There are several biblical covenants—agreements—between God and man. What do Christians need to know about the Old Covenant and the New Covenant?
The biblical words most often translated "covenant" are berit in the Old Testament (appearing about 280 times) and diatheke in the New Testament (at least 33 times). The preferred meaning of this Old Testament word is bond; a covenant refers to two or more parties bound together.
The New Testament word for covenant has usually been translated as covenant, but testimony and testament have also been used. This Greek word basically means to order or dispose for oneself or another.
