
3. promises that he will never again destroy life on earth by flood.
4. adopts the rainbow as sign of the covenant.

The Abrahamic Covenant, found in Genesis 15, granting the Israelites a promised land in the Land of Israel. In this covenant, God promises (see Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-18; 15:1-21; 17:1-22):

1. To make of Abraham into a great nation and to multiply his seed exceedingly and to make him a father of great many nations.
2. To bless Abraham and make him great.
3. To make Abraham a blessing to all the families of the earth.
4. To bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him.
5. To give Abraham and his seed forever all the land which he could see.
6. To give him a sign of the covenant (circumcision).

The Mosaic Covenant, found in Exodus 19 through 24, which contained the foundations of the Torah. In this covenant, God promises:

1. To make Israel His special possession among the people of the land.
2. To make Israel a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. God followed it up with requirements and laws.

The Palestinian Covenant is an unconditional covenant enlarging upon the Abrahamic Covenant promising the seed of Abraham eternal possession in the land (Deuteronomy 30:1-10). This covenant says:

1. Israel will be dispersed among the nations.
2. Israel will repent and turn to the Lord.
3. Israel will be regathered from its dispersion.

and in this covenant, God promises:

1. To bring the Israelites to the land which their fathers possessed.
2. To prosper the Israelites above their fathers.
3. To restore the Israelites spiritually so that Israel will love the Lord with all their heart and soul.
4. To put all the curses upon Israel's enemies.

The Davidic Covenant, found in 2 Samuel 7, establishing David and his lineage as the rightful kings of Israel and Judah and extends the covenant of Abraham to David's lineage.

According to Christianity, the Davidic Covenant is an important element of Jesus's claim to be the Messiah. Jesus, by his death and atonement created a New Covenant of faith in which Gentiles as well as Israelites could participate, and under which God promised to grant the faithful eternal life.

See also

• Alliance (Bible)
• Covenant Theology

External links

• "What is a Covenant" from Kingdom Prologue by Meredith G. Kline
• The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man by Hermann Witsius
• Nave's Topical Bible on covenants
• An online Bible study of the word "covenant" using Jack Van Impe's Dictionary of Prophecy Terms

Christian philosophy | Judaism | Theology | Christian theology

Bund (Altes Testament)