언약

[Easton] A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means “to cut,” and hence a covenant is a “cutting,” with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered “testament” generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be rendered, just as the word berith of the Old Testament, “covenant.” This word is used (1) of a covenant or compact between man and man (Gen. 21:32), or between tribes or nations (1 Sam. 11:1; Josh. 9:6, 15). In entering into a convenant, Jehovah was solemnly called on to witness the transaction (Gen. 31:50), and hence it was called a “covenant of the Lord” (1 Sam. 20:8). The marriage compact is called “the covenant of God” (Prov. 2:17), because the marriage was made in God’s name. Wicked men are spoken of as acting as if they had made a “covenant with death” not to destroy them, or with hell not to devour them (Isa. 28:15, 18). (2.) The word is used with reference to God’s revelation of himself in the way of promise or of favour to men. Thus God’s promise to Noah after the Flood is called a covenant (Gen. 9; Jer. 33:20, “my covenant”). We have an account of God’s covernant with Abraham (Gen. 17, comp. Lev. 26:42), of the covenant of the priesthood (Num. 25:12, 13; Deut. 33:9; Neh. 13:29), and of the covenant of Sinai (Ex. 34:27, 28; Lev. 26:15), which was afterwards renewed at different times in the history of Israel (Deut. 29; Josh. 1:24; 2 Chr. 15; 23; 29; 34; Ezra 10; Neh. 9). In conformity with human custom, God’s covenant is said to be confirmed with an oath (Deut. 4:31; Ps. 89:3), and to be accompanied by a sign (Gen. 9; 17). Hence the covenant is called God’s “counsel,” “oath,” “promise” (Ps. 89:3, 4; 105:8-11; Heb. 6:13-20; Luke 1:68-75). God’s covenant consists wholly in the bestowal of blessing (Isa. 59:21; Jer. 31:33, 34). The term covenant is also used to designate the regular succession of day and night (Jer. 33:20), the Sabbath (Ex. 31:16), circumcision (Gen. 17:9, 10), and in general any ordinance of God (Jer. 34:13, 14). A “covenant of salt” signifies an everlasting covenant, in the sealing or ratifying of which salt, as an emblem of perpetuity, is used (Num. 18:19; Lev. 2:13; 2 Chr. 13:5). COVENANT OF WORKS, the constitution under which Adam was placed at his creation. In this covenant, (1.) The contracting parties were (a) God the moral Governor, and (b) Adam, a free moral agent, and representative of all his natural posterity (Rom. 5:12-19). (2.) The promise was “life” (Matt. 19:16, 17; Gal. 3:12). (3.) The condition was perfect obedience to the law, the test in this case being abstaining from eating the fruit of the “tree of knowledge,” etc. (4.) The penalty was death (Gen. 2:16, 17). This covenant is also called a covenant of nature, as made with man in his natural or unfallen state; a covenant of life, because “life” was the promise attached to obedience; and a legal covenant, because it demanded perfect obedience to the law. The “tree of life” was the outward sign and seal of that life which was promised in the covenant, and hence it is usually called the seal of that covenant. This covenant is abrogated under the gospel, inasmuch as Christ has fulfilled all its conditions in behalf of his people, and now offers salvation on the condition of faith. It is still in force, however, as it rests on the immutable justice of God, and is binding on all who have not fled to Christ and accepted his righteousness. CONVENANT OF GRACE, the eternal plan of redemption entered into by the three persons of the Godhead, and carried out by them in its several parts. In it the Father represented the Godhead in its indivisible sovereignty, and the Son his people as their surety (John 17:4, 6, 9; Isa. 42:6; Ps. 89:3). The conditions of this covenant were, (1.) On the part of the Father (a) all needful preparation to the Son for the accomplishment of his work (Heb. 10:5; Isa. 42:1-7); (b) support in the work (Luke 22:43); and (c) a glorious reward in the exaltation of Christ when his work was done (Phil. 2:6-11), his investiture with universal dominion (John 5:22; Ps. 110:1), his having the administration of the covenant committed into his hands (Matt. 28:18; John 1:12; 17:2; Acts 2:33), and in the final salvation of all his people (Isa. 35:10; 53:10, 11; Jer. 31:33; Titus 1:2). (2.) On the part of the Son the conditions were (a) his becoming incarnate (Gal. 4:4, 5); and (b) as the second Adam his representing all his people, assuming their place and undertaking all their obligations under the violated covenant of