An Overview of Biblical Covenants Old & New

Definition of Covenant (Biblical Context)

A covenant is a solemn, binding agreement between God and man, often initiated by God, in which He makes promises and sets conditions. In Scripture, covenants are central to God’s unfolding plan of redemption, revealing His character, purposes, and relationship with humanity.

Jeremiah 31:31 – “Look, the days are coming” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt — my covenant that they broke even though I am their master.”

1. The Adamic Covenant (Genesis 1–3)

Description: The Adamic Covenant refers to God’s covenantal dealings with Adam in the Garden of Eden, which include both a creation mandate and a covenant of works. Adam was commanded to obey God by not eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17); disobedience would bring death. After the Fall, God gave a promise of redemption through the "seed of the woman" who would one day crush the serpent (Genesis 3:15), often called the protoevangelium, or "first gospel."

A. Scripture Context:

• Genesis 1:26-30 – Mandate to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion.

• Genesis 2:16-17 – Prohibition from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

• Genesis 3:15 – Protoevangelium: Promise of the seed who would crush the serpent.

B. Key Elements:

• Conditional Covenants generally carry an "If-Then, clause or contingencies."

• Conditional Covenant: In the Adamic Covenant, Obedience leads to life; disobedience brings death.

• Result: The Fall brought curse and death, but also introduced hope through the promise of a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15).

  
  

2. The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 6–9)

Description: The Noahic Covenant is the unconditional promise God made to Noah and all living creatures after the flood, vowing never again to destroy the earth by water (Genesis 9:8–17). This covenant includes the command to be fruitful and multiply and is marked by the rainbow as a sign of God’s enduring mercy and faithfulness to preserve creation.

A. Scripture Context:

• Genesis 9:8–17 – God's promise to never again destroy all life with a flood.

• Genesis 8:21-22 – God’s resolve not to curse the ground again due to man’s sin.

B. Key Elements:

• Unconditional Covenant: God’s grace toward all creation.

• Sign: The rainbow.

• Significance: God’s commitment to preserve creation until redemption is fulfilled.

  
  

3. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17)

Description: The Abrahamic Covenant is God's unconditional promise to Abraham to make him the father of a great nation, give his descendants the land of Canaan, and bless all the families of the earth through his offspring (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:1–6; 17:1–8). This covenant established a people set apart for God and ultimately pointed to Christ, through whom the blessing would come to all nations (Galatians 3:16). Some posit that the Abrahamic Covenant does carry some elements of conditionality, especially when you move into aspects of the Mosaic Covenant. However, Genesis 15 and the dream of God passing through the animals by himself tend to make clear his bringing forth the covenant alone, and Abraham's obedience being the reality of his faith, more than the condition of the covenant.

A. Scripture Context:

• Genesis 12:1-3 – Call and promise.

• Genesis 15:4-6 – Justification by faith.

• Genesis 17:1-8 – Circumcision as a sign.

B. Key Elements:

• Unconditional Covenant, but Sometimes Considered to Have Some Conditional Elements: Land, descendants, and blessing to all nations.

• Fulfillment: Throughout History, especially in the time of Joshua, there was an occupying of the promised land by Israel, but not yet a full possession. Yet, the covenant promise to Abraham finds its ultimate fulfillment. Throughout history, especially in the time of Joshua, there was an occupation of the promised land by Israel, in Christ (Galatians 3:16).

Galatians 3:29 – “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

4. The Mosaic Covenant (Old Covenant) (Exodus 19–24)

Description: The Mosaic Covenant was a conditional covenant made between God and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, where God gave the Law—including the Ten Commandments—as the standard for righteousness and covenant faithfulness (Exodus 19–24). It promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, serving to reveal sin and point Israel to their need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24).

A. Scripture Context:

• Exodus 19:5-6 – Conditional promise of blessing for obedience.

• Exodus 24:3-8 – Ratified by blood.

• Deuteronomy 28 – Blessings and curses.

B. Key Elements:

• Conditional Covenant: Based on Israel’s obedience to the Law.

• Purpose: To reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24).

• Limitations: Could not give life, bring justification, or remove sin permanently (Galatians 2:16, Hebrews 10:1-4).

  
  

5. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)

Description: The Davidic Covenant is God’s promise to King David that his royal line would endure forever and that one of his descendants would establish an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This covenant ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who is the eternal King from David’s line and whose kingdom will never end (Luke 1:32-33).

A. Scripture Context:

• 2 Samuel 7:12-16 – Promise of an eternal throne.

• Psalm 89:3-4 – Confirmation of covenant with David.

B. Key Elements:

• Unconditional Covenant: A king from David’s line will reign forever.

• Fulfillment: Jesus Christ, the eternal King (Luke 1:32-33).

Isaiah 9:6-7 – “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end...”

6. The New Covenant in Jesus’ Blood (Jeremiah 31, Luke 22, Hebrews 8–10)

Description: The New Covenant in Jesus’ blood is God’s promise of salvation, forgiveness of sins, and a transformed heart through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20; Jeremiah 31:31–34). Unlike the Old Covenant, it is based on grace, not law, and offers believers a personal relationship with God, sealed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the once-for-all atonement of Christ (Hebrews 8:6–13).

A. Jeremiah’s Prophecy:

Jeremiah 31:31-34 – A new covenant where God writes His law on hearts, forgives sin, and creates direct relationship.

B. Fulfillment in Christ:

• Luke 22:20 – “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

• Hebrews 8:6-13 – Jesus mediates a better covenant based on better promises.

• Hebrews 10:9-10 – Christ fulfills the law and offers a once-for-all sacrifice.

The Old Covenant is Obsolete

A. Scripture:

Hebrews 8:13 – “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

Romans 6:14 – “You are not under law but under grace.”

Galatians 5:4 – “You who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.”

B. Significance for Christians:

• Believers are no longer under the Old Covenant of the Mosaic Law for salvation.

• Justification and sanctification are by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

• Christians are not bound to keep the ceremonial and civil laws of Israel but are under the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

  
  

Why It Matters

• Understanding the covenants reveals the progressive unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.

• It clarifies why salvation is by grace, not works.

• It helps believers avoid legalism and live in the freedom Christ provides.

• It confirms Jesus as the fulfillment of all God's promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).