Reference: Covenant
American
The word testamentum is often used in Latin to express the Hebrew word which signifies covenant; whence the titles, Old and New Testaments, are used to denote the old and new covenants. See TESTAMENT.
A covenant is properly an agreement between two parties. Where one of the parties is infinitely superior to the other, as in a covenant between God and man, there God's covenant assumes the nature of a promise, Isa 59:21; Jer 31:33-34; Ga 3:15-18. The first covenant with the Hebrews was made when the Lord chose Abraham and his posterity for his people; a second covenant, or a solemn renewal of the former, was made at Sinai, comprehending all who observe the law of Moses. The "new covenant" of which Christ is the Mediator and Author, and which was confirmed by his blood, comprehends all who believe in him and are born again, Ga 4:24; Heb 7:22; 8:6-13; 9:15-23; 12:24. The divine covenants were ratified by the sacrifice of a victim, to show that without an atonement there could be no communication of blessing and salvation form God to man, Ge 15:1-8; Ex 24:6-8; Heb 9:6. Eminent believers among the covenant people of God were favored by the establishment of particular covenants, in which he promised them certain temporal favors; but these were only renewals to individuals of the "everlasting covenant," with temporal types and pledges of its fulfilment. Thus God covenanted with Noah, Abraham, and David, Ge 9:8-9; 17:4-5; Ps 89:3-4, and gave them faith in the Savior afterwards to be revealed, Ro 3:25; Heb 9:15.
In common discourse, we usually say the old and new testaments, or covenants-the covenant between God and the posterity of Abraham, and that which he has made with believers by Jesus Christ; because these two covenants contain eminently all the rest, which are consequences, branches, or explanations of them. The most solemn and perfect of the covenants of God with men is that made through the mediation of our Redeemer, which must subsist to the end of time. The Son of God is the guarantee of it; it is confirmed with his blood; the end and object of it is eternal life, and its constitution and laws are more exalted than those of the former covenant.
Theologians use the phrase "covenant of works" to denote the constitution established by God with man before the fall, the promise of which was eternal life on condition of obedience, Ho 6:7; Ro 3:27; Ga 2:19. They also use the phrase, "covenant of grace or redemption," to denote the arrangement made in the counsels of eternity, in virtue of which the Father forgives and saves sinful men redeemed by the death of the Son.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you
The word of Jehovah came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram; I am your shield. Your reward shall be very great. Abram said: O Jehovah God, what will you give me? I continue childless! The heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus. read more. Abram also said: You have given me no offspring. So a slave born in my house is to be my heir. The word of Jehovah came to him: This man shall not be your heir. No one but your very own issue shall be your heir. He brought him outside and said: Look toward heaven and count the stars. Are you able to count them? He continued: So shall your descendants be. He believed in Jehovah. Jehovah considered Abram's faith as his righteousness. Then God said to him: I AM JEHOVAH, who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess. Abram replied: O Jehovah God, how will I know that I shall possess it?
This is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. You will no longer be called Abram (Exalted Father). Your name will be Abraham (means Father of Many). I have made you a father of many nations.
Moses took half of the blood of the animals and put it in bowls. The other half he threw against the altar. He took the book of the covenant, in which Jehovah's commandments were written, and read it aloud to the people. They said: We will obey Jehovah. We will do everything that he has commanded. read more. Moses took the blood from the bowls and sprinkled it on the people. Next, he told them: With this blood Jehovah makes his agreement with you.
I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant: I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations.'
This is my promise to them,says Jehovah. My Spirit is on you and my words that I put in your mouth will not leave you. They will be with your children and your grandchildren permanently, says Jehovah
This is the covenant (agreement) that I will make with Israel after those days, declares Jehovah. I will put my teachings (Law) inside them. I will write those teachings (Law) on their hearts (inner man) (mind) (will) (conscience) (understanding). I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will each person teach his neighbors or his relatives by saying: 'Know Jehovah.' All of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me, declares Jehovah. I will forgive their wickedness and I will no longer hold (remember) their sins against them.
Like Adam, they have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there.
God displayed Christ publicly as propitiation (atonement) by his blood through faith. It demonstrated his righteousness. It was through the forbearance of God that he passed by the sins that had taken place before.
Where is the boasting? It is excluded. Is it by law? Is it by works? No, it is by a principle of faith.
I, through the law, died to the law that I might live to (for) God.
Brothers, I speak like a man speaks: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He did not say to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ. read more. Now this I say: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. If the inheritance is based on the Law, it is no longer based on a promise. However God granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
This contains an allegory (symbolic drama). These women symbolize two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
Jesus became the guarantee of a better covenant.
Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry. The covenant that he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things. If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would not have been a need for a second one. read more. God finds fault with his people and said to them: 'The time is coming,' says Jehovah, 'when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. (Jeremiah 31:31) It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They were not faithful to the covenant I made with them, and so I paid no attention to them. This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,' said Jehovah: 'I will put my teachings (laws) in their mind, I will write them upon their hearts (deep thought) (understanding). I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jeremiah 31:32) They will not teach a neighbor or brother saying: Know Jehovah. All will know me from the little one among them to the great among them. (Hosea 2:20) I will forgive their wickedness and I will remember their sins no more.' By calling this covenant new, he has made the first one old (obsolete). That which grows old and aged will soon disappear.
When these things are prepared, the priests enter the outer room often to carry on their services.
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance.
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance. A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies. read more. A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives. The first covenant was dedicated with blood. When Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, He said: This is the blood of the covenant that God has presented to you. He sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of service. Almost all things are by the Law purified with blood. There is no forgiveness unless blood is poured out. It was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these. But the heavenly things should be cleansed with better sacrifices than these.
You have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks in a better way than the blood of Abel.