works; (c) obeying the law (Ps. 40:8; Isa. 42:21; John 9:4, 5), and (d) suffering its penalty (Isa. 53; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13), in their stead. Christ, the mediator of, fulfils all its conditions in behalf of his people, and dispenses to them all its blessings. In Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24, this title is given to Christ. (See DISPENSATION.) [Smith] The Heb. berith means primarily “a cutting,” with reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals in two and passing between the parts in ratifying a covenant. (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18,19) In the New Testament the corresponding word is diathece (diatheke), which is frequently translated testament in the Authorized Version. In its biblical meaning two parties the word is used— Of a covenant between God and man; e.g. God covenanted with Noah, after the flood, that a like judgment should not be repeated. It is not precisely like a covenant between men, but was a promise or agreement by God. The principal covenants are the covenant of works—God promising to save and bless men on condition of perfect obedience—and the covenant of grace, or God’s promise to save men on condition of their believing in Christ and receiving him as their Master and Saviour. The first is called the Old Covenant, from which we name the first part of the bible the Old Testament, the Latin rendering of the word covenant. The second is called the New Covenant, or New Testament. Covenant between man and man, i.e. a solemn compact or agreement, either between tribes or nations, (Joshua 9:6,15; 1 Samuel 11:1) or between individuals, (Genesis 31:44) by which each party bound himself to fulfill certain conditions and was assured of receiving certain advantages. In making such a covenant God was solemnly invoked as witness, (Genesis 31:50) and an oath was sworn. (Genesis 21:31) A sign or witness of the covenant was sometimes framed, such a gift, (Genesis 21:30) or a pillar or heap of stones erected. (Genesis 31:52) [Nave] –Sacred Jos 9:18-21 ; Ga 3:15 –Binding Jos 9:18-20 ; Jer 34:8-21 ; Eze 17:14-18 ; Ga 3:15 –Binding, not only on those who make them, but on those who are represented De 29:14 , 15 –Blood of Ex 24:8 –Book of Ex 24:7 –The Mosaic law called a covenant Ex 34:28 –See CONTRACTS –See VOWS –OF MEN WITH MEN .Breach of, punished 2Sa 21:1-6 ; Jer 34:8-22 ; Eze 17:13-19 .National See ALLIANCES .Ratified By giving the hand Ezr 10:19 ; La 5:6 ; Eze 17:18 Loosing the shoe Ru 4:7-11 Written and sealed Ne 9:38 ; Jer 32:10-12 By giving presents Ge 21:27-30 ; 1Sa 18:3 , 4 By making a feast Ge 26:30 By a monument Ge 31:45 , 46 , 49-53 By salting Le 2:13 ; Nu 18:19 ; 2Ch 13:5 By offering a sacrifice Ge 15:9-17 ; Jer 34:18 , 19 By oath .See OATH .See CONTRACTS –INSTANCES OF .Abraham and Abimelech Ge 21:22-32 .Abimelech and Isaac Ge 26:26-31 .Jacob and Laban Ge 31:44-54 .Jonathan and David 1Sa 18:3 , 4 ; 20:16 , 42 ; 2Sa 21:7 .Jews with each other, to serve God 2Ch 15:12-15 ; Ne 10:28-32 .King Zedekiah and his subjects Jer 34:8 .Ahab with Benhadad 1Ki 20:34 .Subjects with sovereign 2Ch 23:1-3 , 16 –OF GOD WITH MEN .Confirmed with an oath Ge 22:16 ; 26:3 ; 50:24 ; Ps 89:35 ; 105:9 ; Lu 1:73 ; Heb 6:13 , 17 , 18 .Binding Le 26 ; Jer 11:2 , 3 ; Ga 3:15 .Everlasting Ge 8:20-22 ; 9:1-17 ; Ps 105:8 , 10 ; Isa 54:10 ; 61:8 .God faithful to Le 26:44 , 45 ; De 4:31 ; 7:8 , 9 ; Jud 2:1 ; 1Ki 8:23 ; Ps 105:8-11 ; 106:45 ; 111:5 ; Mic 7:20 .Repudiated by God on account of Jews’ idolatry Jer 44:26 , 27 ; Heb 8:9 .Broken by the Jews Jer 22:9 ; Eze 16:59 ; Heb 8:9 .Punishments for breaking of Le 26:25-46 –INSTANCES OF .Of the sabbath Ex 31:16 .Of the Ten Commandments Ex 34:28 ; De 5:2 , 3 ; 9:9 .With Adam Ge 2:16 , 17 .Noah Ge 8:16 ; 9:8-17 .Abraham Ge 12:1-3 ; 15 ; 17:1-22 ; Ex 6:4-8 ; Ps 105:8-11 ; Ro 9:7-13 ; Ga 3 .See CIRCUMCISION .With Isaac Ge 17:19 .Jacob Ge 28:13-15 .With the Israelites to deliver them from Egypt Ex 6:4-8 .With Phinehas Nu 25:12 , 13 .With Israel, at Horeb De 5:2 , 3 .In Moab De 29:1-15 .Of the Levites Ne 13:29 ; Mal 2:4 , 5 .With David 2Sa 7:12-16 ; 1Ch 17:11-14 ; 2Ch 6:16 .With David and his house 2Sa 23:5 ; Ps 89:20-37 ; Jer 33:21 .With his people Isa 55:3 ; 59:21 .To be confirmed Da 9:27 –THE SECOND COVENANT Jer 31:31-34 ; Heb 8:4-13 ; 12:18-24 ; 13:20 –OF MAN WITH GOD .Jacob Ge 28:20-22 .Joshua Jos 24:25 ; with 24:19-28 .Absalom 2Sa 15:7 , 8 .Jehoiada and Joash 2Ki 11:17 .Josiah 2Ki 23:3 .Asa 2Ch 15:12-15 .Nehemiah Ne 9:38 ; 10 .Israelites Jer 50:5 .See VOWS