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Topical Encyclopedia

A blood covenant is a solemn agreement that is sealed with blood, signifying a binding and sacred relationship between the parties involved. In the biblical context, blood covenants are foundational to understanding God's relationship with humanity and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The concept of a blood covenant is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern culture and is prominently featured throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several examples of blood covenants, which often involve the shedding of blood as a symbol of life and death commitment. One of the earliest instances is found inGenesis 15, where God makes a covenant with Abram. In this passage, God instructs Abram to bring specific animals, cut them in half, and arrange the pieces opposite each other. As Abram falls into a deep sleep, God, represented by a smoking firepot and a flaming torch, passes between the pieces, signifying His unilateral commitment to the covenant: "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates'" (Genesis 15:18).

The Mosaic Covenant, established at Mount Sinai, is another significant example. InExodus 24, Moses reads the Book of the Covenant to the Israelites, and they respond by affirming their commitment to obey the LORD. Moses then takes the blood of sacrificed animals and sprinkles it on the people, declaring, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words" (Exodus 24:8). This act underscores the seriousness and binding nature of the covenant between God and Israel.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the ultimate fulfillment of the blood covenant through Jesus Christ. At the Last Supper, Jesus establishes the New Covenant with His disciples, using the elements of bread and wine to symbolize His body and blood. He declares, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20). The shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the requirements of the Old Covenant and inaugurating a new era of grace and redemption.

The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on the superiority of the New Covenant, emphasizing that Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). The author explains that the blood of Christ, unlike the blood of bulls and goats, has the power to cleanse the conscience and provide eternal redemption: "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14).

Theological Significance

The concept of a blood covenant is central to understanding the nature of God's promises and His relationship with humanity. It underscores the seriousness of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the depth of God's commitment to His people. The shedding of blood as a means of ratifying a covenant highlights the life-and-death stakes involved and the profound love and grace extended by God through Jesus Christ.

In the biblical narrative, blood covenants serve as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the assurance of His promises. They point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood secures eternal life for all who believe. As such, the blood covenant is a foundational theme that runs throughout Scripture, revealing the heart of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Topical Bible Verses

Mark 14:24
And he said to them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Topicalbible.org

Hebrews 12:24
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things that that of Abel.
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Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
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Hebrews 9:22
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
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Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Topicalbible.org

Library

TheBlood of theCovenant
... Chapter IX. TheBlood of theCovenant. "Behold theblood of thecovenant, which
the Lord hath made with you.""Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:20....

TheBlood of the EverlastingCovenant
... Then, again, theblood of thecovenant has relation to us as the objects of the
covenant, and that is its third light; it is not only a fulfillment as regards...

TheBlood of theCovenant
... TheBlood of theCovenant. A Sermon (No.1186). Delivered... By the shedding
of theblood thecovenant is turned into a testament. In...

The New Testament in theBlood of Christ; Or, the NewCovenant...
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 3 The new testament in theblood of Christ; or, The
newcovenant sealed. CM The new testament in theblood of...

Why Then Doth Christ Call the Bread "His Body", and the Cup "His...
... Lord's Day 29 Question 79 Why then doth Christ call the bread "his body", and the
cup "hisblood", or "the newcovenant in hisblood"; and Paul the "communion...

The New Testament in theBlood of Christ; Or, the NewCovenant...
... Hymns. Book 3. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. Hymn 3:3. The new testament
in theblood of Christ; or, The newcovenant sealed....

TheBlood of the Testament
... poor needy sinner, have nothing to do but to come and take Christ to be your
All-in-all, and put your trust in him, and theblood of thecovenant shall make...

The Voice of theBlood of Christ
... ghost, he did as much as say, "All things are made sure unto the seed by my giving
myself a victim." Come, saint, and see thecovenant allblood-bestained, and...

God'sCovenant with Abram
... Henceforth they had, as it were, one life. We have not here the shedding
of Abram'sblood, as in thecovenant of circumcision. Still...

TheBlood of Sprinkling
... The sprinkledblood very frequently signified the confirmation of acovenant.
So it... atonement. Whatcovenant is there withoutblood? If...