An entry in the 7 Scrolls Bible Dictionary, with every example verse shown in the Berean Standard Bible.
What is the biblical definition of covenant?
A covenant in the Bible is a binding promise that creates or confirms a relationship, sealed by an oath, a sign or a sacrifice. God's covenants with Noah, Abraham, Israel at Sinai and David shape the story, and the prophets look ahead to a new covenant.
How often does the Bible use the word covenant?
| Word form (BSB) | Times used | Verses |
|---|---|---|
| covenant | 306 | 284 |
| covenants | 4 | 4 |
| All listed forms | 310 | 287 |
Books where these words appear in the most verses: Deuteronomy (25), Genesis (23), Psalms (21), Jeremiah (21), Joshua (16).
These counts include covenants between people, such as the one Jonathan made with David in 1 Samuel 18:3. Some major covenant passages, like 2 Samuel 7, describe a covenant without using the word at all.
How we counted: a whole-word, case-insensitive search of every verse of the Berean Standard Bible (31,086 verses in our data) for each listed English form. Counts describe the English translation, not the Hebrew or Greek behind it, and include every sense of the word.
How does the Bible use covenant?
What is a covenant in the Bible?
A covenant is more than a contract. A contract trades goods or services; a covenant binds people into a relationship, often for life or for generations. In the ancient Near East, kings made treaties with vassals that listed duties, blessings and curses. Several biblical covenants follow a similar shape.
Hebrew speaks of cutting a covenant. Genesis 15 shows why: animals are cut in two, and a smoking firepot and flaming torch pass between the pieces as God binds the promise to Abram. Covenants usually come with a sign, such as a rainbow, circumcision or a meal.
What are the main covenants in the Bible?
With Noah, God promises never again to destroy all life by flood, and the rainbow is the sign (Genesis 9:9–17). With Abraham, God promises land, descendants and blessing (Genesis 15:18 and Genesis 17:7), with circumcision as the sign (Genesis 17:10).
At Sinai, through Moses, God makes Israel a treasured people if they keep the covenant (Exodus 19:5). It is sealed with blood in Exodus 24:8, and its core words are the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). With David, God promises a lasting house and throne (2 Samuel 7:12–16). Psalm 89:3 and 2 Samuel 23:5 call this a covenant.
What is the new covenant?
Jeremiah 31:31–34 promises a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah. God's law will be written on hearts, everyone will know the LORD, and sins will be forgiven. This is a covenant of grace at its core.
At the Last Supper Jesus calls the cup the new covenant in his blood (Luke 22:20). Paul repeats the words in 1 Corinthians 11:25, and Hebrews 8 quotes Jeremiah at length. Jewish and Christian readers understand Jeremiah's promise and its fulfillment in different ways.
Key Bible verses about covenant
I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.
Genesis 9:13 BSB
The rainbow as the sign of God's covenant with the earth after the flood.
I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Genesis 17:7 BSB
An everlasting covenant with Abraham: to be God to him and his descendants.
So Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Exodus 24:8 BSB
Moses seals the Sinai covenant with blood, words later echoed at the Last Supper.
You said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant:
Psalm 89:3 BSB
The promise to David described as a sworn covenant.
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
Jeremiah 31:31 BSB
The first announcement of a new covenant in the Hebrew Bible.
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Jeremiah 31:33 BSB
The heart of the new covenant: God's law written within.
In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.
Luke 22:20 BSB
Jesus links the cup at the Last Supper to the new covenant.
What are the Hebrew and Greek words behind it?
Hebrew: berit — covenant
Used for agreements between nations, friends, spouses, and between God and people.
Greek: diathēkē — covenant; also a will or testament
Through Latin testamentum, this word gave us the names Old Testament and New Testament.
Covenant vs love: what is the difference?
A covenant is the structure; love is what keeps it alive. The Hebrew word hesed, loyal love, is the love expected inside a covenant. In Deuteronomy 7:9 the covenant itself is described as one of loving devotion, kept by God through a thousand generations.
Why does covenant matter?
Covenant explains why the Bible is organized the way it is. Its two parts are named after covenants, and many books respond to one: the Law sets it out, the Prophets call people back to it, and the Gospels speak of a new one.
It also explains the tone of God's relationship with people. It is neither a business deal nor a vague feeling, but faithful commitment with promises on both sides. For how covenant fits with other key ideas, browse the Bible word dictionary.
How do Jewish and Christian traditions understand covenant?
- Jewish readers: See the covenant at Sinai as the living, ongoing bond between God and the Jewish people, expressed in the Torah and its commandments.
- Many Reformed Protestant readers: Read the biblical covenants as stages of one unfolding covenant of grace, fulfilled in Jesus. Dispensational Protestants draw sharper lines between God's promises to Israel and to the church.
- Catholic and Orthodox teaching: Connect the new covenant closely with the Eucharist, where the words of Luke 22:20 are recalled.
Quick check
What was the sign of God's covenant with Noah?
The rainbow (Genesis 9:13).
Which prophet first promised a new covenant written on the heart?
Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 31:31–33.
What did Jesus call the cup at the Last Supper?
The new covenant in his blood (Luke 22:20).
Related Bible words
In summary
- A covenant is a binding promise that creates a relationship.
- The major covenants are with Noah, Abraham, Israel at Sinai, and David.
- Covenants often come with signs: rainbow, circumcision, blood, a meal.
- Jeremiah 31 promises a new covenant, which the New Testament links to Jesus.
- The Hebrew word is berit; the Greek diathēkē gave us the word testament.