Biblical theme · Major biblical concepts

Covenant in the Bible

The binding commitments that shape the Bible’s story: with Noah, with Abraham, with Israel at Sinai, with David, and the new covenant promised by the prophets and spoken of by Jesus.

Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition

Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.

Introduction

A covenant is a binding commitment. The Bible’s story is shaped by covenants God makes: with Noah and every living creature, with Abraham, with Israel at Sinai, and with David. Genesis 9:8–11 Genesis 15:18 Exodus 19:5 2 Samuel 7:12–16

The prophets promise a new covenant with God’s law written on people’s hearts, and at the Last Supper Jesus speaks of “the new covenant in my blood”. Jeremiah 31:31–34 Luke 22:20

Central passages

Genesis 9:8–17
God promises never again to destroy all life by a flood, with the rainbow as the sign.
Genesis 12:1–3
God calls Abram and promises that all the families of the earth will be blessed through him.
Genesis 15:7–21
God makes a covenant with Abram, passing between the divided animals.
Genesis 17:1–8
God renames Abram as Abraham and promises to be God to him and his descendants.
Exodus 19:3–6
If you keep my covenant, you will be my own possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Exodus 24:3–8
The people promise obedience and Moses sprinkles them with “the blood of the covenant”.
2 Samuel 7:8–17
God promises to establish David’s offspring and his kingdom forever.
Jeremiah 31:31–34
A new covenant: “I will put my law in their inward parts… I will forgive their iniquity.”
Luke 22:19–20
At the Last Supper: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
Hebrews 8:6–13
Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31 and calls Jesus the mediator of a better covenant.

Across Scripture

Each passage is labelled with why it belongs: central teaching, narrative example, supporting passage, comparison, contrast or interpretive connection.

With Noah and every living creature

The first covenant named in Scripture is made after the flood.

Genesis 9:8–17 Central teaching
God promises never again to destroy all life by a flood, with the rainbow as the sign.

With Abraham

God promises Abraham land, descendants and blessing for all nations, and confirms it with a covenant.

Genesis 12:1–3 Central teaching
God calls Abram and promises that all the families of the earth will be blessed through him.
Genesis 15:7–21 Central teaching
God makes a covenant with Abram, passing between the divided animals.
Genesis 17:1–8 Central teaching
God renames Abram as Abraham and promises to be God to him and his descendants.

At Sinai

God makes a covenant with Israel after bringing them out of Egypt.

Exodus 19:3–6 Central teaching
If you keep my covenant, you will be my own possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Exodus 24:3–8 Central teaching
The people promise obedience and Moses sprinkles them with “the blood of the covenant”.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Supporting passage
The faithful God keeps covenant and loving kindness to a thousand generations.

With David

God promises David a lasting house and kingdom.

2 Samuel 7:8–17 Central teaching
God promises to establish David’s offspring and his kingdom forever.
Psalm 89:3–4 Supporting passage
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one… I will establish your offspring forever.”

The new covenant

The prophets promise a renewed covenant, and the New Testament speaks of it as made through Jesus.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 Central teaching
A new covenant: “I will put my law in their inward parts… I will forgive their iniquity.”
Ezekiel 36:26–27 Supporting passage
A new heart and a new spirit, and God’s Spirit within them.
Luke 22:19–20 Central teaching
At the Last Supper: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
Hebrews 8:6–13 Central teaching
Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31 and calls Jesus the mediator of a better covenant.

Stories that show this theme

Noah and the Flood Illustrates the theme
The covenant with every living creature. Genesis 9:8–17
Abraham and Isaac
The covenant promise is renewed with an oath. Genesis 22:15–18
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are the heart of the covenant God makes with Israel at Sinai. Exodus 19:5 Exodus 34:27–28
The Exodus from Egypt
God remembers his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Exodus 2:24

People associated with this theme

Noah
God makes the first covenant with Noah. Genesis 9:9
Abraham
The covenant with Abraham. Genesis 15:18
David
The covenant with David. 2 Samuel 7:16

Distinctions and questions of interpretation

Old and new covenant: Hebrews calls the first covenant “becoming old”, while Jesus says he came not to abolish the law but to fulfil it. Christians understand the relationship between the covenants in different ways. Hebrews 8:13 Matthew 5:17–18
Covenant and promise: Some covenants rest mainly on God’s promise (Noah, Abraham); the Sinai covenant includes Israel’s commitment to obey. Both are covenants. Genesis 9:11 Exodus 24:7

Related themes

Redemption
God redeems the people he has bound himself to. Exodus 6:4–6

Questions for reflection

Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.

What does God promise in each covenant on this page, and what, if anything, is asked of the people?
What is the sign of the covenant with Noah, and why might that matter?
What is new about the covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34?
Why might Jesus speak of a covenant at the Last Supper (Luke 22:20)?

Study guides

Understanding the Ten Commandments
The commandments are the heart of the Sinai covenant. Exodus 34:28
Understanding the Book of Genesis
Genesis records the covenants with Noah and Abraham. Genesis 9:9 Genesis 15:18