Covenant

A covenant is a formal relationship defined through commitments and expectations, often between parties of unequal status. In the ancient Near East, covenants were used to structure relationships between gods and people as well as between rulers and their subjects, establishing authority, loyalty, and responsibility. Biblical texts draw on this existing tradition to describe the relationship between God and a people. Within this framework, God occupies the position of authority and initiates the covenant, setting its terms and purpose. The people are defined by their role within this relationship, which shapes communal identity, obligations, and future expectations. Covenants function as organizing structures that explain how divine authority and human responsibility are understood over time.