Bible Dictionary
COVENANT, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
In the Old Testament, a covenant is a solemn and binding relationship established between people, or between God and people. God’s covenants included promises, obligations, signs, blessings, and consequences, and He always took the initiative in covenants with mankind.
Biblical Usage
God made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Israel, Levi, Phinehas, Joshua and Israel, David, Jehoiada, and others. God takes the initiative, while human obedience is required in covenants that include commands. The covenant at Sinai made Israel God’s peculiar people and was ratified by sacrifice and blood.