8 Covenants In The Bible – Promises From God
Published May 31st, 2019
Covenants are expression of God’s love for us. When he created the first man and woman, he plans for humanity to be his partner in spreading his love to the world. That partnership is broken when Adam and Eve chose to disobey him instead. But because he loves us so much, he made a new set of covenants and promises for his chosen people.
There are two types of covenant in the bible: conditional and unconditional. Conditional covenants contain promises that God will fulfill provided that humans will do their part first. Unconditional ones are those that God fulfills in his divine power.
Each of the eight covenants mentioned in the bible are either conditional or unconditional. Every one of them also addresses specific people and situations.
The Edenic Covenant (conditional)
In Genesis 2:17-18, God made men stewards of his creations. He told them to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it. Then he put man in the garden of Eden with specific instructions that he can eat everything therein except for the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For the day he eats it is the day he dies.
But of course, we know the story. Man disobeyed God and so he and his wife were banished. In essence, this is the first covenant God had with man and also the first one that man had broken. Adam’s disobedience has caused both spiritual and physical death for mankind.
The Adamic Covenant (unconditional)
This covenant contains God’s promise to Adam and Eve about the consequences of their disobedience. In it, the woman is warned about the pains of childbearing and the man shall toil all the days of his life. As children of Adam and Eve, the covenant applies to us until this day.
(Related: What Was Life Like For A Medieval Nun?)
The Noahic Covenant (unconditional)
When the great flood was over, God promised Noah and his sons dominion over all life forms on earth. He also assured them that no flood such as the one they’ve just been through shall destroy the Earth ever again. After this, a rainbow appeared in the sky to seal his promise. This covenant appears in Genesis 9:1-18.
The Abrahamic Covenant (unconditional)
We all know who Abraham is. He is known as the father of nations which is God’s covenant with him. In Genesis 12:1-4;13:14-17; 15:1-7; 17:1-8, God promised Abraham that his descendants will be as many as the stars in the sky, that he will prosper and his name will be great. Though Abraham is a Jew, circumcision became the symbol of the Abrahamic covenant.
The Mosaic Covenant (conditional)
This covenant is the basis of the Ten Commandments. After bringing them out of slavery in Egypt, God promises them the land of Canaan. In return, he gives laws and commandments that he wants the people to follow. All of this is written in a stone tablet that he gave to Moses. Jesus’ death on the cross in the new testament voided the terms of this covenant and gave way for the “New Covenant”.
The Land Covenant (unconditional)
Deuteronomy 30:1-10 provides yet another covenant. In it, God promised his people that they will again take back the land of their ancestors and that they will conquer their enemies. If the people will obey him and turn to him with all their heart and soul, he will bless them and make them more prosperous and numerous than their ancestors.
The Davidic Covenant (unconditional)
According to 2 Samuel 7:4-16, God promised David that his kingdom will never end. This covenant has three important parts: an everlasting throne, an everlasting king, and an everlasting kingdom. In the new testament, God made true to this promise with the birth of Jesus who is a direct descendant of David.
The New Covenant (unconditional)
In the Old Testament, many prophets have mentioned about God’s promise of a Messiah. This Messianic age is what we call the New Covenant. The terms of this covenant promise eternal salvation to anyone who choose to obey God and follow the teachings of the Messiah.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources.
