Notes on Covenant (New Bible Dictionary, IVP, 3rd Ed.)

Interesting...all of the terms associated with covenant in the OT are familiar to other Near Eastern treaties, except for "hesed" (covenant love).

Technical term is "karat berit" -- lit. "to cut a covenant" (since animal would be cut to mark the covenant)

Gen. 15, Ex. 24 both describe covenant ritual. Sacrifice of animal and covenant meal both clearly described in Ex. 24. Possible that Israelites gathered yearly to renew the covenant

In Near Eastern covenants, the relationship described as "father-son" when familiar, and "lord-servant" when more stern. Partners are called "brothers" if the relationship is between equal nations/partners

OT clearly familiar with Near Eastern treaties (both between equals and vassal treaties). Example of a vassal treaty in the OT -- Israelites and Gibeonites (Joshua 9-10)

"Not surprising" that the Lord used this form of relationship to give expression to his relationship with his people 

Early covenants between God and Noah (Gen 6, 9)
Patriarchal covenant (Gen 15, 17) God and Abraham -- descendants, promised land. Author of Exodus is concerned with describing Sinaitic covenant, but still emphasizes importance of this earlier covenant. One did not replace the other. They co-existed.

Siniatic covenant (Ex. 24)

Davidic covenant further extension of Sinaitic -- king now mediator between God and his people

In some sense, the Davidic covenant supersedes the other -- which is now seen as fulfilled (multiplication of people, land entered) -- now promise of eternal reign of Davidic descendants (2 Sam 7) See also Ps. 2 and Ps. 110

Upsurge of interest in covenant in Jeremiah (600 BC) and intertestamental times

In NT, Jesus, the paschal lamb, becomes the covenant "animal" (the sacrificial one) -- in Jesus, the curse of the Siniatic covenant lifted, and the Davidic covenant fulfilled

We see covenant broken in Ex. 32-34 (golden calf) and renewed by Moses. We see that Jeremiah viewed covenant as so broken it needed to be replaced by a new one (Jer. 31:31)

Eichrodt -- sees covenant as the central idea of the OT
Davidic covenant, Messianic expectations -- forms important link between OT and NT