Covenant in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What is a Covenant?
COVENANT
, an agreement or mutual obligation contracted deliberately and with solemnity. God's covenant with men signifies his solemn promise or engagement. Gen 17:14; Ex 34:10; Deut 4:13; Isa 59:21. The Hebrew word for "making a covenant" signifies "a cutting," because covenants were often made by cutting animals in two and passing between their parts. Gen 15:10, 2 Sam 21:17; Jer 34:18. The term "the covenants," Rom 9:4, refers to the various promises made to Abraham. God made a covenant with Noah and with Abraham. The chief and most important use of the word, however, is in relation to the two great dispensations which are distinguished as the old and new, or as the covenant of the law and the covenant of the gospel. The former was made with the children of Israel through Moses, and rested much in the outward ceremonies and observances which the law enjoined (meats and drinks, and divers washings and carnal ordinances). The new covenant was made through Christ, sealed by his own blood, and secures to every believer the blessings of salvation and eternal life. Comp. Ex 20:24; Gal 3; Heb 8. The titles "Old and New Testaments" arose from the inaccurate rendering of the word "covenant" by testamentum in the Latin Vulgate. Covenant of Salt. Num 18:19; 2 Chr 13:5. This term denotes a covenant in the sealing or ratification of which salt was used, which made it inviolable. Lev 2:13. See Salt.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'covenant' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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