An Analysis of the Covenant Between God and Abraham in the Bible Essay

The covenant between God and Abraham is told twice throughout the book of Genesis in two very different versions, in both chapters 15 and 17. These two accounts of the covenant are quite necessary in that the facts are similar, but at the same time show distinctions about the God they worshiped, the actual covenant itself, and the relationship between Hebrew people and their God. The first distinction noted between the two is when the Lord first came to Abraham, and presented himself in two separate fashions. In chapter 15, the first account of the covenant, the Lord presented himself as a kind God, in which he said, Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield your reward shall be very great. (Genesis 151) In contrast, in chapter 17, the Lord came to Abram and stated I am God almighty walk before me and be blameless. (Genesis 171), presenting himself as a stern God. The actual covenants themselves are more different than the elements they share. The covenant in chapter 15 is defined as To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. (Genesis 1518-21) In chapter 17, the covenant talks nothing of land ownership rather it states every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant and uncircumcised male shall be cut off from his people he has broken my covenant. (Genesis 1710-14) Chapter 17 does however talk of land being given to Abraham and his offspring but not as an actual part of the covenant, but as a promise made to him and his offspring. These two separate versions of the covenant may have differed due the time each was written. The second version may have been more detailed and focused on circumcision because it was written after the birth of...

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