Easton
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 (Ge 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 (Ge 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 (Ge 31:50), and hence it was called a "covenant of the Lord" (1Sa 20:8). The marriage compact is called "the covenant of God" (Pr 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 (Ge 9; Jer 33:20, "my covenant"). We have an account of God's covernant with Abraham (Ge 17, comp. Le 26:42), of the covenant of the priesthood (Nu 25:12-13; De 33:9; Ne 13:29), and of the covenant of Sinai (Ex 34:27-28; Le 26:15), which was afterwards renewed at different times in the history of Israel (De 29; Jos 1:18; 2Ch 15; 23; 29; 34; Ezr 10; Ne 9). In conformity with human custom, God's covenant is said to be confirmed with an oath (De 4:31; Ps 89:3), and to be accompanied by a sign (Ge 9; 17). Hence the covenant is called God's "counsel," "oath," "promise" (Ps 89:3-4; 105:8-11; Heb 6:13-20; Lu 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 (Ex 31:16), circumcision (Ge 17:9-10), 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 (Nu 18:19; Le 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 (Ro 5:12-19). (2.) The promise was "life" (Mt 19:16-17; Ga 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 (Ge 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 (Joh 17:4,6,9; Isa 42:6; Ps 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 (Heb 10:5; Isa 42:1-7); (b) support in the work (Lu 22:43); and (c) a glorious reward in the exaltation of Christ when his work was done (Php 2:6-11), his investiture with universal dominion (Joh 5:22; Ps 110:1), his having the administration of the covenant committed into his hands (Mt 28:18; Joh 1:12; 17:2; Ac 2:33), and in the final salvation of all his people (Isa 35:10; 53:10-11; Jer 31:33; Tit 1:2). (2.) On the part of the Son the conditions were (a) his becoming incarnate (Ga 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 (Ps 40:8; Isa 42:21; Joh 9:4-5), and (d) suffering its penalty (Isa 53; 2Co 5:21; Ga 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.)
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Jehovah God commanded the man: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden. But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When you eat of it you will surely die.
Then God said to Abraham: As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.
They made a covenant at Beer-sheba. Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines.
If you mistreat my daughters or marry other women behind my back, remember that God stands as a witness between you and me.
The Israelites must observe the Sabbath and celebrate the Sabbath throughout their generations as a long lasting covenant.
Jehovah told Moses: Put these laws in writing, as part of my agreement (covenant) with Israel. Moses was there with Jehovah forty days and forty nights. He did not eat bread or drink water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments (Ten Words).
Season every grain offering with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offering. All of your offerings must have salt.
if you reject my laws and look at my rules with disgust, if you reject my promise by disobeying my commandments,
I will remember my promise to Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham. I will also remember the land.
I have given you, your sons, and your daughters all the holy contributions which the Israelites offer to Jehovah. These contributions will be yours from generation to generation. It is an everlasting promise of salt in Jehovah's presence for you and your descendants.
Tell Phinehas that I now make a promise of peace to him. My promise is that he and his descendants will be priests for a very long time because he stood up for his God. He made peace with Jehovah for the Israelites.
Jehovah your God is a merciful God. He will not forsake you. He will not destroy you, nor forget the covenant he made with your fathers.
Who said of his father and mother: 'I have not seen them; and he did not acknowledge his brothers, nor did he regard his own sons. They observed your word and kept your covenant.'
Whoever rebels against your commandment, and does not listen to your words in all that you command him must be put to death. Be strong and of a good courage.
They went to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel: We come from a distant country, make a treaty with us.
Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live. The leaders of the congregation ratified it by an oath.
Nahash the Ammonite came up and put his forces in position for attacking Jabesh in Gilead. The men of Jabesh said to Nahash: Make an agreement with us and we will be your servants.
Therefore deal kindly with your servant. You brought your servant into a covenant of Jehovah with you. But if there is iniquity in me kill me yourself. Why should you take me to your father?'
Keep them in mind, O my God, because they have put shame on the priests' name and on the agreement of the priests and the Levites.
I am pleased to do your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.
I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant:
I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant:
I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant: I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations.'
He has remembered his covenant forever! It is the word he commanded to a thousand generations. He made this covenant with Abraham and gave his oath to Isaac. read more. He confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant. He said: I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance to you.
([Psalm of David]) Jehovah said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.
She is unfaithful to her own husband and forgets her sacred vows to God.
Because you have said: We have made a covenant with death, and with the grave we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge. We have hidden under falsehood!
Your covenant with death will be annulled. Your agreement with the grave will not stand when the overflowing scourge passes through. Then you will be trampled down by it.
They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever. They will be forever free from sorrow and grief.
Here is my servant, whom I have strengthened. Here is the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation. He will not shout or raise his voice or make loud speeches in the streets. read more. He will not break off a bent reed nor extinguish a flickering lamp. He will bring lasting justice to all. He will not lose hope or courage. He will establish justice on the earth. Distant lands eagerly wait for his law. God created the heavens and stretched them out. He fashioned the earth and all that lives there. He gave life and breath to all its people. And now Jehovah God says to his servant: I, Jehovah, have called you and have given you power to see that justice is done on earth. I will make a covenant with all peoples and bring light (truth) (light of instruction) (Psalm 27:1) to the nations through you.
I, Jehovah, have called you and have given you power to see that justice is done on earth. I will make a covenant with all peoples and bring light (truth) (light of instruction) (Psalm 27:1) to the nations through you. You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons.
Jehovah is a God who is eager to save. He exalted his laws and teachings, and he wanted his people to honor them.
It was Jehovah's will to allow him to be crushed. Even though Jehovah makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of Jehovah will prosper in his hand. After his suffering he will see the light and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many. He will bear their iniquities.
This is my promise to them,says Jehovah. My Spirit is on you and my words that I put in your mouth will not leave you. They will be with your children and your grandchildren permanently, says Jehovah
This is the covenant (agreement) that I will make with Israel after those days, declares Jehovah. I will put my teachings (Law) inside them. I will write those teachings (Law) on their hearts (inner man) (mind) (will) (conscience) (understanding). I will be their God, and they will be my people.
This is the covenant (agreement) that I will make with Israel after those days, declares Jehovah. I will put my teachings (Law) inside them. I will write those teachings (Law) on their hearts (inner man) (mind) (will) (conscience) (understanding). I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will each person teach his neighbors or his relatives by saying: 'Know Jehovah.' All of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me, declares Jehovah. I will forgive their wickedness and I will no longer hold (remember) their sins against them.
If you break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time,
If you break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time,
This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'I put a condition on the covenant I made to your ancestors when I brought them from Egypt, where they were slaves. I said: Every seven years each of you must free any Hebrews who sold themselves to you. When they have served you for six years, you must set them free. But your ancestors refused to obey me or listen to me.
I will hand over the people who have rejected my covenant. They have not kept the terms of the covenant they made in my presence when they cut a calf in two and passed between its pieces. I will hand over the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the palace officials, the priests, and all the common people who passed between the pieces of the calf.
One man said: Master, what good thing must I do, so that I may have eternal life? Jesus answered him: Why are you questioning me about what is good? There is one who is good. If you desire life, obey the Law.
Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying: All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel. He has visited his people and brought them redemption. (Psalm 72:18) He raised up a horn of salvation (power of deliverance) for us in the house of his servant David read more. He spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from ages past. He provided salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. He shows mercy towards our fathers and remembers his holy covenant. It was the oath he spoke to Abraham our father. He gave us deliverance out of the hand of our enemies so we could serve him without fear. May we serve in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
An angel came to him and gave him strength.
