2. ‘An agreement between two contracting
parties, originally sealed with blood; a
bond, or a law; a permanent religious
dispensation. The old, primitive way of
concluding a covenant was for the
covenanters to cut into each other’s arm
and suck the blood, the mixing of the
blood rendering them ‘brothers of the
covenant’. (Jewish Encyclopaedia online)
3. B’RIT (COVENANT)
B’rit, the Hebrew word for Covenant appears
270 times in the Hebrew Bible.
It means covenant, pact or treaty
Ancient covenants were made by animal
sacrifice hence the phrase ‘to cut a covenant’
B’rit implies the shedding of blood in the
process of making an agreement.
4.
5. SUZERAINTY-VASSAL
TREATY
Agreement between two unequal
parties, one of higher status, one of
lower status
Alliance between a great monarch
and subject king
Monarch has no duties
Subject king pledges allegiance to
monarch
Monarch keeps own borders secure
Serves interests of suzerain,
monarch
6. PARITY TREATY
Between two parties of
equal power and social
status
Two monarchs forming an
alliance for mutual aid
Two merchants forming a
trade agreement
Marriage contract between
the father of the bride and
the groom
7. LAND GRANT
Free gift of land to
faithful subject of a great
monarch or servant of a
wealthy landowner
Greater party binds self
to the treaty
Lesser party benefits
from the gift, but may not
be bound to any specific
stipulations, either before
or after reception of the
land grant
11. NOAH
(Genesis 9:1-17)
Rainbow is the sign of the covenant G-d made with Noah.
Never again would the earth be destroyed by a flood.
Stresses sanctity of life, refers to all of humanity
NOAHIDE LAWS
to establish courts of justice;
not to commit blasphemy;
not to commit idolatry;
not to commit incest and adultery;
not to commit bloodshed;
not to commit robbery; and
not to eat flesh cut from a living animal.
12. ABRAHAM
Abraham: with single individual like suzerainty
making land grant, ratification of oath, parties would
pass between split carcass of an animal (Genesis 15).
Abraham cuts sacrificial animals in two and G-d
passes between two halves.
Only G-d is obligated to fulfill promise. Abraham
has no obligation in return. Subject (Abraham)
benefits not suzerain (G-D).
G-d owner of land and is empowered to set
conditions like a landlord. Current owners polluting
it with bloodshed and idolatry and when it’s
completely polluted it will throw out its inhabitants.
Israelites have to wait.
Covenant not due to favoritism or merit. G-d is
seeking replacement tenants who will follow moral
rules of residence which he has established for his
land.
Genesis 17 is a second version of the same covenant.
G-d adds that a line of kings will come forth from
Abraham and that circumcision is perpetual sign of
G-d eternal covenant. Rite would normally have
been performed in puberty. Ritual has been suffused
with new meaning a sign of covenant.
13. MOSES
Road from Egypt led to Sinai. G-d’s redemption is
for a purpose. There in the third month after
Exodus and here the covenant is concluded.
Receiving the Torah (Instruction)
Mosaic covenant different to covenant between
G-d and Noah or G-d and Abraham
G-d makes no promises beyond being protector
of Israel and he sets terms that require obedience
to a series of laws and commandments.
Mosaic Covenant is mutual, reciprocal, bilateral
and conditional. If Israel doesn’t fulfill their
obligations by obeying the Torah or living
according to his will as expressed in those laws
and instructions, then G-d will not fulfill his
obligations of protection towards Israel.
14. Suzerainty Treaty Parts …
Preamble
Historical prologue
Stipulations
Provisions for treaty deposit & public reading
List of Divine witnesses to the treaty
Blessings & curses (for fidelity or infidelity to the treaty)
15. MOSAIC COVENANT
has the same elements…
‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians…’ – G-d’s claim to
sovereignty Historical prologue
‘If you obey me faithfully’ …. Stipulations articulated in later
(Exodus 20-23)
Moses reads publicly (Exodus 24:7)
Deposited in safe keeping in Ark (Deuteronomy)
The people vow to obey (Exodus 24:3; 7b)
Sacrifice seals oath (Exodus 24:8)
Because it is monotheistic gods cannot be invoked so that heaven and
earth are invoked as witnesses (Deuteronomy 4:26; 30:19; 31:28)
Lists of blessings and curses (Leviticus 26 and Deut 28)
16. Model of Suzerainty Treaty
for Mosaic Covenant
Historical prologue grounds obligations of Israel in the history of his acts on
Israel’s behalf i.e. historical moment
Historical prologue bridges gap between generations: Israel’s past, present
and future generations form a collective entity ‘Israel’ e.g. passover
ceremonies today Jews are reminded to see themselves as coming out of Egypt
and personally covenanted with G-d.
Israel’s relationship with G-d is told through story. Israel can rely on G-d. The
road from Egypt leads to Sinai. Exodus is the story of a relationship expressed
in the observance of the commandments and instructions, not just about a
miraculous delivery.
Israelites are to treat one another well. Covenant is the basis for social ethics.
Covenant entails exclusive service of G-d.
Covenant precludes alliances with other human competitors. If Israel serves a
divine king, Israel cannot serve a human king.
Vassals love for the Suzerain: Covenant bond, they promise to love.
17. DAVID
This covenant is recounted
in 2 Samuel 7
David’s name will be made
great
Establishment of a Davidic
empire
Allusion to greater
permanence and security of
place.
