Covenant Code

The Covenant Code refers to a specific body of legal material preserved in the book of Exodus, usually identified as Exodus 20:22–23:9. It is distinct from other Torah law collections, such as priestly or Deuteronomic laws, and reflects an earlier legal tradition. The laws address practical concerns including worship practices, property damage, personal injury, and social justice. They are framed within a covenant relationship and use legal styles common in the ancient Near East. Rather than presenting abstract principles, the Covenant Code regulates concrete situations, showing how covenant loyalty was expected to shape daily life and community order.