He gave the right to become children of God to all who received him. Even to those who believe in his name.
The Father does not judge any man for he has given all judgment to the Son.
We must work the works of him that sent me while it is day. When the night comes no man can work. When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
You have given him authority over all flesh that he may give everlasting life to the ones whom you have given him.
I glorified you on the earth. I accomplished the work you gave me to do.
I taught your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours and you gave them to me. They have lived by your word.
I pray for them. I do not pray for the world. I pray only for those you gave me, for they are yours.
He is exalted to the right hand of God. He has received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father. So he poured out what you now see and hear.
Therefore, through one-man sin entered into the world, and death through sin. So death passed to all men, for all have sinned. Until the law sin was in the world. Sin is not imputed (put on account) when there is no law. read more. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even for those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression. Adam is in some ways like Christ who came later. But the two are not the same, because God's gift (spiritual endowment) is not like Adam's sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But God's grace is much greater, and so is his gift to so many people through the loving-kindness of the one man, Jesus Christ. And there is a difference between God's gift (spiritual endowment) and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the guilty judgment; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of righteousness. It was by the transgression of the one that death ruled as king through that one. Even more so shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, rule as kings in life by the one, Jesus Christ. The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men. The result of righteousness was justification (acquittal), which brings life for all men. Through the disobedience of one man many have been made sinners. Yet through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous.
He made the one who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf. That way we might become the righteousness of God in him.
The Law is not based on faith. He that does them will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It is written; Cursed is everyone who is hung on a stake.
When the full time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
He existed in the form (shape and nature) of God but did not try to be equal with God. He did not even consider it! He emptied (humbled) himself by taking the form of a servant. He was made in the likeness of men. read more. He obtained the appearance as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient even to death, yes, death on the stake. For this reason God highly exalted him, and gave to him the name that is above every name, (Relative authority given by Jehovah God, the Father to His Son) (Philipians 2:11) that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
It is in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal.
When God made a promise to Abraham, he could swear by no one greater then himself, so he swore by himself. He said: I will surely bless you and give you many descendants. read more. After waiting patiently, Abraham received the promise. Men swear by someone greater then themselves: and an oath for confirmation to them puts an end to the problem. When God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this to offer encouragement so we may rely on the hope offered to us. We have taken refuge in that hope and it is impossible for God to lie. These two things can never be changed. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of life. It is a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain. That is where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry. The covenant that he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things.
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance.
When Christ came into the world he said: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but you have prepared a body for me.
You have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks in a better way than the blood of Abel.
Fausets
Hebrew berit, Greek diatheekee. From baarah "to divide" or" cut in two" a victim (Gesenius), between the parts of which the covenanting parties passed (Ge 15:9, etc.; Jer 34:18-19). Probably the covenanting parties eating together (which barah sometimes means) of the feast after the sacrifice entered into the idea; compare Ge 31:46-47, Jacob and Laban.
A COVENANT OF SALT, taken in connection with the eastern phrase for friendship, "to eat salt together," confirms this view. Salt, the antidote to corruption, was used in every sacrifice, to denote purity and perpetuity (Le 2:13; Mr 9:49). So a perpetual covenant or appointment (Nu 18:19; 2Ch 13:5). The covenant alluded to in Ho 6:7 margin is not with Adam (KJV "men" is better, compare Ps 82:7), for nowhere else is the expression "covenant" applied to Adam's relation to God, though the thing is implied in Ro 5:12-19; 1Co 15:22; but the Sinaitic covenant which Israel transgressed as lightly as "men" break their every day covenants with their fellow men, or else they have transgressed like other "men," though distinguished above all men by extraordinary spiritual privileges.
Covenant in the strict sense, as requiring two independent contracting parties, cannot apply to a covenant between God and man. His covenant must be essentially one of gratuitous promise, an act of pure grace on His part (Ga 3:15, etc.). So in Ps 89:28 "covenant" is explained by the parallel word "mercy." So God's covenant not to destroy the earth again by water (Genesis 9; Jer 33:20). But the covenant, on God's part gratuitous, requires man's acceptance of and obedience to it, as the consequence of His grace experienced, and the end which He designs to His glory, not that it is the meritorious condition of it. The Septuagint renders berit by diatheekee (not suntheekee, "a mutual compact"), i.e. a gracious disposal by His own sovereign will. So Lu 22:29, "I appoint (diatithemai, cognate to diatheekee, by testamentary or gratuitous disposition) unto you a kingdom."
The legal covenant of Sinai came in as a parenthesis (pareiselthee; Ro 5:20) between the promise to Abraham and its fulfillment in his promised seed, Christ. "It was added because of the (so Greek) transgressions" (Ga 3:19), i.e. to bring them, and so man's great need, into clearer view (Ro 3:20; 4:15; 5:13; 7:7-9). For this end its language was that, of a more stipulating kind as between two parties mutually covenanting, "the man that doeth these things shall live by them" (Ro 10:5). But the promise to David (2 Samuel 7; Psalm 89; 2; 72; Isaiah 11) took up again that to Abraham, defining the line, the Davidic, as that in which the promised seed should come.
As the promise found its fulfillment in Christ, so also the law, for He fulfilled it for us that He might be "the Lord our righteousness," "the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Jer 23:6; 1Co 1:30; Ro 10:4; Mt 3:15; 5:17; Isa 42:21; 45:24-25). In Heb 9:15-18 the gospel covenant is distinguished from the legal, as the New Testament contrasted with the Old Testament "Testament" is the better translation here, as bringing out the idea of diatheekee, God's gracious disposal or appointment of His blessings to His people, rather than suntheekee, mutual engagement between Him and them as though equals.
A human "testament" in this one respect illustrates the nature of the covenant; by death Christ chose to lose all the glory and blessings which are His, that we, who were under death's bondage, might inherit all. Thus the ideas of "mediator of the covenant," and "testator," meet in Him, who at once fulfills God's "covenant of promise," and graciously disposes to us all that is His. In most other passages "covenant" would on the whole be the better rendering. "Testament" for each of the two divisions of the Bible comes from the Latin Vulgate version. In Mt 26:28, "this is My blood of the new testament" would perhaps better be translated "covenant," for a testament does not require blood shedding. Still, here and in the original (Ex 24:8) quoted by Christ the idea of testamentary disposition enters.
