What A Covenant Is
Hiya all! Here’s a little post on what a Covenant is. To put it plainly,
a “covenant” is a contract, testament or disposition of one’s mental outlook.
Covenants were first made between God and man, then man to man on down through the ages. Today, we just call them contracts or agreements.
First let’s look at the Hebrew word for covenant in the Old Testament which is beriyth (see below). This means the making of a compact. In the OT this word means to be in confederate with, in league, covenanted with, and so on (please note, the pop-ups will show scripture examples).
H1285. beriyth, ber-eeth’; from H1262 (in the sense of cutting [like H1254]); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh):–confederacy, [con-]feder[-ate], covenant, league.
In the New Testament, we can get a little bit more information about the meaning since the Greek reveals more. The Gk. word for covenant is diatheke and it’s the word used every time you see the words “covenant” or “testament” used.
G1242. diatheke, dee-ath-ay’-kay; from G1303; properly a disposition, i.e. (special) a contract (especially a devisory will):–covenant, testament.
It’s meaning is still a contract, but with the added information that it is also a disposition. A disposition is where one reveals one’s mental outlook or position.
It’s probably easier to think of the term, “last will and testament” to get the full gist of the meaning. This phrase is used when someone has died (Heb 9:16-17) and they have created up a “divisory will” to divide up their their property to their “heirs” (Rom 8:16-17). In the course of the “will” being read, the testimony of the deceased is read, which reveals their mental disposition about the people or things they were leaving behind. The word “will” brings to mind Mat 6:9-10
Mat 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
So it’s pretty interesting to know that when someone says the Old Testament, they’re actually saying the Old Contract or the New Testament, the New Contract. In other words, God has made an agreement with His people and will fulfill it.
Some examples of the use of the Gk. word diatheke are:
Mat 26:27-28 And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Acts 7:8 And He gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
1 Cor 11:25 After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.
So, whenever you hear the words covenant, testament, or will, think about the significance and the power behind those words and how imperative they really are.
By the way, if you have never given your heart to Jesus Christ and asked Him to be your Savior, please consider doing so today? Just say this simple prayer, “Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and forgive me for the things that I have done and be my Lord.” I promise you, the Lord Jesus will come and you ‘ll be saved.
Peace out!
