what is a covenant?

Answer 1

A promise.

Answer 2

Covenant, in its most general sense, is a word for a solemn promise or similar undertaking.

It's a binding or agreement between a superior and inferior sect.

More specifically, a covenant, in contrast to a contract, is a one-way agreement whereby the covenantor is the only party bound by the promise. A covenant may have conditions and prerequisites that qualify the undertaking, including the actions of other parties, but there is absolutely no inherent agreement by such other parties to fulfil those requirements. Consequentially, the only party that can break a covenant is the covenantor.

The covenant is an important concept in Jewish and Christian thinking, derived in the first instance from the biblical covenant tradition.

Answer 3

A coventant is an agreement that two parties will do one thing or another, where the agreement is absolutely binding forever and for all times, no matter if one side breaks it. Even if one part of it is finished, everything else about it remains in effect forever.

It is this concept of ABSOLUTELY ETERNAL that differentiates a Covenant from a mere contract.

The Covenant G-D made with the Jews was this -- They were to follow His laws and in exchange, He would be their G-D and in the fulness of time he would send a Messiah. Even when the Jews broke the Covenant, G-D was ever faithful and guided them back to it. The messiah has still not come, but that's simply because the fullness of time has not arrived.

Hold it, many of you are going to say, "But Jesus said we were under a New Covenant, and thus he was the messiah!" But to say a 'new covenant' means the old one died or went away -- meaning it wasn't forever. Thus, Jesus was calling G-D a liar.

Could the Messiah call G-D a liar?

I think not.

Answer 4

It's more of a contract. A promise is kept on behalf of two or more parties. There's several covenants in the Bible, some of which are the covenant between God and all living things after the Great Flood (Noah), the covenant with Abraham, and Christ, the New Covenant. Wikipedia has a decent summary (below).

Answer 5

It is a formal, and binding agreement. Like a binding promise. Note the use of the word FORMAL. We make covenants in legal and religious settings. You make a covenant when you wed to be loyal. You make a covenant to pay the bank on time when you get a mortgage. You make a covenant with your creator to live your life a certain way.

Don't confuse it with a COVEN, which is a collection of individuals with similar interests. Like a club. Although their roots are from a similar origin, the two words are not the same.

Answer 6

1) a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action

2) enter into a covenant

3) (Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return

4) enter into a covenant or formal

5) agreement; "They covenanted with Judas for 30 pieces of silver"; "The nations covenanted to fight terrorism around the world"

Answer 7

An agreement between two parties.

The Greater Covenant is the Covenant between God and humankind, that God will never abandon us. He will succesively send us Manifestations and Divine Revelation. Our end of the bargain is to obey these Manifestations and accept the Divine Revelations.

The Lesser Covenant is the Covenant established by a Manifestation of God with His people (e.g. the Covenant of Moses, the New Testament of Jesus Christ, etc.).

Answer 8

a covenant is an agreement between two or more parties. In religious terms it can be seen in three ways: 1. an agreement with God that we as followers must oblige, 2. an agreement with God in which God is bound, or 3. an agreement with God in which both God and followers have responsibilities. The covenant can be broken if one or more parties fails to meet their end of the agreement.

Answer 9

A covenant is a contract or testament.

The Tanach (Christian Old Testament) is about God's covenant (Testament) with His people, Israel. A covenant must have two parties -- God and His people, Israel. Both have obligations that must be fulfilled. Circumcision is the sign of the Jewish covenant with God. It is eternal and binding. God does not renege on His promises.
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Answer 10

Read Hebrews chapter 9 and 10.
The NIV uses covenant in the place of the word testament.
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Answer 11

A covenant is a 2-way promise. Spiritually speaking, it is typically between a believer and God.