For his blood was the seal of the testament. See below. Moses by "covenant" means one giving the heavenly inheritance (typified by Canaan) after the testator's death, which was represented by the sacrificial blood he sprinkled. Paul by testament means one with conditions, and so far a covenant, the conditions being fulfilled by Christ, not by us. We must indeed believe, but even this God works in His people (Eph 2:8). Heb 9:17, "a testament is in force after men are dead," just as the Old Testament covenant was in force only in connection with slain sacrificial victims which represent the death of Christ. The fact of the death must be "brought forward" (Heb 9:16) to give effect to the will. The word" death," not sacrifice or slaying, shows that "testament" is meant in Heb 9:15-20. These requisites of a "testament" here concur:
1. The Testator.
2. The heirs.
3. Goods.
4. The Testator's death.
5. The fact of His death brought forward. In Mt 26:28 two additional requisites appear.
6. Witnesses, His disciples.
7. The seal, the sacrament of the Lord's supper, the sign of His blood, wherewith the testament is sealed. The heir is ordinarily the successor of him who dies, and who so ceases to have possession. But Christ comes to life again, and is Himself (including all that He had), in the power of tits now endless life, His people's inheritance; in His being heir (Heb 1:2; Ps 2:8) they are heirs.
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He (God) said to him: Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
He (God) said to him: Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
Jacob said to his relatives: Gather some stones. They took stones, put them into a pile, and ate there by the pile of stones.
Jacob said to his relatives: Gather some stones. They took stones, put them into a pile, and ate there by the pile of stones. In his language, Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha (Witness Pile), but Jacob called it Galeed.
In his language, Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha (Witness Pile), but Jacob called it Galeed.
Moses took the blood from the bowls and sprinkled it on the people. Next, he told them: With this blood Jehovah makes his agreement with you.
Moses took the blood from the bowls and sprinkled it on the people. Next, he told them: With this blood Jehovah makes his agreement with you.
Season every grain offering with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offering. All of your offerings must have salt.
Season every grain offering with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offering. All of your offerings must have salt.
I have given you, your sons, and your daughters all the holy contributions which the Israelites offer to Jehovah. These contributions will be yours from generation to generation. It is an everlasting promise of salt in Jehovah's presence for you and your descendants.
I have given you, your sons, and your daughters all the holy contributions which the Israelites offer to Jehovah. These contributions will be yours from generation to generation. It is an everlasting promise of salt in Jehovah's presence for you and your descendants.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
But you will certainly die like humans and fall like any prince.
But you will certainly die like humans and fall like any prince.
I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore. My covenant will stand firm with him.
I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore. My covenant will stand firm with him.
Jehovah is a God who is eager to save. He exalted his laws and teachings, and he wanted his people to honor them.
Jehovah is a God who is eager to save. He exalted his laws and teachings, and he wanted his people to honor them.
It will be said of me: 'Certainly, righteousness and strength are found in Jehovah alone. All who are angry with him will come to him and be ashamed.
It will be said of me: 'Certainly, righteousness and strength are found in Jehovah alone. All who are angry with him will come to him and be ashamed. All the descendants of Israel will be declared righteous, and they will praise Jehovah.'
All the descendants of Israel will be declared righteous, and they will praise Jehovah.'
In His days Judah will be saved. Israel will dwell securely. This is his name by which he will be called, Jehovah Is Our Righteousness.
In His days Judah will be saved. Israel will dwell securely. This is his name by which he will be called, Jehovah Is Our Righteousness.
If you break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time,
If you break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time,
I will hand over the people who have rejected my covenant. They have not kept the terms of the covenant they made in my presence when they cut a calf in two and passed between its pieces.
I will hand over the people who have rejected my covenant. They have not kept the terms of the covenant they made in my presence when they cut a calf in two and passed between its pieces. I will hand over the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the palace officials, the priests, and all the common people who passed between the pieces of the calf.
I will hand over the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the palace officials, the priests, and all the common people who passed between the pieces of the calf.
Like Adam, they have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there.
Like Adam, they have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there.
Jesus answered emphatically: This is the proper way to do everything that God requires. This is the way it must be!
Jesus answered emphatically: This is the proper way to do everything that God requires. This is the way it must be!
Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill (perfect) (execute) (accomplish).
Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill (perfect) (execute) (accomplish).
This is (represents) (means) (exemplifies) my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
This is (represents) (means) (exemplifies) my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
This is (represents) (means) (exemplifies) my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
This is (represents) (means) (exemplifies) my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
I assigned a kingdom to you just as my Father assigned it to me.
I assigned a kingdom to you just as my Father assigned it to me.
No flesh will be justified before God by works of the law. Knowledge of sin comes from the law.
No flesh will be justified before God by works of the law. Knowledge of sin comes from the law.
The law produces wrath (violent passion) (indignation). But where there is no law there is no sin.
The law produces wrath (violent passion) (indignation). But where there is no law there is no sin.
Therefore, through one-man sin entered into the world, and death through sin. So death passed to all men, for all have sinned.
Therefore, through one-man sin entered into the world, and death through sin. So death passed to all men, for all have sinned. Until the law sin was in the world. Sin is not imputed (put on account) when there is no law.
Until the law sin was in the world. Sin is not imputed (put on account) when there is no law.
Until the law sin was in the world. Sin is not imputed (put on account) when there is no law.
Until the law sin was in the world. Sin is not imputed (put on account) when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even for those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression. Adam is in some ways like Christ who came later.
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even for those who had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression. Adam is in some ways like Christ who came later. But the two are not the same, because God's gift (spiritual endowment) is not like Adam's sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But God's grace is much greater, and so is his gift to so many people through the loving-kindness of the one man, Jesus Christ.
But the two are not the same, because God's gift (spiritual endowment) is not like Adam's sin. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that one man. But God's grace is much greater, and so is his gift to so many people through the loving-kindness of the one man, Jesus Christ. And there is a difference between God's gift (spiritual endowment) and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the guilty judgment; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of righteousness.
And there is a difference between God's gift (spiritual endowment) and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the guilty judgment; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of righteousness. It was by the transgression of the one that death ruled as king through that one. Even more so shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, rule as kings in life by the one, Jesus Christ.
It was by the transgression of the one that death ruled as king through that one. Even more so shall those who receive the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, rule as kings in life by the one, Jesus Christ. The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men. The result of righteousness was justification (acquittal), which brings life for all men.
The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men. The result of righteousness was justification (acquittal), which brings life for all men. Through the disobedience of one man many have been made sinners. Yet through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous.
Through the disobedience of one man many have been made sinners. Yet through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous. The law came that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased God's loving kindness increased even more.
The law came that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased God's loving kindness increased even more.
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! I had not known sin except through the law. For I had not known coveting except the law had said: You should not covet.
