I. Introduction

Then He said to him, "I {am} the L-rd, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it." And he said, "L-rd G-d, how shall I know that I will inherit it?" So He said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror {and} great darkness fell upon him...And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day the L-rd made a covenant with Abram... (Gen 15:7-18)

(See note 1)

A joining of 2 or more persons, families, clans, tribes, or nations, where the participants agree to do or refrain from doing certain acts.

Patriarchal Covenant

The patriarchal form of covenant is a self-imposed obligation of a superior party, to the benefit of an inferior party. In this form, the terms the parties use to refer to each other are: father and son.

   Examples:

• G-d's self-imposed obligation for the reconciliation of sinners to Himself
  

For you {are} a holy people to the L-rd your G-d; the L-rd your G-d has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The L-rd did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the L-rd loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the L-rd has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (Deut 7:6-8)

• G-d's covenant with David

I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: "Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations." (Ps 89:3,4)

Vassal Covenant

The vassal form of covenant is a one-sided disposition imposed by a superior party upon an inferior party. In this form, the terms the parties use to refer to each other are: lord/master and servant/slave.

   Example:

• Mosaic covenant

When you have transgressed the covenant of the L-rd your G-d, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed down to them, then the anger of the L-rd will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you. (Josh 23:16)

Mutual Covenant

The mutual form of covenant is a two-sided agreement between two parties, both of which voluntarily accept the terms. In this form, the terms the parties use to refer to each other are: brother or friend.

   Examples:

• Covenant between Jonathan and David

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. (1Sam 18:3)

• Modern marriage is also an example of this type.

¹ All Scripture references are from the New King James version, unless otherwise specified.