Illustration of the events described (1728)

According to the Hebrew Bible, the covenant of the pieces or covenant between the parts (Hebrew: ברית בין הבתרים, romanized: Brit Bein HaBetarim) is an important event in Jewish theology.[1] In this seminal event God revealed himself to Abraham and made a covenant with him (in the site known nowadays as Mount Betarim), in which God announced to Abraham that his descendants would eventually inherit the Land of Israel.[2]

This was the first of a series of covenants made between God and the Patriarchs.

Biblical narrative

The boundaries of the Land of Israel as defined in Genesis 15:18–21 showing the region which was promised to Abraham in the covenant of the pieces

According to the biblical story, in Genesis 15:1–4 Abram’s most important encounter is recorded when the Abrahamic God made a covenant with him. The day started with a vision where Abram expressed his concerns about being childless, thinking his estate will be inherited by Eliezer of Damascus, a servant of his. God then reminds him of his original promise to make him a father of a “great nation” and then revealed that he would have a son born to him. (Genesis 15:1–4)

Later that day, at the drawing of the evening, Abram fell into a deep sleep where he encountered God again. God then prophesied to Abram that the nation born to him would be removed to another land where they must be trialed for four hundred years and afterward, they would be greatly blessed with many possessions and occupy their own land. This prophecy was that of the Israelites in subjection to Egypt, for four hundred years, before returning back to Canaan to claim it as their own. (Genesis 15:12–18)

It was at this drawing of the night hour that Abram entered into a covenant with God who promised land his offspring would claim:

"To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."

—Genesis 15:18–21
The Vision of the Lord Directing Abram to Count the Stars (woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld from the 1860 Bible in Pictures)

The covenant was formalized as God commanded Abraham to divide livestock and poultry into two pieces.

Modern scholarship

Covenants in biblical times were often sealed by severing an animal, with the implication that the party who breaks the covenant will suffer a similar fate. In Hebrew, the verb meaning to seal a covenant translates literally as "to cut". It is presumed by Jewish scholars that the removal of the foreskin symbolically represents such a sealing of the covenant.[3]

Evolution of Covenant

From Biblical Roots to Contemporary Significance

In the biblical context, "to seal a covenant" signified a solemn and binding agreement between God and humanity. It represented a divine promise that was accompanied by specific rituals and obligations. For instance, the covenant between God and Abraham, as recounted in Genesis 15, involved animal sacrifices and a symbolic passage between the split pieces of the animals, symbolizing the irrevocable nature of the pact.

Over time, the concept of sealing a covenant extended beyond its biblical origins to encompass various cultural and social contexts. In ancient civilizations, covenants were often invoked to solidify alliances, establish peace treaties, and regulate trade agreements. The act of sealing a covenant often involved physical gestures, such as the exchange of objects or the performance of rituals, to reinforce the commitment and strengthen the bond between the parties involved.

In modern times, the term "to seal a covenant" has retained its symbolic significance, particularly in Jewish and Christian traditions. For Jews, the covenant represents the enduring relationship between God and the Jewish people, symbolized by the Torah and the observance of its laws. The concept of sealing a covenant underscores the reciprocal obligations of both parties – God's promise of protection and blessings in exchange for the Jewish people's adherence to divine commandments.[4]

In Christianity, the notion of sealing a covenant finds expression in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul the Apostle. Paul uses the imagery of a sealed document to represent the believer's salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is considered the "seal of approval" on the believer's heart, guaranteeing their inheritance in the kingdom of God.[5]

The modern understanding of sealing a covenant emphasizes its spiritual and personal dimensions. It represents a commitment to a set of values, principles, and beliefs that shape one's identity and guide one's actions. The act of sealing a covenant is often associated with significant life events, such as marriage, religious conversion, or personal commitments to self-improvement or social justice causes.

The evolution of the term "to seal a covenant" from its biblical origins to its contemporary usage reflects the enduring human need for connection, commitment, and a sense of belonging. It underscores the power of shared values, beliefs, and traditions in forging bonds between individuals, communities, and generations. In a world often characterized by division and uncertainty, the concept of sealing a covenant serves as a reminder of the potential for unity, purpose, and hope.”

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rosen, Jeremy (June 2008). "Differing and changing attitudes in the Jewish exegetical tradition to the fulfilment of the biblical land covenant". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. 71 (2): 189–202. doi:10.1017/S0041977X08000499. ISSN 1474-0699.
  2. ↑ Zeligs, Dorothy F. (1961). "Abraham and the Covenant of the Pieces: A Study in Ambivalence". American Imago. 18 (2): 173–186. ISSN 0065-860X. JSTOR 26301751.
  3. ↑ "Circumcision." Mark Popovsky. Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Ed. David A. Leeming, Kathryn Madden and Stanton Marlan. New York: Springer, 2010. pp.153-154.
  4. ↑ "Cutting Covenants | Religious Studies Center". rsc.byu.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  5. ↑ "The Signs and Seals of the Covenant". www.presenttruthmag.com. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
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