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! I had not known sin except through the law. For I had not known coveting except the law had said: You should not covet. But sin, finding occasion, worked out in me through the commandment all manner of coveting. Apart from the law sin is dead.
But sin, finding occasion, worked out in me through the commandment all manner of coveting. Apart from the law sin is dead. I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who exerts active faith.
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who exerts active faith. Moses writes down the righteousness that is of the law. The man who has practiced those things shall live by them.
Moses writes down the righteousness that is of the law. The man who has practiced those things shall live by them.
Brothers, I speak like a man speaks: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.
Brothers, I speak like a man speaks: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.
What then is the law? It was added (to cause awareness of sin) because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
What then is the law? It was added (to cause awareness of sin) because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
By grace (Greek: charis, divine favor, loving-kindness) you have been saved through faith. It is not from you. It is the gift from God!
By grace (Greek: charis, divine favor, loving-kindness) you have been saved through faith. It is not from you. It is the gift from God!
He has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, through whom he made the ages (Greek: aion: ages of time, perpetuity, worlds, generations, human entities).
He has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, through whom he made the ages (Greek: aion: ages of time, perpetuity, worlds, generations, human entities).
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance.
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance.
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance.
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance. A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies.
A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies.
A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies.
A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies.
A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies.
A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies. A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives.
A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives.
A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives.
A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives.
A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives.
A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives. The first covenant was dedicated with blood.
The first covenant was dedicated with blood. When Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
When Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, He said: This is the blood of the covenant that God has presented to you.
He said: This is the blood of the covenant that God has presented to you.
Hastings
The term is of frequent occurrence in the Bible, and is used in the general sense of a compact or agreement between parties, and also in the more technical and legal sense of an arrangement entered into by God, and confirmed or sealed with the due formalities. The Hebrew word (ber
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Jehovah God commanded the man: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden. But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When you eat of it you will surely die.
But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When you eat of it you will surely die.
But I will establish my covenant with you. You will enter the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you.
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you read more. and with every living creature that was with you, the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you, every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will the waters of a flood destroy all life. Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. God said: This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:
God said: This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I give you my rainbow in the clouds. It will be the sign of my covenant with the world of mankind. read more. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant with you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the long lasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. God said: This is the sign of the covenant I have established with all life on the earth.
Abram brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other. He did not cut the birds in two.
The sun went down and it was dark. A smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram. He said: To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
I will establish my covenant between us. I will greatly increase your numbers. Abram fell on his face and God said to him: read more. This is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. You will no longer be called Abram (Exalted Father). Your name will be Abraham (means Father of Many). I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful. I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as a long lasting covenant between us. It will be for your descendants after you, for the generations to come. I will be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
I will establish my covenant as a long lasting covenant between us. It will be for your descendants after you, for the generations to come. I will be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now a guest (alien) (foreigner) (stranger), I will give a long lasting possession to you and your descendants after you. I will be their God. read more. Then God said to Abraham: As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision. It will be the sign of the covenant between us. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised. This includes those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner, those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be a long lasting covenant. Any male not circumcised in the flesh will be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant. God continued: Do not call your wife Sarai any longer. Her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her. Abraham fell to his face. He laughed and said to himself: Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety? Abraham said to God: If only Ishmael might live under your blessing! God replied: Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son! You will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as a long lasting covenant for his descendants after him. Concerning Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him. I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac. Sarah will bear him to you by this time next year.
Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech. The two of them made a covenant.
Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends.
Now, let us make an agreement (covenant) and let it stand as a witness between you and me. Jacob took a stone and set it up as a marker. read more. Jacob said to his relatives: Gather some stones. They took stones, put them into a pile, and ate there by the pile of stones. In his language, Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha (Witness Pile), but Jacob called it Galeed. Laban said: This pile of stones stands as a witness between you and me today. This is why it was named Galeed, and also Mizpah (Watchtower), because he said: May Jehovah watch between you and me when we are unable to see each other.
and also Mizpah (Watchtower), because he said: May Jehovah watch between you and me when we are unable to see each other.
He offered a sacrifice on the mountain. He invited his relatives to eat the meal with him. They ate with him and spent the night on the mountain.
God heard their groaning. He remembered his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
If you will obey me and are faithful to the terms of my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my own special possession, for all the earth is mine.
Jehovah commanded Moses to tell the Israelites: You have seen how I have spoken to you from heaven. Do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gold to be worshiped in addition to me.
He took the book of the covenant, in which Jehovah's commandments were written, and read it aloud to the people. They said: We will obey Jehovah. We will do everything that he has commanded.
He took the book of the covenant, in which Jehovah's commandments were written, and read it aloud to the people. They said: We will obey Jehovah. We will do everything that he has commanded. Moses took the blood from the bowls and sprinkled it on the people. Next, he told them: With this blood Jehovah makes his agreement with you.
Jehovah said: Behold! I offer a covenant (promise) to perform signs and miracles for you that have never been done in all the earth. Neighboring nations will stand in fear and know that I was the one who did these marvelous things. I will force out the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. You must do what I command you today. read more. Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going. It will become a snare in your midst. Instead tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim. Do not worship any other god but Jehovah for his reputation is filled with zeal, and he is a God who demands exclusive devotion. Otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land. They would commit spiritual immorality (fornication) with their gods and sacrifice to their gods. Someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice. You might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might commit spiritual immorality (fornication) with their gods and cause your sons also to commit spiritual immorality with their gods. Do not make idol gods for yourself. Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you must eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib. This is because in that month you came out of Egypt. Every first male offspring is mine. The firstborn males of all your livestock, whether cattle, sheep, or goats are mine. It will cost you a sheep or a goat to buy back the firstborn donkey. If you do not buy it back, then you must break the donkey's neck. You must buy back every firstborn of your sons. No one may come into my presence without an offering. You may work six days. On the seventh day you must not work. Even during the time of plowing or harvesting you must not work on this day. Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the first grain from your wheat harvest. Celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the season. Three times a year all your men must come into the presence of the Sovereign Jehovah, the God of Israel. I will force nations out of your way and will expand your country's borders. No one will want to take away your land while you are gone three times a year to Jehovah's festivals. Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me at the same time you offer anything containing yeast. No part of the sacrifice at the Passover festival should be left over in the morning. I am Jehovah your God! You must bring the first part of your harvest to the place of worship. Do not boil a young goat in its mother's milk. Jehovah told Moses: Put these laws in writing, as part of my agreement (covenant) with Israel. Moses was there with Jehovah forty days and forty nights. He did not eat bread or drink water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments (Ten Words).
Season every grain offering with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offering. All of your offerings must have salt.
