A Divine and Solemn Agreement
A covenant is a solemn, binding agreement between two parties.1 In a biblical context, it refers primarily to a formal, ratified relationship or treaty initiated by God with humanity, with Israel, or with individuals.2 This agreement establishes the terms, promises, and conditions by which the relationship is governed.
I. Defining the Biblical Covenant
The Hebrew word most commonly translated as “covenant” is berith (3$\text{ืึฐึผืจึดืืช}$), and the Greek word is diathฤkฤ (4$\text{ฮดฮนฮฑฮธฮฎฮบฮท}$).5 Unlike a simple contract between two equals, a biblical covenant has unique characteristics:
- Sovereign Initiation: The most significant covenants (like the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenants) are initiated by God, the superior party. They are essentially divine decrees that set the terms for the recipient party.
- Binding and Formal: Covenants were traditionally sealed through solemn ceremonies, often involving a ritualistic sacrifice, where the parties would symbolically pass between the divided pieces of an animal (as seen in Genesis 15).6 This signified that the penalty for breaking the covenant was death.
- Promises and Conditions: Every covenant includes promises made by God (blessings) and may include specific requirements or conditions for the human party (obedience).7
II. Types of Biblical Covenants
Biblical covenants are broadly categorized based on their conditions:
| Covenant Type | Description | Key Examples |
| Unconditional (Gracious) | God makes a binding promise that He will fulfill, regardless of the human partyโs obedience. These are guaranteed by God’s faithfulness. | Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:11, KJV – never again to flood the earth), Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, KJV – land, seed, and blessing). |
| Conditional (Legal) | The promised blessings and curses are contingent upon the obedience or disobedience of the human party. | Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24, KJV – the Law given at Sinai; blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience). |
III. The Key Covenants in Scripture
The biblical narrative, particularly as it relates to The Lord’s Return, is driven by the progressive unfolding of God’s covenant promises, culminating in the New Covenant:
1. The Adamic Covenant (Genesis 1:28, KJV)
The covenant of creation and life, establishing humanity’s relationship with God, the command to multiply and fill the earth, and the dominion mandate.
2. The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:11, KJV)8
An unconditional promise to all living creatures that the earth will never again be destroyed by a global flood. The rainbow serves as the sign of this covenant.
3. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17, KJV)
The foundational unconditional covenant promising Abraham three things:
- A Great Seed: A lineage that would lead to a great nation (Israel) and ultimately to Christ.9
- A Great Land: The specific geographical region promised to his descendants.10
- A Great Blessing: A promise that through him, all families of the earth would be blessed (Galatians 3:8, KJV).11
4. The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24, KJV)
A conditional covenant establishing Israel as a holy nation through the giving of the Law (Torah). It defined the terms of their national life and worship until the coming of Christ.
5. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16, KJV)12
An unconditional covenant promising King David that his lineage and kingdom would be eternal.13 This prophecy guarantees that the Messiah would come through the house of David (Luke 1:32-33, KJV) to sit on a perpetual throne, which is fulfilled at The Lord’s Return.