"In identifying biblical covenants according to form, one must always recognize: (1) biblical writers were selective in recording narrative descriptions of biblical covenants and (2) the contexts which show renewal and reaffirmation of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants do not always reflect a complete duplication of content, form or ceremony." 9 Hutchinson in his ThD dissertation notes that Lopez agrees stating "when speaking of historical treaties, it is best to refer to them as having similar elements, not identical forms." 8 J.C. While it is true the Israelites may have patterned their treaties after the ANE covenants, they are not identical in form or even substance in some cases. Often times, theologians and layman press into the scriptures the secular forms and attempt to interpret the scriptures with that presupposition in mind. Each of the companies might have similarities in form but are not identical this brings up an important point. This would be similar to various companies putting together a statement of work which would have a background, objectives, requirements, deliverables, and a timeline. Lopez notes six basic attributes, or characteristics of a covenant that the Hittites 7 used they are a preamble, historical prologue, stipulations, the document, the witness of the gods, and curses and blessings. In the ANE, covenants exhibited similar characteristics. The question then is not one of "if this will be fulfilled", but "when." Point being, the promise made by the master will be fulfilled regardless of the actions to whom the promise was made and in the Suzerain’s own timing. On the other hand, the promissory (which I will refer to as a Grant) binds the master to the servant while the promissory may have stipulations that the vassal would have to meet, there is no time component associated with it. The obligatory covenant (which I will refer to as Suzerainty) binds the servant to the master the servant is responsible to meet any obligations placed upon him in order to receive blessing or, if they fail to do so, receive cursing. More simply put, in each case, the parties involved are of unequal social status and the treaty is initiated by the Suzerain. While at other times "the promise is made unilaterally and unconditionally," 6 this is a promissory or Royal Grant covenant. In some cases the covenant was predicated upon "meeting certain conditions by the party to whom the promise was made " 5 this is what is referred to as an obligatory covenant or a Suzerainty treaty. While each type of suzerain-vassal overlapped in some respects, they were distinct by nature. ![]() In Israel and in the ancient Near East 3 there existed two basic types 4 of covenants, often referred together as Suzerain (Master) Vassal (Servant) treaties. The term for covenant in Hebrew, transliterated, is berit and comes from the root word bara, which means "to bind." 2 Thus a covenant is a binding pledge. I will conclude with the importance of each and how each of the covenants relates to the modern believer.Ī covenant at its core is, "a binding agreement between two parties." 1 It involves an oath or commitment between the two this as opposed to a mutual agreement or contract, both of which share characteristics of a covenant. Before beginning though it will be helpful to define what a covenant is and then more specifically what a Royal Grant and Suzerain Vassal treaty is and then compare and contrast this with the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. I will provide stipulations of each covenant, the time aspect, and the promised rewards and/or consequences of disobedience of each. ![]() I will evaluate the nature of each specifically how each can be likened to the ancient near eastern (ANE) Royal Grant and Suzerain Vassal treaties. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. Overview of The Abrahamic And Mosaic Covenants And Their Relationship To Ancient Near Eastern Treaties
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