I will remember my promise to Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham. I will also remember the land.
Even when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or look at them with disgust. I will not reject or cancel my promise to them, because I am Jehovah their God.
I have given you, your sons, and your daughters all the holy contributions which the Israelites offer to Jehovah. These contributions will be yours from generation to generation. It is an everlasting promise of salt in Jehovah's presence for you and your descendants.
Jehovah did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, all of us here alive today.
When I went up on the mountain to get the stone tablets, the tablets of the promise that Jehovah made to you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights without food or water.
At the end of forty days and nights Jehovah gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant.
So I turned and came down from the mountain while the mountain was burning with fire. I carried the two stone tablets of the covenant in my two hands.
I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you shattered. You must place them in the Ark.'
Then I came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the Ark I had made. They are there just as Jehovah commanded me.
Cursed is the man who makes an idol or a molten image. It is an abomination to Jehovah! It is the secret work of the hands of the craftsman. All the people will answer: Amen.
These are the terms of the covenant that Jehovah commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab. All this was in addition to the covenant Jehovah made with them at Mount Sinai.
Keep the words of this covenant to do them that you may prosper in all that you do.
They went to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel: We come from a distant country, make a treaty with us.
Joshua made a covenant for the people that day at Shechem. He gave them laws and rules to follow.
He told the people: This stone will serve as our witness. It has heard all the words that Jehovah spoke to us. So it will be a witness against you, to keep you from rebelling against your God.
Jonathan made a covenant with David. He loved him as himself.
All the elders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made a sacred alliance with them. They anointed him, and he became king of Israel.
The priest Jehoiada had King Jehoash and the people make a covenant with Jehovah that they would be Jehovah's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.
The king stood beside the pillar and made a promise to Jehovah that he would follow Jehovah and obey his commands, instructions, and laws with all his heart and mind. He confirmed the terms of the promise written in this book. All the people joined in the promise.
Now I intend to make a pledge to Jehovah the God of Israel so that he may turn his burning anger away from us.
Let us make an agreement with our God to put away all the wives and all their children, if it seems right to my lord and to those who go in fear of the words of our God. Let it be done in keeping with the law.
They gave their word that they would put away their wives; and for their sin, they gave an offering of a male sheep of the flock.
You will have a binding agreement with the stones in the field, and wild animals will be at peace with you.
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.
Will he beg you to let him go? Will he plead with you for mercy?
Jehovah is intimate with those who respect him. He reveals the intent of his covenant to them.
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.
Honor your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth.
For they have come to an agreement united in thought. They form an alliance against you.
I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant:
It is to those who keep his covenant, and to those who remember to do his commandments.
He made this covenant with Abraham and gave his oath to Isaac.
She is unfaithful to her own husband and forgets her sacred vows to God.
My son, if you serve as surety for your friend and you give your pledge to him,
A man without understanding shakes hands and becomes surety for his friend.
Do not give pledges and be guarantors for debts.
Because you have said: We have made a covenant with death, and with the grave we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge. We have hidden under falsehood!
Your covenant with death will be annulled. Your agreement with the grave will not stand when the overflowing scourge passes through. Then you will be trampled down by it.
I, Jehovah, have called you and have given you power to see that justice is done on earth. I will make a covenant with all peoples and bring light (truth) (light of instruction) (Psalm 27:1) to the nations through you.
This is what Jehovah says: In the time of favor I will answer you. I will appoint you as my promise to the people. You will restore the land. You will make them inherit the desolate inheritance.
To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again.
Give ear and come to me; listen to me, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
This is my promise to them,says Jehovah. My Spirit is on you and my words that I put in your mouth will not leave you. They will be with your children and your grandchildren permanently, says Jehovah
For I, Jehovah, love justice. I hate robbery in the burnt offering. Therefore I will faithfully give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.
The time is coming, proclaims Jehovah, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
The time is coming, proclaims Jehovah, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
This is the covenant (agreement) that I will make with Israel after those days, declares Jehovah. I will put my teachings (Law) inside them. I will write those teachings (Law) on their hearts (inner man) (mind) (will) (conscience) (understanding). I will be their God, and they will be my people.
I will make an eternal promise to them that I will never stop blessing them. I will make them respect me so that they will never turn away from me.
At that time I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will do what is right and just throughout the land.
If you break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time, then my covenant may also be broken with David my servant so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, with the Levitical priests as my ministers.
Jehovah says: 'If My covenant for day and night do not stand and I have not established the fixed patterns of heaven and earth,
I will hand over the people who have rejected my covenant. They have not kept the terms of the covenant they made in my presence when they cut a calf in two and passed between its pieces.
They will ask for the way to Zion turning their faces in its direction. They will come to join themselves to Jehovah in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.
I will honor the covenant I made with you when you were young. I will make a covenant with you that will last forever.
I will renew my covenant with you, and you will know that I am Jehovah.
He broke his oath and the treaty he had made. He did all these things, and now he will not escape.'
I will now condemn you just as I condemned your ancestors in the Sinai Desert,' says the Lord Jehovah. I will take firm control of you and make you obey my covenant.
I will promise them peace. I will remove the wild animals from the land so that my sheep can live safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
I will take you from the nations and gather you from every country. I will bring you back to your own land.
Tell them: 'The Lord Jehovah says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from everywhere and bring them to their own land. I will form them into one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule all of them. They will no longer be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. read more. They will no longer dishonor themselves with their idols, with their detestable things, or with their rebellious acts. I will forgive them for all the times they turned away from me and sinned. I will cleanse them so that they will be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be their king. All of them will have one shepherd. They will live by my rules, and they will obey my laws. They will live in the land that I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They, their children, and their grandchildren will live in it for a very long time. My servant David will be their prince for a very long time. I will promise them peace. This will be a long lasting promise. I will establish them and make them increase in number. I will put my holy place among them for a very long time. My dwelling place will be with them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I, Jehovah, have set Israel apart as holy, because my holy place will be among them permanently.'
He will make a firm covenant with many for one week (time period of seven). In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offerings to cease. The one that makes desolate will come upon the wing of abominations. At the end that which is decreed will be poured out upon the one lying desolate.
The overwhelming forces will be overwhelmed from before him, and will be broken after the prince of the covenant is destroyed.
Then king of the north will return to his land with great wealth. His heart will be against the holy covenant. He will do what he pleases and return to his own land.
For ships of Kittim will come against him. He will be grieved and will return. He will have indignation against the holy covenant and will do what he pleases. He will even return, and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.
Jehovah continued: For the many transgressions of Tyre I will not withdraw punishment! They captured all the people and delivered them to Edom. They did not remember the brotherly covenant.
