Dictionaries :: Covenant

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Covenant:

a contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant. Gen 15; Jer 34:18-19).

The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered "testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be rendered, just as the word berith of the Old Testament, "covenant."

This word is used (1) of a covenant or compact between man and man (Gen 21:32), or between tribes or nations (1Sa 11:1; Jos 9:6,15). In entering into a convenant, Jehovah was solemnly called on to witness the transaction (Gen 31:50), and hence it was called a "covenant of the Lord" (1Sa 20:8). The marriage compact is called "the covenant of God" (Pro 2:17), because the marriage was made in God's name. Wicked men are spoken of as acting as if they had made a "covenant with death" not to destroy them, or with hell not to devour them (Isa 28:15,18).

(2.) The word is used with reference to God's revelation of himself in the way of promise or of favour to men. Thus God's promise to Noah after the Flood is called a covenant (Gen 9; Jer 33:20, "my covenant"). We have an account of God's covernant with Abraham (Genesis 17, comp. Lev 26:42), of the covenant of the priesthood (Num 25:12-13; Deu 33:9; Neh 13:29), and of the covenant of Sinai (Exd 34:27-28; Lev 26:15), which was afterwards renewed at different times in the history of Israel (Deu 29; Jos 1:2-4; 2Ch 15; 2Ch 23; 2Ch 29; 2Ch 34; Ezr 10; Neh 9). In conformity with human custom, God's covenant is said to be confirmed with an oath (Deu 4:31; Psa 89:3), and to be accompanied by a sign (Gen 9; 17). Hence the covenant is called God's "counsel," "oath," "promise" (Psa 89:3-4; 105:8-11; Hbr 6:13-20; Luk 1:68-75). God's covenant consists wholly in the bestowal of blessing (Isa 59:21; Jer 31:33-34).

The term covenant is also used to designate the regular succession of day and night (Jer 33:20), the Sabbath (Exd 31:16), circumcision (Gen 17:910), and in general any ordinance of God (Jer 34:13-14).

A "covenant of salt" signifies an everlasting covenant, in the sealing or ratifying of which salt, as an emblem of perpetuity, is used (Num 18:19; Lev 2:13; 2Ch 13:5).

COVENANT OF WORKS, the constitution under which Adam was placed at his creation. In this covenant, (1.) The contracting parties were (a) God the moral Governor, and (b) Adam, a free moral agent, and representative of all his natural posterity (Rom 5:12-19). (2.) The promise was "life" (Mat 19:16-17; Gal 3:12). (3.) The condition was perfect obedience to the law, the test in this case being abstaining from eating the fruit of the "tree of knowledge," etc. (4.) The penalty was death (Gen 2:16-17).

This covenant is also called a covenant of nature, as made with man in his natural or unfallen state; a covenant of life, because "life" was the promise attached to obedience; and a legal covenant, because it demanded perfect obedience to the law.

The "tree of life" was the outward sign and seal of that life which was promised in the covenant, and hence it is usually called the seal of that covenant.

This covenant is abrogated under the gospel, inasmuch as Christ has fulfilled all its conditions in behalf of his people, and now offers salvation on the condition of faith. It is still in force, however, as it rests on the immutable justice of God, and is binding on all who have not fled to Christ and accepted his righteousness.

CONVENANT OF GRACE, the eternal plan of redemption entered into by the three persons of the Godhead, and carried out by them in its several parts. In it the Father represented the Godhead in its indivisible sovereignty, and the Son his people as their surety (Jhn 17:4, 6, 9; Isa 42:6; Psa 89:3).

The conditions of this covenant were, (1.) On the part of the Father (a) all needful preparation to the Son for the accomplishment of his work (Hbr 10:5; Isa 42:1-7); (b) support in the work (Luk 22:43); and (c) a glorious reward in the exaltation of Christ when his work was done (Phl 2:6-11), his investiture with universal dominion (Jhn 5:22; Psa 110:1), his having the administration of the covenant committed into his hands (Mat 28:18; Jhn 1:12; 17:2; Act 2:33), and in the final salvation of all his people (Isa 35:10; 53:10-11; Jer 31:33; Tts 1:2). (2.) On the part of the Son the conditions were (a) his becoming incarnate (Gal 4:4-5); and (b) as the second Adam his representing all his people, assuming their place and undertaking all their obligations under the violated covenant of works; (c) obeying the law (Psa 40:8; Isa 42:21; Jhn 9:4-5), and (d) suffering its penalty (Isa 53; 2Cr 5:21; Gal 3:13), in their stead.

Christ, the mediator of, fulfils all its conditions in behalf of his people, and dispenses to them all its blessings. In Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24, this title is given to Christ. (See DISPENSATION.)

Nave's Topical Bible

Covenant: Sacred

Jos 9:18-21; Gal 3:15

Covenant: Binding

Jos 9:18-20; Jer 34:8-21; Eze 17:14-18; Gal 3:15

Covenant: Binding, Not Only on Those Who Make Them

But on those who are represented,

Deu 29:14, 15.

Covenant: Blood Of

Exd 24:8

Covenant: Book Of

Exd 24:7

Covenant: The Mosaic Law Called a Covenant

Exd 34:28

Covenant: References Concerning

See CONTRACTS; VOWS.

