sign, token, pledge, memorial
sign, token, pledge, memorial. Sign, pledge, visible memorial token verifying divine covenants (rainbow, circumcision, sabbath).
oath, curse, covenant execration
oath, curse, covenant execration. Solemn sworn curse attending covenant ratification; self-malediction invoked upon failure to maintain covenant obligations.
to know, perceive, choose
to know, perceive, choose. To know, ascertain, experience, perceive; in covenant context denotes experiential intimacy, recognition of authority, and divine election ('You only have I known').
to curse, bind with a curse
to curse, bind with a curse. To bind with a curse, pronounce judicial ban; applied to serpent and ground in Genesis 3, and to covenant breakers under law.
daughter, inhabitants (Daughter of Zion)
daughter, inhabitants (Daughter of Zion). Daughter; personified community of God's covenant people: Bat Tziyyon ('Daughter of Zion', Isaiah 52:2, Zechariah 9:9).
chosen one, elect
chosen one, elect. Chosen one, elect; designates covenant people, Moses the intercessor, David the royal shepherd, and Messianic Servant (Isaiah 42:1).
witness, testifying party, monument
witness, testifying party, monument. Witness, testifying person or memorial stones testifying to covenant oath taken before God (Genesis 31:48, Joshua 24:27).
ark, chest, Ark of the Covenant
ark, chest, Ark of the Covenant. Chest, ark; specifically Ark of the Covenant (Aron Ha-Berit) located in Holy of Holies, topped by Mercy Seat (Kapporet) and cherubim.
to forsake, leave, abandon covenant
to forsake, leave, abandon covenant. To depart from, abandon; used of human covenant unfaithfulness forsaking God and Torah, contrasted with God's promise never to forsake His people.
the LORD, Yahweh
the LORD, Yahweh. The proper covenant name of the God of Israel, the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), revealing God as the self-existent, eternally active, and covenant-faithful Redeemer ('I AM WHO I AM', Exodus 3:14). BDB: proper name of God of Israel, denoting Him who is continually present to redeem and fulfill His promises.
commandment, precept, charge
commandment, precept, charge. Commandment, precept, directive given by divine authority; specific stipulations of covenant law embodying the holy will of God.
Sabbath, day of rest, covenant sign
Sabbath, day of rest, covenant sign. The Sabbath day, holy seventh day of rest ordained at creation, enshrined in Decalogue, serving as perpetual sign of Mosaic Covenant.
oath, sworn covenant promise
oath, sworn covenant promise. Oath, sworn pledge; divine swearing by which God guaranteed Abrahamic Covenant ('oath which He swore to Abraham', Genesis 26:3).
father, forefather, patriarch
father, forefather, patriarch. Father, ancestor, founder of clan; God as Father of Israel ('Is not He your Father, who bought you?', Deuteronomy 32:6).
people, covenant nation, kin
people, covenant nation, kin. People, kinfolk, tribe; designates the covenant community of Israel ('My people', ammi), bound by covenant with Yahweh.
son, children, building block
son, children, building block. Son, building block of community; 'children of the captivity' (Ezra 6:16).
Amen, truly, so be it, verified truth
Amen, truly, so be it, verified truth. Liturgical confirmation of covenant curses and blessings, ratifying corporate agreement with God's word ('Amen and Amen', Psalm 41:13).
steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy
steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy. Covenant loyalty, lovingkindness, steadfast love, mercy; the core relational attribute of God by which He obligates Himself in grace to sustain His covenant promises.
earth, land, country, territory
earth, land, country, territory. The terrestrial sphere, dry land, earth in contrast to heaven; profoundly the promised land of Canaan given by covenant to Abraham and his seed.
to bless, kneel, adore, pronounce favor
to bless, kneel, adore, pronounce favor. To kneel, adore, pronounce blessing, bestow beneficial favor and life-vitality; God blessing creatures imparts fertility and covenant flourishing.
testimony, witness, covenant precept
testimony, witness, covenant precept. Testimony, solemn covenant witness; Two Tablets of Decalogue placed inside Ark ('Ark of the Testimony', Aron Ha-Edut) testifying to God's holiness.
brother, kinsman, fellow countryman
brother, kinsman, fellow countryman. Brother by blood or covenant kinship; duty of brotherly love, mutual aid, and protection of inheritance in Israel.
love, covenant affection
love, covenant affection. Love, affection, relational commitment; describes God's unprovoked love for Israel (Deuteronomy 7:8) and ardent marital covenant devotion.
man, mankind, Adam
man, mankind, Adam. Human being, humanity, collective mankind, and proper name of first man Adam; created on sixth day from dust of adamah, covenant head of race.
to cut, cut off, make covenant
to cut, cut off, make covenant. To cut, sever; idiomatically 'karat berit' means to cut a covenant, derived from slaughtering animals and passing between divided halves.
to fear, revere, stand in awe
to fear, revere, stand in awe. To fear, stand in reverent awe of God, dread divine majesty; foundation of covenant obedience and ethics.
to turn back, return, repent, restore
to turn back, return, repent, restore. To turn back, return, repent; theological center of Old Testament repentance, turning from sin and idolatry back to Yahweh and His covenant.
remnant, residue, survivors
remnant, residue, survivors. Remnant, survivors; faithful minority preserved through exile to inherit messianic promises and carry covenant forward.
covenant, treaty, solemn alliance
covenant, treaty, solemn alliance. A formal, legally binding compact or treaty sanctioned by oath and blood ceremony; the framework governing God's relation to creation, Israel, and David.
son, descendant, heir, member of class
son, descendant, heir, member of class. Son, male offspring; covenant heir; Israel as God's firstborn son (Exodus 4:22), and Davidic King as begotten Son (Psalm 2:7).
to love, desire, delight in
to love, desire, delight in. To love, delight in; commanded in Shema ('love the LORD your God with all your heart', Deuteronomy 6:5) and neighbor love (Leviticus 19:18).
to choose, select, elect
to choose, select, elect. To choose, select, decide upon; denotes God's sovereign, unmerited election of Abraham, Israel, David, Jerusalem, and the Servant.
birthright, primacy of inheritance
birthright, primacy of inheritance. Right of firstborn; sacred covenant inheritance traded by Esau for stew, obtained by Jacob (Genesis 25:31).
God, the Mighty One
God, the Mighty One. God, the Strong One; archaic Semitic designation of deity highlighting divine omnipotence, supremacy, and transcendence. Frequently in compound names (El Shaddai, El Elyon).
faithfulness, steadfastness, fidelity
faithfulness, steadfastness, fidelity. Firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, trust; the unwavering reliability of God in keeping His word, and the steadfast fidelity required of the righteous.