I set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. This is because of the blood of your covenant!
You ask: Why do you not accept our offerings? It is because Jehovah is a witness between you and the wife of your youth. The one to whom you have been unfaithful! She is your companion, the wife of your marriage vows.
Behold, I send my messenger! He will prepare the way before me. Seek Jehovah! He will suddenly come to his Temple along with the messenger of the covenant. He is one you desire, behold, he comes, said Jehovah of Hosts.
Behold, I send my messenger! He will prepare the way before me. Seek Jehovah! He will suddenly come to his Temple along with the messenger of the covenant. He is one you desire, behold, he comes, said Jehovah of Hosts.
This is (represents) (means) (exemplifies) my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
He said: This means (represents) my blood of the covenant given for men.
You will be without voice or language till the day when these things happen. Your lack of faith in what I say has caused this.
Then he took the cup saying: This represents the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant that God made with our fathers. He said to Abraham: 'All the families of the earth will be blessed in your seed.'
The high priest asked: Are these things so?
He gave him the covenant of circumcision. Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became father to Jacob and Jacob fathered the twelve family heads.
They are Israelites and the adoption belongs to them. They have the glory of the covenants. The law was given to them along with the service and promises.
In this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion and will remove ungodliness from Jacob.
He also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant. This is a covenant not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Brothers, I speak like a man speaks: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.
Brothers, I speak like a man speaks: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.
This contains an allegory (symbolic drama). These women symbolize two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
You were separate from Christ at that time, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel. You were strangers from the covenants of the promise. You had no hope and were without God in the world.
God has saved us and called us with a holy calling. This is not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace that was granted us in Christ Jesus, from all eternity.
When God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he confirmed it with an oath.
Jesus became the guarantee of a better covenant.
Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry. The covenant that he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things.
Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry. The covenant that he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things. If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would not have been a need for a second one. read more. God finds fault with his people and said to them: 'The time is coming,' says Jehovah, 'when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. (Jeremiah 31:31) It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They were not faithful to the covenant I made with them, and so I paid no attention to them. This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,' said Jehovah: 'I will put my teachings (laws) in their mind, I will write them upon their hearts (deep thought) (understanding). I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jeremiah 31:32) They will not teach a neighbor or brother saying: Know Jehovah. All will know me from the little one among them to the great among them. (Hosea 2:20) I will forgive their wickedness and I will remember their sins no more.' By calling this covenant new, he has made the first one old (obsolete). That which grows old and aged will soon disappear.
It had a golden incense burner. The Ark of the Covenant was completely covered with gold. It contained the golden pot that had the manna, and the rod of Aaron that had sprouted, and the tables of the covenant.
A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies. A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives.
He said: This is the blood of the covenant that God has presented to you.
What about those who despise the Son of God? Those who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant that purified them from sin? Those who insult the Spirit of grace? Think how much worse the punishment they deserve will be!
Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,
Morish
To this subject as spoken of in scripture there are two branches:
1. man's covenant with his fellow, or nation with nation, in which the terms are mutually considered and agreed to: it is then ratified by an oath, or by some token, before witnesses. Such a covenant is alluded to in Ga 3:15; if a man's covenant be confirmed it cannot be disannulled or added to. When Abraham bought the field of Ephron in Machpelah, he paid the money "in the audience of the sons of Heth" as witnesses, and it was thus made sure unto him. Ge 23:16. In the covenant Jacob made with Laban, they gathered a heap of stones to be witness between them, and "they did eat there upon the heap." Ge 31:46. When the Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the heads of Israel, "the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord, and . . . sware unto them." Jos 9:14-15. So to this day, if a stranger in the East can get the head of a tribe to eat with him, he knows he is safe, the eating is regarded as a covenant. In 2Ch 13:5 we read of 'a covenant of salt;' and to eat salt together is also now regarded as a bond in the East.
2. The covenants made by God are of a different order. He makes His covenants from Himself, without consulting man. With Noah God made a covenant that he would not again destroy the world by a flood, and as a token of that covenant, He set the rainbow in the cloud. Ge 9:8-17. This kind of covenant takes the form of an unconditional promise. Such was God's covenant with Abraham, first as to his natural posterity, Ge 15:4-6; and secondly, as to his seed, Christ. Ge 22:15-18. He gave him also the covenant of circumcision, Ge 17:10-14; Ac 7:8,
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Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you read more. and with every living creature that was with you, the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you, every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will the waters of a flood destroy all life. Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. God said: This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I give you my rainbow in the clouds. It will be the sign of my covenant with the world of mankind. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant with you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the long lasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. God said: This is the sign of the covenant I have established with all life on the earth.
The word of Jehovah came to him: This man shall not be your heir. No one but your very own issue shall be your heir. He brought him outside and said: Look toward heaven and count the stars. Are you able to count them? He continued: So shall your descendants be. read more. He believed in Jehovah. Jehovah considered Abram's faith as his righteousness.
This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision. It will be the sign of the covenant between us. read more. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised. This includes those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner, those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be a long lasting covenant. Any male not circumcised in the flesh will be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant.
The angel of Jehovah called to Abraham from heaven a second time. He said: I am taking an oath on my own name, declares Jehovah, that because you have done this and have not refused to give me your son, your only son, read more. I will certainly bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of their enemies' cities. All the nations will ask me to bless them as I have blessed your descendants. This is because you obeyed my command.'
Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard.
Jacob said to his relatives: Gather some stones. They took stones, put them into a pile, and ate there by the pile of stones.
Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people. They said: Keep all the commandments that I command you today.
Carefully obey Jehovah your God. Faithfully follow all his commandments that I give you today. If you do this Jehovah your God will place you high above all the other nations in the world.
The men sampled their provisions but did not ask for counsel from Jehovah. Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live. The leaders of the congregation ratified it by an oath.
Do you not know that Jehovah, the God of Israel, made an unbreakable covenant with David, giving him and his descendants kingship over Israel from generation to generation?
He gave him the covenant of circumcision. Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became father to Jacob and Jacob fathered the twelve family heads.
He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while he was not circumcised. That way he could be the father of all those who believe, though they are not circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them.
Brothers, I speak like a man speaks: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He did not say to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ. read more. Now this I say: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
Smith
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.
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,
or between individuals,
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,
and an oath was sworn.
A sign or witness of the covenant was sometimes framed, such a gift,
or a pillar or heap of stones erected.
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He said: You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well. Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath.
Now, let us make an agreement (covenant) and let it stand as a witness between you and me.
If you mistreat my daughters or marry other women behind my back, remember that God stands as a witness between you and me.
