Covenants are a central theme in the Bible. A covenant is a solemn agreement between two parties that involves promises on behalf of each party. The Bible records covenants between God and man (Genesis 6:18; Genesis 9:9; Genesis 15; Exodus 19-24; Jeremiah 31:31-34), covenants between men (Genesis 21:22-34), and covenants between tribes and nations (Joshua 9:6-15). Here are some key Bible verses about covenants:
Covenants between God and man
“I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” (Genesis 6:18)
“Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you.” (Genesis 9:9)
“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates…” (Genesis 15:18)
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (Exodus 19:5-6)
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:31-33)
Covenants between men
“But Abraham said to Abimelech, “I have sworn to the Lord, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abraham rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.” (Genesis 21:22-24)
Covenants between tribes/nations
“But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” (Joshua 9:3-6)
God’s covenant with Abraham
One of the most prominent covenants in the Old Testament is the covenant God makes with Abraham. God promises to make Abraham a great nation, give his descendants the land of Canaan, and bless all nations through his offspring (Genesis 12:1-3). This covenant is reaffirmed in Genesis 15, where God has Abraham cut sacrificial animals in half as part of a solemn ritual. Then God alone, represented by a smoking firepot and flaming torch, passes between the pieces, signifying that He is taking an oath to fulfill the covenant despite Abraham being in a deep sleep (Genesis 15:12-21). The physical sign of God’s covenant with Abraham was circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14). God promised to be Abraham’s God and the God of his descendants. God’s covenant with Abraham establishes the foundation for the later covenants.
The Mosaic Covenant
The Mosaic Covenant refers to the covenant God made with Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai after rescuing them from slavery in Egypt. God promises to make them His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). The Israelites accept the covenant when they respond, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do” (Exodus 19:8). The Ten Commandments form the core of this covenant (Exodus 20:1-17). Additional laws and regulations are given in Exodus 21-23. The covenant is sealed with a sacrifice and meal on Mount Sinai, with Moses sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice on the altar and on the people as he reads the Book of the Covenant to them (Exodus 24:4-8). Obedience to the laws of the covenant would allow the Israelites to enjoy God’s blessings, while disobedience would lead to curses and judgment.
The Davidic Covenant
The Davidic Covenant refers to God’s promise to establish the house of David forever: “Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This unconditional covenant promises that a descendant of David will rule over an everlasting kingdom. Jesus Christ fulfilled this covenant as a descendant of David whose kingdom will never end (Luke 1:32-33). The Davidic covenant is a key foundation for the New Covenant and Jesus’ messianic reign.
The New Covenant
The New Covenant is instituted through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the giving of the Holy Spirit. In the Upper Room Discourse, Jesus says, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). Jesus’ death provides forgiveness of sins, making way for the inward transformation promised in the new covenant. As prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, the New Covenant allows for internalization of God’s law, forgiveness of sins, and intimate relationship with God. This covenant is available to all who put their faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. God’s redemptive purposes reach their culmination in the New Covenant and the creation of a new people of God, united by faith in Christ rather than ethnicity or works of the law.
Key themes and features of biblical covenants
Here are some key themes and features that characterize the covenants in Scripture:
- Sovereign initiative – Covenants originate with God and demonstrate His grace and purposes.
- Oath or promise – Covenants involve clear obligations and commitments.
- Sign or seal – Covenants are accompanied by physical signs and seals.
- Blessings and curses – Covenants outline consequences for obedience/disobedience.
- Blood sacrifice – Animal sacrifice and blood often seal covenants.
- Covenant meal – Covenants are sealed with a shared meal.
- Divine faithfulness – God always remains faithful to His covenant promises.
- Human unfaithfulness – Humans often break covenant obligations and deserve judgment.
- Fulfillment in Christ – God’s redemptive plan culminates in the New Covenant secured by Christ.
The Noahic Covenant
After the flood, God makes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising to never again destroy the earth with a flood. God gives the rainbow as the sign of this “everlasting covenant between God and every living creature” (Genesis 9:12-17). This unconditional covenant still remains in effect today.
Abrahamic Covenant
As mentioned above, God’s covenant with Abraham is a foundational Old Testament covenant. God promises land, descendants, and blessing to all nations through Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). This covenant is unconditional and everlasting, even as it is fulfilled in Christ.
Mosaic Covenant
The Mosaic Covenant at Mount Sinai forms the basis of Israel’s identity as God’s chosen people. The laws, sacrificial system, and Ten Commandments established Israel as a holy nation set apart to serve God (Exodus 19-24). Israel’s blessings or curses depended on their obedience to the covenant.
Davidic Covenant
God promises King David that his descendant will rule forever from Jerusalem over an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7). This leads to messianic expectations of a coming king in the line of David.
Old vs. New Covenants
The New Covenant in Christ fulfills and completes the Old Covenants. Through Christ’s blood the New Covenant provides permanent atonement for sins and the inward transformation that the old covenants could not provide (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13).
Covenant Community
Those who put faith in Christ are part of the covenant community known as the Church. God’s covenants aim to create a people bound to Himself in faith and obedience by grace (Titus 2:14).
Marriage Covenant
Human marriage between man and woman mirrors God’s covenant love. Malachi 2:14 calls marriage a “covenant of companionship.” Jesus cites Genesis 2:24’s “one flesh” marital union (Matthew 19:5-6).
Covenant Meals
Covenants are often sealed with meals between the parties involved (Genesis 26:28-30). Jesus established communion at the Last Supper as a repeatable covenant meal of remembrance based on His body and blood.
Covenant Signs
Covenants are accompanied by signs that visibly represent the covenant such as circumcision, the rainbow, baptism, and communion. These signs remind the parties of their covenant obligations.
Covenant Loyalty
A covenant implies exclusive loyalty from both parties. The Shema encapsulates Israel’s covenant obligation to devote themselves wholly to the Lord as their God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Covenant Obligations
Covenants establish binding obligations on both parties. The Ten Commandments constitute the core obligations of the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 20:1-17). The New Covenant also involves repenting and believing in Christ (Mark 1:15).
Covenant Curses
Disobedience to a covenant incurs curses from God and judgment, while obedience leads to blessings. Deuteronomy 28 outlines elaborate blessings and curses tied to obeying the Mosaic Covenant.
Covenant Faithfulness
Despite human unfaithfulness, God remains eternally committed to fulfilling His covenant promises. His faithfulness endures “to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).
Covenant Lawsuits
The prophets often deliver “covenant lawsuits” against Israel for violating their covenant with God. God takes Israel to court for breaching their marriage covenant (Jeremiah 2:9).
Blood Covenants
Blood sacrifice is often used to ratify a covenant. Just as Christ’s blood established the New Covenant (Luke 22:20), blood sacrifice also sealed Old Testament covenants (Exodus 24:8).
Covenant Promises
Covenants are characterized by promises made by both parties. God’s promises to Abraham (descendants, land, blessing) demonstrate His gracious covenant love (Genesis 12:1-3).
In summary, covenants are central to the biblical narrative as God enters into solemn agreements with His people to reveal His purposes of redemption and salvation. All of history moves toward the climax of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection that brings about the New Covenant, fulfilling all previous covenants.