Covenant: Of Men with Men

Breach of, punished,

2Sa 21:1-6; Jer 34:8-22; Eze 17:13-19.

National,

see ALLIANCES.

Ratified:

By giving the hand,

Ezr 10:19; Lam 5:6; Eze 17:18;

loosing the shoe,

Rth 4:7-11;

written and sealed,

Neh 9:38; Jer 32:10-12;

by giving presents,

Gen 21:27-30; 1Sa 18:3, 4;

by making a feast,

Gen 26:30;

by a monument,

Gen 31:45, 46, 49-53;

by salting,

Lev 2:13; Num 18:19; 2Ch 13:5;

by offering a sacrifice,

Gen 15:9-17; Jer 34:18, 19.

by oath, see OATH.

See CONTRACTS.

INSTANCES OF:

Abraham and Abimelech,

Gen 21:22-32.

Abimelech and Isaac,

Gen 26:26-31.

Jacob and Laban,

Gen 31:44-54.

Jonathan and David,

1Sa 18:3, 4; 20:16, 42; 2Sa 21:7.

Jews with each other, to serve God,

2Ch 15:12-15; Neh 10:28-32.

King Zedekiah and his subjects,

Jer 34:8.

Ahab with Benhadad,

1Ki 20:34.

Subjects with sovereign,

2Ch 23:1-3, 16.

Covenant: Of God with Men

Confirmed with an oath,

Gen 22:16; 26:3; 50:24; Psa 89:35; 105:9; Luk 1:73; Hbr 6:13, 17, 18.

Binding,

Lev 26; Jer 11:2, 3; Gal 3:15.

Everlasting,

Gen 8:20-22; 9:1-17; Psa 105:8, 10; Isa 54:10; 61:8.

God faithful to,

Lev 26:44, 45; Deu 4:31; 7:8, 9; Jdg 2:1; 1Ki 8:23; Psa 105:8-11; 106:45; 111:5; Mic 7:20.

Repudiated by God on account of Jews' idolatry,

Jer 44:26, 27; Hbr 8:9.

Broken by the Jews,

Jer 22:9; Eze 16:59; Hbr 8:9.

Punishments for breaking of,

Lev 26:25-46.

Covenant: Instances Of

Of the sabbath,

Exd 31:16.

Of the Ten Commandments,

Exd 34:28; Deu 5:2, 3; 9:9.

With Adam,

Gen 2:16, 17;

Noah,

Gen 8:16; 9:8-17;

Abraham,

Gen 12:1-3; 15; 17:1-22; Exd 6:4-8; Psa 105:8-11; Rom 9:7-13; Ga 3.

See CIRCUMCISION.

With Isaac,

Gen 17:19;

Jacob,

Gen 28:13-15.

With the Israelites to deliver them from Egypt,

Exd 6:4-8.

With Phinehas,

Num 25:12, 13.

With Israel, at Horeb,

Deu 5:2, 3;

In Moab,

Deu 29:1-15.

Of the Levites,

Neh 13:29; Mal 2:4, 5.

With David,

2Sa 7:12-16; 1Ch 17:11-14; 2Ch 6:16.

With David and his house,

2Sa 23:5; Psa 89:20-37; Jer 33:21.

With his people,

Isa 55:3; 59:21.

To be confirmed,

Dan 9:27.

Covenant: The Second Covenant

Jer 31:31-34; Hbr 8:4-13; 12:18-24; 13:20

Covenant: Of Man with God

Jacob,

Gen 28:20-22.

Joshua,

Jos 24:25; with Jos 24:19-28.

Absalom,

2Sa 15:7, 8.

Jehoiada and Joash,

2Ki 11:17.

Josiah,

2Ki 23:3.

Asa,

2Ch 15:12-15.

Nehemiah,

Neh 9:38; 10.

Israelites,

Jer 50:5.

See VOWS.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Covenant:

The Heb. berith means primarily "a cutting,"; with reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals in two and passing between the parts in ratifying a covenant (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18-19). In the New Testament the corresponding word is diathece (diatheke) which is frequently translated "testament" in the Authorized Version. In its biblical meaning two parties the word is used-

(1.) Of a covenant between God and man; e.g. God covenanted with Noah, after the flood, that a like judgment should not be repeated. It is not precisely like a covenant between men, but was a promise or agreement by God. The principal covenants are the covenant of works-God promising to save and bless men on condition of perfect obedience-and the covenant of grace, or God's promise to save men on condition of their believing in Christ and receiving him as their Master and Saviour. The first is called the Old Covenant, from which we name the first part of the bible the Old Testament, the Latin rendering of the word covenant. The second is called the New Covenant, or New Testament.

(2.) Covenant between man and man, i.e. a solemn compact or agreement, either between tribes or nations (Joshua 9:6; 9:15; 1 Samuel 11:1) or between individuals (Genesis 31:44) by which each party bound himself to fulfill certain conditions and was assured of receiving certain advantages. In making such a covenant God was solemnly invoked as witness (Genesis 31:50) and an oath was sworn (Genesis 21:31). A sign or witness of the covenant was sometimes framed, such a gift (Genesis 21:30) or a pillar or heap of stones erected (Genesis 31:52).