This pile of stones and this marker stand as witnesses that I will not go past the pile of stones to harm you, and that you will not go past the pile of stones or marker to harm me.
They went to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel: We come from a distant country, make a treaty with us.
Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live. The leaders of the congregation ratified it by an oath.
I will hand over the people who have rejected my covenant. They have not kept the terms of the covenant they made in my presence when they cut a calf in two and passed between its pieces. I will hand over the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the palace officials, the priests, and all the common people who passed between the pieces of the calf.
Watsons
COVENANT. The Greek word ??????? occurs often in the Septuagint, as the translation of a Hebrew word, which signifies covenant: it occurs also in the Gospels and the Epistles; and it is rendered in our English Bibles sometimes covenant, sometimes testament. The Greek word, according to its etymology, and according to classical use, may denote a testament, a disposition, as well as a covenant; and the Gospel may be called a testament, because it is a signification of the will of our Saviour ratified by his death, and because it conveys blessings to be enjoyed after his death. These reasons for giving the dispensation of the Gospel the name of a testament appeared to our translators so striking, that they have rendered ??????? more frequently by the word testament, than by the word covenant. Yet the train of argument, where ??????? occurs, generally appears to proceed upon its meaning a covenant; and therefore, although, when we delineate the nature of the Gospel, the beautiful idea of its being a testament, is not to be lost sight of, yet we are to remember that the word testament, which we read in the Gospels and Epistles, is the translation of a word which the sense requires to be rendered covenant. A covenant implies two parties, and mutual stipulations. The new covenant must derive its name from something in the nature of the stipulations between the parties different from that which existed before; so that we cannot understand the propriety of the name, new, without looking back to what is called the old, or first. On examining the passages in Galatians 3, in 2 Corinthians 3, and in Hebrews 8-10, where the old and the new covenant are contrasted, it will be found that the old covenant means the dispensation given by Moses to the children of Israel; and the new covenant the dispensation of the Gospel published by Jesus Christ; and that the object of the Apostle is to illustrate the superior excellence of the latter dispensation. But, in order to preserve the consistency of the Apostle's writings, it is necessary to remember that there are two different lights in which the former dispensation may be viewed. Christians appear to draw the line between the old and the new covenant, according to the light in which they view that dispensation. It may be considered merely as a method of publishing the moral law to a particular nation; and then with whatever solemnity it was delivered, and with whatever cordiality it was accepted, it is not a covenant that could give life. For, being nothing more than what divines call a covenant of works, a directory of conduct requiring by its nature entire personal obedience, promising life to those who yielded that obedience, but making no provision for transgressors, it left under a curse "every one that continued not in all things that were written in the book of the law to do them." This is the essential imperfection of what is called the covenant of works, the name given in theology to that transaction, in which it is conceived that the supreme Lord of the universe promised to his creature, man, that he would reward that obedience to his law, which, without any such promise, was due to him as the Creator.
No sooner had Adam broken the covenant of works, than a promise of a final deliverance from the evils incurred by the breach of it was given. This promise was the foundation of that transaction which Almighty God, in treating with Abraham, condescends to call "my covenant with thee," and which, upon this authority, has received in theology the name of the Abrahamic covenant. Upon the one part, Abraham, whose faith was counted to him for righteousness, received this charge from God, "Walk before me, and be thou perfect;" upon the other part, the God whom he believed, and whose voice he obeyed, beside promising other blessings to him and his seed, uttered these significant words, "In thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." In this transaction, then, there was the essence of a covenant; for there were mutual stipulations between two parties; and there was superadded, as a seal of the covenant, the rite of circumcision, which, being prescribed by God, was a confirmation of his promise to all who complied with it, and being submitted to by Abraham, was, on his part, an acceptance of the covenant.
The Abrahamic covenant appears, from the nature of the stipulations, to be more than a covenant of works; and, as it was not confined to Abraham, but extended to his seed, it could not be disannulled by any subsequent transactions, which fell short of a fulfilment of the blessing promised. The law of Moses, which was given to the seed of Abraham four hundred and thirty years after, did not come up to the terms of that covenant even with regard to them, for, in its form it was a covenant of works, and to other nations it did not directly convey any blessing. But although the Mosaic dispensation did not fulfil the Abrahamic covenant, it was so far from setting that covenant aside, that it cherished the expectation of its being fulfilled: for it continued the rite of circumcision, which was the seal of the covenant; and in those ceremonies which it enjoined, there was a shadow, a type, an obscure representation, of the promised blessing, Lu 1:72-73.
Here, then, is another view of the Mosaic dispensation. "It was added, because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made," Ga 3:19. By delivering a moral law, which men felt themselves unable to obey; by denouncing judgments which it did not of itself provide any effectual method of escaping; and by holding forth, in various oblations, the promised and expected Saviour; "it was a schoolmaster to bring men unto Christ." The covenant made with Abraham retained its force during the dispensation of the law, and was the end of that dispensation.
The views which have been given furnish the ground upon which we defend that established language which is familiar to our ears, that there are only two covenants essentially different, and opposite to one another, the covenant of works, made with the first man, intimated by the constitution of human nature to every one of his posterity, and having for its terms, "Do this and live;"
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He (God) said to him: Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon. Abram brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other. He did not cut the birds in two.
The sun went down and it was dark. A smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram. He said: To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
Abimelech came from Gerar with Ahuzzath, his friend (companion), and Phicol, the commander of his army, to see Isaac. Isaac asked: Why have you now come to see me? You were so unfriendly to me before and made me leave your country. read more. They answered: Now we know that Jehovah is with you. We think that there should be a solemn agreement between us. We want you to promise that you will not harm us. We did not harm you. We were kind to you and let you go peacefully. Now it is clear that Jehovah has blessed you. Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends.
Now, let us make an agreement (covenant) and let it stand as a witness between you and me. Jacob took a stone and set it up as a marker. read more. Jacob said to his relatives: Gather some stones. They took stones, put them into a pile, and ate there by the pile of stones.
He offered a sacrifice on the mountain. He invited his relatives to eat the meal with him. They ate with him and spent the night on the mountain.
There you shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, and the contribution of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock. You and your households should eat there before Jehovah your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings that Jehovah your God has blessed.
I will hand over the people who have rejected my covenant. They have not kept the terms of the covenant they made in my presence when they cut a calf in two and passed between its pieces.
He shows mercy towards our fathers and remembers his holy covenant. It was the oath he spoke to Abraham our father.
What then is the law? It was added (to cause awareness of sin) because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,' said Jehovah: 'I will put my teachings (laws) in their mind, I will write them upon their hearts (deep thought) (understanding). I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jeremiah 31:32)